• The Freight Transport Association is calling for an immediate
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sign from the government that it will cut fuel duty for goods vehicles after the Chancellor announced that extra money would be given to pensioners.
Last week, the FTA put its case for a 15p/lit reduction in diesel duty for trucks to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. FTA director-general David Green said that they had a "frank exchange about the impact of fuel prices on margins and competitiveness".
He says: "There are signs that the
Government has turned up its hear ing. But what I would ask the Chancellor now is, if he can make mid-term announcements about investment in pensions, why can't he do the same for fuel?"
According to Green, a 15plit reduction for all goods vehicles would bring British diesel duty broadly in line with North Western Europe "and cost the Chancellor 11.69bnmarginally more than under the Conservative Party's proposal for an across-the-board cut of 3p/lit".
As
Commercial Motor went to press, Lord Macdonald was about to speak at the FTA's fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.