FTA slams £1,000 permit scheme
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• The introduction of a new motorway permit in five EC states will discriminate against UK operators, warns the Freight Transport Association. It is calling on the Government to oppose the vignette scheme.
Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Luxembourg plan to make the £1,000 permit mandatory for every goods vehicle from next year, but tax concessions are expected to nullify its effects on their national operators. Germany, for example, will reduce Vehicle Excise Duty; Denmark will follow suit and also promises cuts in other operator-targeted taxes.
"UK operators should be allowed to reclaim a rebate for the cost of the permit," says the FTA. "It's one thing to introduce a levy to cover the use of vehicles on their roads, but it's quite another to reduce the excise on your own vehicles so they won't have to pay.