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The opening salvo
Page 20
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With the launch of the Burns inquiry into freight taxes the industry has a chance to put - forward its case once and for all. Oil
Dominic Perry reports.
When the Burns Freight Taxes Inquiry was launched last month, chairman Robbie Burns promised to build a case to finally convince the government of the industry's plight. He appealed for hard evidence of how the industry is being hurt by high fuel taxes and cutprice foreign competition.
The ultimate aim is to win concessions from a government that has proved notoriously indifferent to the plight of the road transport industry except when direct action forces its hand.
One of the tools the inquiry will be using is a seven-page question naire covering everything from a general description of your business to those crucial questions about fuel and foreign hauliers.
Sensitive In a letter accompanying the questionnaire Burns explains: "With oil prices at an all-time high, those of us that carry goods by road are very sensitive to prices, taxes and costs.
"But the government has scrapped its plans to level the playing field by taxing foreign registered commercial vehicles that operate on UK roads.The framework to decouple fuel duty on trucks from fuel duty on cars has also been abandoned.
"[The inquiry] will gather evidence on the impact of the govern ment's decision and what we should do about it.
"To do this I need your help. My inquiry needs to gather factual information from all types of operators, irrespective of size and sector, whose businesses are being affected by the key issues "The analysis of the results will form the core of an independent report to the government articulating the industry's voice. For once the whole industry has an opportunity to speak with a clear voice and by completing this questionnaire your views can really be heard, so please take this opportunity to contribute."
Burns adds: "It's important not to see it in isolation — there will be face-to-face debates as well."
For a copy of the questionnaire contact:The Burns Inquiry, PO Box 259,TN2 9BS or 0870011333l ;questionnaires are also available online at www.freight-taxe.s.co.uk •