Birmingham, UK: Logistics UK chief executive David Wells has fired the starting gun on a campaign calling on the government to slash fuel duty again in the face of ever-rising diesel costs for operators.
Wells told a conference session at last week’s Multimodal conference (14 June 2022) how now could be the time to campaign for a further cut in fuel duty, less than three months after the five pence per litre cut announced by the Chancellor in March. Wells told delegates how HM Treasury was taking up to 8% more per litre of diesel from combined fuel duty and VAT receipts, meaning there is scope for the Chancellor to cut fuel duty by a further 6p per litre.
“Rising costs are no doubt on everyone’s minds and as we find ourselves recovering from the global pandemic, we’re now faced with a cost crisis with average fuel prices at the highest level on record,” said Wells. “They are amongst our members’ biggest costs.”
To counter the twin pressures of rising fuel costs and wage inflation, Wells suggested that now could be a good time to review Logistics UK’s policy and call for that further cut in fuel duty.
“We’re going to be testing this with our members and some other ideas in the coming months as we seek to lobby on your behalf for a reduction in fuel costs,” he said.
The issue will be discussed during the current round of Freight Councils taking place between 21 June and 8 July 2022.
