Fuel Duty "Still No Progress on Foreign Competition" says the Road Haulage Association

LONDON, March 24, 2010 - While acknowledging that the Chancellor's decision to stagger the 1ppl
(plus inflation) increase in fuel duty planned for April 1 is a step in the
right direction, there is still a very long way to go according to the RHA.

"With a General Election bearing down on us, the last thing Mr Darling
wants to do is alienate the vote-casting road user", said RHA Chief Executive
Geoff Dunning.

"However", he continued, "road hauliers are voters too. Although we are
to see a lower increase in fuel duty than was expected, the long term future
for the UK haulage industry still looks grim.

"We are still paying the highest level of duty in Europe, we are still
facing harsh competition from our European counterparts who contribute
nothing to operate on UK roads, and for many operators there is still the
prospect of imminent bankruptcy.

"We have been promised repeatedly that the Government will address the
situation regarding foreign lorries, yet increasing fuel duty by even one
penny just makes matters worse".

Road Haulage Association - phone us first.

www.rha.uk.net

For more details, contact RHA Head of Media Relations, Kate Gibbs on
Tel: +44-(0)-1932-838917, Mob:+ 44-(0)-7979-531451, www.rha.uk.net