Freighters slam fuel taxation rise

Date: 1st April 2009

The freight industry has slammed the government's decision to drive up fuel taxation considering the state of the UK economy.

Representatives from the Freight Transport Association (FTA) claim that the 1.84p taxation increase will represent a £1,000 rise in running costs for logistics firms and could push many out of business.

Chief executive of the FTA, Theo de Pencier, described the government's decision as "a shower of hammer blows" to the logistics industry.

He said: "What they are saying by their actions is that they don't care about the more than two million people up and down the UK who work in this sector and keep the economy moving."

Mr de Pencier added that this may not be the last increase the industry sees in the coming weeks, referring to the upcoming budget announcement on April 22nd, when the Treasury would have "another bite of the cherry".

More than 50 MPs have signed a motion to support UK logistics companies hit by the recession.