ROGER WILLIAMS MP MEETS WITH LOCAL HAULIERS ON FUEL DUTY LOBBY

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, yesterday met Mike and Simon Gough of AE Gough, Llandrindod Wells, and Gethyn Powell, Phil Davis and Tony Jones, all hauliers from the Brecon area, who had travelled to Westminster to take part in the lobby of parliament on the issue of fuel duty.

After meeting with local hauliers, Mr Williams said:

“The hauliers made a very strong case as to the effect that sharply rising fuel prices were having on their business.

“Diesel prices have gone up by nearly 30pence in the last 12 months meaning that they needed to increase their rates by 18% to stay in business.

“While they all recognise the major problem lay with oil now selling at over $140 a barrel, a number of proposals have been put forward by the Road Hauliers Association (RHA) to mitigate the biggest problems.

“Proposals to have a fuel tax regulator have been considered but are very complicated to administer. The RHA are advocating an ‘essential user rebate’ on fuel duty for hauliers, similar to that already in existence to bus operators.

“I will be taking the concept of an essential user rebate to our party’s transport team to get their response.

“It seems a simple and direct measure to support an industry that is in crisis but it will need to be assessed against the cost to the national exchequer."

Ends/diwedd

Publish date: 3rd July 2008
Modified: 3rd July 2008

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