Fuel duty freeze comes as a shot in the arm for commercial vehicle operators

3rd March 2021

The key focus of today’s Budget concentrated on business recovery as a result of the impact of Coronavirus.

Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “This has been a Budget that is good for business and good for people.

“The Chancellor’s announcement of a fuel duty freeze for the 11^th year in succession comes as very good news for the hundreds of thousands of commercial vehicle operators who have been struggling as a result of the pandemic.”

During the first wave of the virus, 12 months ago, the RHA carried out an industry survey and was dismayed to learn that 50% of the UK’s commercial vehicle fleet was off the road.

Today’s news will come as a shot in the arm, not only for hauliers but also coach operators, hit hard by cancellations, social distancing and reduced demand from schools and events.

The RHA also welcomes the extension of the furlough scheme until the end of September.

Concluding, Richard Burnett said: “As with every Budget, it contains much more detail than first meets the eye but overall, we consider it to be a Budget based on optimism and right now, that’s something that we all need.

-ENDS-