RHA response after Kemi Badenoch raises fuel duty concerns at PMQs

Road haulage underpins 81% of all UK freight movement, yet businesses in the industry are working on margins of less than 2%. The RHA is again calling on the Government to halt the planned reversal of the 5p fuel duty cut in September, and the inflation-linked increases scheduled from April 2027.

RHA MD Richard Smith said:

“We welcome Kemi Badenoch raising fuel duty at Prime Minister’s Questions today, questioning whether increasing fuel costs is the right decision during ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

“The Chancellor must change course on fuel duty. We have been saying this for many months. The politics has finally caught up with the reality our HGV and coach members live every day.

"Our members are operating on thin margins. Any fuel cost is a threat to the future of businesses in the supply-chain, the coach sector and the wider economy. We’ve asked to urgently meet with the Chancellor so we can discuss why we're calling for an immediate fuel duty cut, a temporary cut on fuel VAT, and mandatory 30-day payment terms to address cash-flow challenges in our sector.”