The Budget presents positives and negatives for transport - RHA MD

Over the last couple of months, we've been working on behalf of our members and the industry ahead of the Chancellor’s Budget. We’ve met with MPs, Ministers and stakeholders across the country, and we’ve been consistent that the Government's long-term vision for growth cannot be achieved without supporting our sector – a sector that’s crucial to Britain’s economic health.

Yesterday’s budget offered a mixed picture for HGV, LVG and Coach operators. There were some positive developments, and some not so welcome.

I’ve been clear that raising fuel duty would have been catastrophic for many operators with diesel prices here already higher than any European state. It would have been a disaster for the economy too. With operating costs increasing and margins tightening in recent times, the last thing businesses needed was a rise in fuel duty.

So, we are pleased the Chancellor listened to the concerns of our members on this. Thank you again to the hundreds of RHA members who wrote to their MPs, shared our social media posts and spread the word. I firmly believe that this work and our continued collaboration played a significant role in ensuring that fuel duty remains frozen and the 5-pence-per-litre price cut has been extended.

We also welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to increasing the employment support allowance for small businesses to £10,500 which is a record amount.

The announcement on a rise in employers’ national insurance to 15% is however unwelcome as this will impact operators in an industry where 95% are small and medium sized companies who could do without this additional expense.

Our infrastructure and roads investment campaigning continues and the continuation of key work on strategic roads such as the A47, A57 and A75 is welcome, but we remain concerned about delays and cancellations to significant road projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing.

We’re pleased with the additional £500m allocated to local road maintenance - allocated for potholes, however it’s vital that local authorities receive long term road maintenance funding to enable better planning and scheduling of essential roads.

Economic growth will only be achieved with investment in the infrastructure to support it. Whilst we await further announcements on key projects, we urge Government to ensure that it backs new infrastructure projects that eliminate congestion, connect the country, and unlock growth.

On business rates reforms, businesses in our sector need a system that supports growth and incentivises success, doesn’t punish it. We have some concerns on this, and we'll continue to engage with the Treasury to ensure that our industry is not unfairly penalised by new changes.

Partnership and collaboration between industry and government is key. This work continues. Whilst the budget offered a mixed picture, there are positives to take, and we will continue our work engaging with decision makers in the weeks and months ahead.