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RHA positive about meeting with new Transport Secretary

10th June 2010, Page 10
10th June 2010
Page 10
Page 10, 10th June 2010 — RHA positive about meeting with new Transport Secretary
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THE ROAD HAULAGE Association (RHA) has met with new Transport Secretary Philip Hammond in an effort to begin developing a "constructive relationship" between the haulage industry and the coalition government.

A formal note to Hammond from RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning has already been sent. but RNA policy director Jack Semple met face-to-face with the head of the transport department at a constituency event.

Semple describes Hammond as "pretty sharp" and "very clearminded': but that the event did not allow for in-depth discussion about transport policy "I think Hammond will have an understanding of a lot of the issues." he says "What we are keen to see is how rounded that comprehension is and if there are any gaps" Hammond has indicated that industry representatives should not approach the government with a 'shopping list' of needs. but Semple says: "We have taken that on board, at the same time we have said 'please don't take any more money out of the industry:" The trade association's submission to Chancellor George Osborne (see CM 3 June), ahead of the emergency Budget on 22 June, urges the government to introduce a fuel-price stabiliser following reports that the plan has been abandoned. It also calls for the "unfair" duty burden on UK hauliers to he brought into line with EU competitors through some form of road-charging mechanism, a plan that the RHA says is recognised in the Coalition Programme.

"This moves the Treasury's position from where we were under Labour they really didn't recognise the unfair deal," Semple says. "That is explicitly recognised in the new programme. I think that's a change in position from the last government and quite a significant one."

Meanwhile, Freight Transport Association (ETA) chief executive Theo de Pencier has written to all four of the new transport ministerial team and will be meeting with Hammond "in advance of the next spending review".

"The FTA already has good relationships with Theresa Villiers and Norman Baker following preelection meetings, and will be looking to do the same with Hammond and Mike Penning in due course," says an VIA spokesman.


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