Where would the industry be without the FairFuelUK campaign?
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MY DAYS OF lambasting our associations for their lack of initiative and resolve to address the issue of rising fuel duty and fuel prices is now long past. But please, ask yourself this question as we approach 2013: where would duty and fuel prices be without the efforts of Peter Carroll and the FairFuelUK team?
It pleases me greatly when I see fuel duty being held or frozen, and questions being asked in Parliament into how these increases affect our industry and the UK economy.
Like you, I see what a co-ordinated and well thought-out approach to the subject can achieve.
Do remember if you will — there are those among our ranks who attempted to gain the ear of government by not quite the same subtle approach, but nevertheless presented documented evidence to 10 Downing Street on two occasions, informing politicians of the disastrous effects of increasing duty rates on our particular industry.
As we know these words went unheeded and, as we have seen, many haulage firms went to the wall and many more jobs were lost. Some just gave up the fight, but most have been forced out of business, mainly due to the high cost of road fuel.
I was once told by my own association, Carroll and a professional team that to address the issue would be "too expensive".
For those haulage firms that eventually come through what I like to call the "Duty Wars", lasting from 1999 to the present day, we only have team1,I,UK to thank! Very professional and, when you consider what they have saved the industry, not that expensive!
The associations must, at all times, be encouraged by their members to maintain the level of funding that exists today, until common sense on fuel duty for users of CVs prevails. Thank you 1,I,UK for your efforts!
Mike Presneill Presneill Tipper Contractors