NO BUDGET JOY FOR OPERATORS
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PRE-BUDGET hopes of some reduction in road fuel duty were dashed on Tuesday by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. James Callaghan. Duty on petrol and diesel has been rounded up from 3s. 6.9d. to 3s. 7d. a gallon. The Chancellor admitted that this would yield him £1.75 m. a year.
Responsible operators are unlikely to derive much benefit from the 50 per cent refund of Selective Employment Tax on part-time adult employees (less than 21 hours a week) as it applies to service industries.
But irresponsible operators will be directly affected by the changes which the Chancellor announced that the Minister of Transport was proposing in the penalties for evasion in vehicle licence duties. The statutory fine will be increased and offenders will have to pay the duty payable since the vehicle was last licensed or changed hands.
On Wednesday a Ministry of Transport spokesman said that details of the penalties would be announced when the Finance Bill was published.