Some hauliers still await VED rebates
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by Guy Sheppard Chancellor Gordon Brown has infuriated an East Yorkshire owner-driver by claiming in his Budget speech that hauliers have already received rebates on their Vehicle Excise Duty.
Man Hussey, who runs two 4.1-tonners, says he is still owed £2,500 more than three months after the rebate was promised.
Hussey. who works with his son, says he has not suffered any financial hardship through the delay but adds: "The money is better in my bank account than the government's.
"It is the principle of the thing—I have been making phone calls every week for the past six to seven weeks.
We have to pay our taxes on time but it does not seem to work the other way round," he says. "All they have to do is press a button and the computer will bring up the information about how much everyone is owed."
Hussey's problem does not seem to be widespread, however. Mike Farmer, Midlands and Western regional director of the Road Haulage Association, says: The majority of members we have spoken to say it is done and dusted. We have got the odd one who has not had the money yet."
Brown said: "Since last November lorry owners have already received rebates for up to half of this year's licence fee: a total of £220m."