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16th March 2000, Page 8
16th March 2000
Page 8
Page 8, 16th March 2000 — COMMENT
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Summer of discontent

Next week we'll be reporting on the Budget and, unless we're much mistaken, we'll be giving you bad news—a 2-3% above-inflation increase on fuel duty is widely anticipated, while little if any downward movement is expected on VED.

So the RHA's report of a sympathetic hearing from the Transport Select Committee this week, though encouraging, is likely to be a case of too little, too late for many. Even if the MPs' report on competition does eventually emphasise the real plight of the sector, it isn't due for a couple more months...and even then there's no guarantee that its conclusions will be taken on board by the government.

By then, of course, it's likely that Gordon Brown will have raised taxes still further and, as last year, there will be precious little chance of the government undoing what has been done after the event.

It seems after all that the Industry Forum has been a great success—by achieving exactly the delay cynics suggested it was designed to achieve all along. Its circular discussions and lengthy enquiries have certainly brought nothing of substance: even the abandonment of the formal escalator process announced last autumn has yet to prove itself as having any real value.

And in the meantime, of course, British hauliers have continued to endure (or not, in many cases) another year of untenably high fuel costs, rip-off VED rates and a playing field so unlevel it's a wonder any of them can stay on it at all.

So CM has this last-minute appeal for Gordon Brown: it's time to deliver, Mr Brown, and March 21 is D-Day. A solid reduction in the tax burden British hauliers face must be delivered, and delivered now, if you are not to endure a spring, summer, autumn and winter of discontent.

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People: Gordon Brown

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