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144 
BHA to lobby Brown on VED
Page 11
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by Miles Brignall Hauliers are unlikely to see any repeat of last year's concessions in Chancellor Gordon Brown's preBudget statement this year because recent events have depleted the Treasury's coffers.
Huge bills resulting from the foot and mouth outbreak, a downturn in the economy and the war in kIghanistan are sure to impact on the Chancellor's Budget plans, which are due to be announced in Le next few weeks.
Although the major fiscal deci;ions are usually announced at the uctual Budget in March, the kutumn statement usually includes 'Ave details of Rely tax changes.
Last November Brown was forced to make a statement about fuel duty as the protesters' 60lay deadline had come and gone. ie duly announced help for the ndustry, most notably in the form VED reform.
However, while haulier's are Inlikely to be given any firm figures :his year it would be a surprise if the Chancellor made no mention of fuel duties at all.
We are looking at a freeze in duty as a very minimum," says Roger King. chief executive of the Road Haulage Association.
"We've gone from being in a class of our own to still being right at the top of the tax class in Europe—the Chancellor needs to remember that," he adds.
King points out that all the government's recent statements have suggested the economy is operating in accordance with its predictions. He promises that the RHA will be lobbying to ensure hauliers don't end up paying for any shortfall.
The date of the pre-Budget statement has yet to be announced.