FairFuelUK prepares for second stage of battle
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By Laura Hailstone PHASE TWO OF the FairFuelUK campaign kicked off this week with a push for one million signatures to the petition that successfully saw the April duty rise abandoned.
“We’re back with the support of the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and have redefned our aims,” says founder Peter Carroll.
“From our base of 150,000 signatures, we’re now aiming for a million,” adds Carroll.
Quentin Willson remains on board and is pushing FairFuelUK’s new goals, which are: to stop any increases in fuel duty in this Parliament; for fuel prices to be in line with the average in Europe; and to introduce an effective fair fuel price stabiliser.
The RHA and the FTA have both committed to funding FairFuelUK until December.
FTA chief executive Theo de Pencier tells CM: “Phase one of the campaign was great at focusing the government’s and the public’s minds on the road transport industry and articulating our plight. Stopping the April duty rise was our primary goal and we won the battle. But now the war continues.
“There are a bunch of duty rises
in the pipeline so we need to persuade the 140 MPs who signed the petition to lobby for these future
rises to be abandoned too,” adds de Pencier.
RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning says phase one built up a substantial base of support in Parliament that must be built on. “Since the Budget, oil prices have gone up and they will continue to do so. Very high fuel prices damage not just hauliers, but the UK economy as well.
“We need every haulier to get as many people as possible to sign the petition, while keeping the pressure on their local MP,” says Dunning.
● To support the campaign, go to: www.fairfueluk.com
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