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GIVE US A CHANCE Two signified-I t r ' r-. S happened recently.

4th April 2002, Page 20
4th April 2002
Page 20
Page 20, 4th April 2002 — GIVE US A CHANCE Two signified-I t r ' r-. S happened recently.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

In the first instance the FTA called on the Chancellor to peg diesel duty, by a strange coincidence delivering the same message that those of us involved in the fuel protests were delivering 18 months ago: namely, UK hauliers pay more tax than any of their EU competitors.

What a shame that the FTA could not have supported us during the fuel protests which would have shown great solidarity in the industry.

Solidarity at that time would have helped an industry on its knees to have brought the point home much sooner than it did.

The other significant thing that has happened is the announcement that the Chancellor has a £4bn hole in his revenue from corporation tax receipts. Little wonder as British companies struggle to compete in the global marketplace. The major thrust during the fuel protests was the issue of "competitiveness" for the haulage industry in the UK and the competitiveness of UK plc as a whole.

As a nation you must compete on tax in the global economy to survive. Yet the past 18 months have seen the demise of yet more hauliers who could not or did not want to struggle to survive in the marketplace. Equally we have seen the continued meltdown of UK manufacturing industries.

All because they could not compete against competition from both the EU and wider global markets. The UK cost base is too high, and high taxes will ensure it stays too high, forcing manufacturing industry in the UK to migrate.

Al! the issues that caused us problems at the time of the fuel protests persist today. Except for a little help on VED, nothing much has changed.

The Chancellor needs to recognise that fact when he considers his position on taxation in his forthcoming Budget. He must not consider increasing the duty on fuel for the haulage industry, or indeed increasing the tax rate from the haulage industry in the UK. If he does, then I am sure the protests will kick off again; I for one will protest for the protection of our business and our industry. I am sure that many others feel the same way.

We are no longer prepared to take the kickings that have been doled out to us in the past by successive governments.

The government has to realise, sooner rather than later, that as the influx of foreign trucks continues they must raise revenue from these to level the playing field— otherwise it will be too late. Clive Gayland,

Dewsbury.

Tags

Organisations: European Union
People: Clive Gayland

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