Hauliers lose out on aid
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FREIGHT FORWARDERS and agents have been given a boost by the Government's shake-up of regional aid.
But hauliers have been left out in the cold by last week's decision to extend the regional development grants only to selected service industries.
Under the new policy of allowable activities, those eligible in the transport industry are "freight brokers and other agents facilitating freight transport, not including porterage or messenger services".
When talking elsewhere about what qualifies, the new rules specifically exclude haulage and distribution.
A range of service activities has previously been eligible for selective financial help from the Government but this is the first time that they have been able to apply for automatic grants in Britain's unemployment black spots.
According to Road Haulage Association secretary Len Harper, none of its members have contacted the RHA to complain about the lack of grants.