RHA Recovery Group says "Give us a break Mr Livingstone"
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RHA to Unite in Industry Day of Action
As part of the industry day of action planned for 2nd July, the Road Haulage Association will be joining forces with other protest groups, primarily to support the Fuel Price Regulator amendment to the Finance Bill (expected to be debated at that time) and also the seek the introduction of an Essential User Rebate.
The lobby will commence at 11.30am in Old Palace Yard (opposite the House of Commons) until approx 1.00pm after which time members will be seeking meetings with their MPs to highlight the issues in person.
The Fuel Price Regulator seeks to offset the increase in VAT receipts received by Government as a result of the rising price of fuel with a corresponding reduction in fuel duty and would, the RHA believes, help stabilise fuel costs for hauliers.
"This is a unique oppportunity for the industry", said RHA Chief Executive Roger King. "It was always our intention to lobby Parliamentarians in support of the Regulator on the day the debate was expected to take place. Our information is that this will be 2nd July which is why we are combining with others to make the maximum impact.
"This lobby goes beyond merely seeing MPs and demanding help. This time we can actually focus on a debate about our industry and ask for positive support and I am delighted that the RHA has played such an imrportant part in getting this debate heard".
In addition to publisising the amendment, the event also provides the perfect opportunity to promote the plight of the haulliers in Parliament and call Government to account over what it proposes to do. "We also want to highlight the difference between petrol and diesel prices which we think is worthy of close scrutiny by Government," concluded Roger King. "We want to see changes made to ensure parity of price between the two".
The Association has circulated a specimen letter to all members for them to send to their constituency MP.
DRAFT LETTER FOR RHA MEMBERS TO SEND TO THEIR CONSTITUENCY MPs
Dear Member of Parliament,
As a constituent of yours, and as a member of the Road Haulage Association, I will be taking part in a lobby of Parliament on Wednesday 2nd July on the issue of record high fuel prices. I would like to meet with you during the afternoon in order to discuss the following,
the abandonment of the 2p per litre fuel duty increase set for October,the introduction of an essential user fuel duty rebate for HGVs,
action to bring down the cost of diesel to that of petrol,
the introduction of a fuel duty regulator as proposed in an amendment to the Finance Bill by the SNP and currently before Parliament.
As a haulier you should know that my business is at risk from the ever-rising price of fuel. I am finding it almost impossible to finance my escalating fuel bills and recover the true cost from my customers.
The airlines levy a surcharge before their customers fly. The bus industry receives a rebate. The railways pay little duty. Alone, the vital haulage industry, responsible for the movement of 90 per cent of the UK’s needs, is engaged in a mighty struggle to keep its wheels moving.
I am asking for your help, not just for my business, but also for the sake of the nation.
I look forward to meeting with you on 2nd July.
I look forward to meeting with you during the afternoon of the 2nd July.
Yours sincerely
