Rod McKenzie, Executive Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RHA, said : “UK hauliers have done a heroic job in keeping the economy running during the Covid crisis.

“Punishing them with a red diesel hike tax is damaging to their business and we urgently call on the government to reconsider this move.”

Cost pressures

With shortages of drivers, vehicles and parts combined with increasing wage, fuel, and energy costs, now is not the time to pile on extra costs on small businesses and put our economic recovery at risk.

The costs of operating a 44-tonne truck have increased by nearly 17% in the past year. As the global oil price and demand for fuels increases, we have near record diesel prices compounded by an 18% increase in driver wages.

Small hauliers operating on thin margins simply cannot cope with the added pressure of the loss of the red-diesel rebated fuel in April which would add over 1% in running costs for a lorry.

The lifeblood of the UK economy

Despite severe financial challenges, hauliers across the country have remained focused on delivering a resilient supply chain. Government must now support them as they grapple with rising energy prices and high inflation.

They are the lifeblood of the UK economy and vital to the success and future growth of British industry.