PRA chairman Brian Madderson believes his call for a cut in fuel duty is gaining traction after a meeting with Treasury officials.
Following the meeting he said he now “trusts that the Chancellor is warming to the idea of a fuel duty cut and that his autumn statement will set the economy on the road to prosperity”.
In a letter the Chancellor ahead of the autumn statement on November 23 Madderson said: “A fuel duty cut will provide a reassuring boost to businesses and consumers alike.”
He said with the economy facing the twin challenges of a weaker pound and a stronger oil price, forecourt bosses say consumers need more money in their pockets to keep the economy resilient.
“As I write”, said Madderson, “the pound is down 27 cents on the dollar on the year, and the price of a barrel of Brent crude is up 4.0% on the year.”
The letter goes on to state that the Treasury is enjoying a £1bn duty windfall from petrol and diesel sales this year.
Madderson also states: “The very rapid growth of online deliveries is one of the cornerstones of the UK’s economic improvement. Road usage by Light Goods Vehicles (LGV) rose by a 6.3% in 2015.
“Pump prices are hitting consumers hard, resulting in an estimated £5bn reduced spend by consumers on an annualised basis. Average pump prices are 117ppl today compared to 114ppl in January 2016.
“The Treasury could regain up to £1bn in revenue by collecting more fuel duty from long haul hauliers. Foreign and returning UK hauliers are filling up on the continent due to lower diesel duty (20 to 30% lower in Belgium and Luxembourg). Lower fuel prices in the UK would mean more money comes to the UK Treasury. The Border Force and DVSA could be given powers to fine lorries that are found to be overloaded with fuel, beyond say 300 litres.”
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