News

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has called on the government to tackle the real issues affecting the road haulage industry rather than just "tinkering round the edges".

The call comes after the Department for Business, Education and Regulatory Reform's (BERR) aid package for the automotive industry went live on 11 March, making £2.3bn of loan facilities available to the industry.

The scheme applies to companies in the UK automotive sector and its supply chain with a turnover above £25m, but FTA director of communications Jo Tanner says there is much more the government can do.

"Obviously we welcome any programme that will help the supply chain, but there are bigger things the government can do to help the road haulage sector. This scheme is just tinkering round the edges."

Tanner admits there are big problems facing the automotive sector in the UK, and therefore those involved in the supply chain of the sector are under pressure.

"However, there are issues facing the entire logistics industry and there are practical solutions the government could  introduce now," she adds. "These include reducing fuel duty for commercial operators and abandoning plans for price increases from government agencies, such as the proposed increase in VOSAtesting charges."

The FTA's ideas will be presented to the government in its Pre-Budget submission.