When I started thinking about this blog my intention was to absolutely avoid talking about diesel prices. However I'm going to have to start with an apology, because that's the thing that seems to be on my mind at the moment (and quite a lot of other peoples too!)
Coming from an agricultural background, the thing that was drummed into us over the years was controlling the cost of inputs as a major way of achieving the desired profit! However in this case I don't think that's the total answer, there is very little I can do about fuel prices other than shopping around to get the best deal on my fuel cards! And to be honest there has never been a lot the haulier can do about prices! I'm sure that even the Boris Johnson effect won't frighten Gordon Brown into cutting fuel taxes - and if he did he would still need to get the revenue from somewhere else!
I read an interesting post on TruckNet UK today, it was an article from Truck & Driver from 1996, diesel had risen to the dizzy heights of 47ppl, rates weren't going up to match it, a fuel protest had been organised but only 21 lorries turned up , it seemed depressingly similar to the current situation.
So in a week that started with all my fuel cards quoting over a pound a litre, the only way out as far as I can see is to put the rates up. Now I know that my customers will moan and squeal but as I often point out to them, It's the EU's job to subsidise farming not mine and all I'm asking is to be able to make a small profit on the jobs I do - I'm certainly not expecting to be a millionaire this time next year ! I'll leave that to Del Boy and Rodney.
Denis Fuller is a owner-operator based in the South West, running a single truck on livestock and agricultural haulage
Comments (2)
well it finally happened,I was made redundant due to ever increasing costs imposed by the government. I hope Mr Brown is pleased, I find myself unable to find a job in the industry i love working in, favored for cheaper foreign workers put forward by the recruitment companies that now serve the industry. When the small company i worked for had to stop trading as it could no longer keep up with everything i thought finding a job as a truck driver would be easy, with all the agencies screaming for drivers. Only they don't want to pay for good quality British drivers but still charge a huge amount to companies using their service. The thought of becoming an owner driver is no longer viable with all the cost involved now days. so where from here to keep a roof over my head, as a fit, young , healthy, white British male theres not much hope for me in this country under the fantastic labor government, thanks very much gordon and tony!!!!
Posted by kevin rose | May 31, 2008 10:04 PM
Posted on May 31, 2008 22:04
Brown’s speech offers nothing for Fleet operators
Gordon Brown’s speech to the Labour Party conference today contained nothing to offer hope to hard-pressed Fleet operators, according to The Fuelcard People.
Steve Clarke, general manager of The Fuelcard People, said: “Fleets have seen fuel costs rocket under Mr. Brown, but this vital industry seems less important to the prime minister than trying to save his job. Losing three by-elections and four junior ministers this year should be enough to tell him that people want effective action, now, to improve the economic situation. In particular, Fleet operators want something done about the price of fuel, which is such a key element in their operating costs. Even a temporary cut in the high rate of fuel duty would help.”
Steve Clarke has better insight than most into the concerns of Fleets, as his company talks to them constantly, every day. “They contact The Fuelcard People initially to find which fuel card offers the best combination of savings, service and security for their business,” he said, “but it is not long before they begin to vent their frustrations about lack of government assistance for their industry. We are equally frustrated, because we can always help them to find the best fuel card, but saving a typical 2p to 3p per litre on the national average pump price ant around 10p at motorway service areas does not remove the cause of their problems.”
www.TheFuelcardPeople.co.uk is one of the few fuel card companies able to offer truly impartial, independent advice, offering a broad choice of cards from leading brands including BP, Esso, Shell, Texaco, Diesel Direct (Keyfuels) and ReD.
Posted by steve clarke | October 5, 2008 12:48 PM
Posted on October 5, 2008 12:48