Business, Freight News

Freight group chairman calls for “friendly” budget

[ July 3, 2015   //   Chris ]

The chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport Rob Flello and Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent has called on chancellor George Osborne to deliver a “freight-friendly” Budget on 8 July. He is urging him to cut fuel duty, tackle skills shortages and improve infrastructure

“The Chancellor needs to cut fuel duty to drive economic growth and relieve the pressure on hard-pressed hauliers, who have endured high prices for far too long. A freeze won’t be good enough,” said Mr Flello.

Addressing freight sector skills shortages also ought to be high on the Chancellor’s agenda, argued Mr Flello, highlighting estimates suggesting the industry needs another 150,000 drivers by 2020. “The big problem with learning to be a large goods vehicle driver is the cost,” said the MP.

Investment in infrastructure should also be a Budget measure, said Mr Flello, reminding the Chancellor that the Tory manifesto pledged £15 billion for transport infrastructure, including £6 billion for a Northern road network.

Tags: All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport