SNP TABLE FUEL DUTY AMENDMENT TO SAVE HAULAGE JOBS.

SNP TABLE FUEL DUTY AMENDMENT TO SAVE HAULAGE JOBS.

LABOUR'S HIGH FUEL TAX POLICY HINDERING ECONOMIC RECOVERY

As the Office for National Statistics reveal that 15,255 HGV drivers claimed jobseekers allowance in March 2009, up from 3,280 the previous year, the SNP have tabled parliamentary proposals as an amendment to the Budget Finance Bill for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator to protect jobs in the transport industry and help motorists and businesses.

The proposal would result in an automatic freeze on fuel duty increases as oil prices rise with a parallel reduction in duty to match the extra revenue from VAT from higher pump prices. The proposal is backed by the Road Haulage Association.

SNP Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, said:

“This amendment has what it takes to help protect jobs in the haulage industry. Road haulage workers are losing their jobs more quickly than almost any other sector, and these appalling statistics must be a wake up call for Ministers.

“Hauliers, and motorists in rural areas, have been struggling with forecourt prices for some time, but the recession, and now Alistair Darling’s plans to increase fuel duty even further are the final straw.

“A road fuel regulator would see any extra cash raised from VAT on higher pump prices go straight back into an equivalent cut in fuel duty. It would give a real lifeline to Scotland’s hauliers who are unable to plan effectively for the future because they do not know what the price of fuel will be.”

SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson, Angus MacNeil MP, warned that a failure to take action would bring further job losses, and hinder economic recovery from recession.

Mr MacNeil said:

“Further increases in fuel prices would be disastrous in the grip of recession.

“The UK government should be easing the burden faced by business and households, and a fuel duty regulator mechanism would help do just that.

“Fuel duty hikes may temporarily boost empty Treasury coffers, but increases will actually hinder economic recovery.

“Hauliers and people in the Highlands and Islands have had their fill of Labour’s fuel duty increases. What Treasury Ministers in London forget is that for people in rural areas, a car is a necessity and not a luxury.

“Currently, fuel duty accounts for about 71 pence of every pound the motorist spends at the forecourt.

“It is more than ironic that Scotland, as one of world's largest oil producers, is hardest hit by Labour’s irresponsible fuel duty increases.”