RHA: Spiralling diesel prices drive up haulage costs
Hauliers are warning customers and the government that as a result of further dramatic increases in the cost of diesel over the past week, the cost of running a typical large lorry has been pushed up by £850 a year. This is one of the most important inflationary pressures in the economy.
The national average price of bulk diesel paid by haulage firms shot up by another 2.02 pence per litre to a new all-time record level, 114.20 (exc. VAT), according to the RHA’s Weekly Fuel Price Survey published at lunchtime today (Friday, 11.03.11).
The RHA survey (see graph) shows that diesel has risen by 23.14 pence per litre (exc. VAT) since November 2009, adding £10,000 to the annual cost of running a typical large lorry. “Just funding that increase in hauliers’ core cost, and the accompanying VAT, is difficult in this climate,” says director of policy Jack Semple.
“It is essential that costs on this scale be recovered fully from customers – not least because other costs are also rising.
“It goes without saying that George Osborne must abandon the planned inflationary duty increase planned for April 1 – not just the one penny element, but also the RPI-linked
“inflation” element, which is much more significant at around three pence. We have already had plenty of duty inflation – 17% since November 2008 – to put on top of the surging price of diesel,” Semple said.
Road Haulage Association – phone us first
For more details, contact RHA Head of Media Relations, Kate Gibbs on . . .
Tel: +44 (0) 1932 838917
Mob: + 44 (0) 7979 531451
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