This latest rise in the price of diesel strengthens the hauliers’ case for the Chancellor to call off the planned duty rate increase of 2 pence a litre, equivalent to 4%. This comes on top of a 4% rise last October, fuelling inflation.

“The 2 pence a litre duty increase on April 1 means that fuel tax will have soared by 8% in less than eight months. We will be urging our members in the strongest terms to pass on this latest inflationary increase in full to customers – and making it very clear that the responsibility lies with the Government,” says RHA chief executive Roger King. “Unless, of course, the Chancellor sees sense and abandons the increase.”

“We will also be urging customers of road haulage businesses to pay the increases in full, in order to preserve the long-term health of what is an essential industry that is proud of its record of providing a service that is efficient, flexible, innovative and safe,” continued Roger King.

The RHA’s weekly survey of diesel prices paid by hauliers shows a national average price of 91.42 pence a litre before VAT, an increase of 2.19 pence a litre on the week before. The price compares with 73.57 pence a litre at the same time a year ago, an increase of 24.3%. “This increase has put many businesses under great financial strain,” he concluded.