RHA Chief Executive Roger King said: "UK road hauliers are already operating under extreme financial pressure. When the proposed increased was announced back in April, Gordon Brown recognised that to go ahead immediately, while the world price of oil remained so volatile would be economic suicide. Seven months on, the situation remains critical.

"The UK is still the only country in the EU to charge more tax on diesel than on petrol," he continued. "The proposed 1.92ppl increase equates to an additional fuel cost of approximately £700 to the annual cost of running a heavy goods vehicle.

"British manufacturing needs stability in its transport costs. Rather than increasing fuel duty, the Chancellor should be seriously considering a fuel duty de-escalator to give UK hauliers a fighting chance."

For further details, contact the RHA's Communications Manager, Kate Gibbs, on:

• Tel: 01932 838917
• Mob: 07979 531451