UK NEWS
FURIOUS HAULIERS JOIN THE BIGGEST FUEL DEMO TODAY
Lorries block the A40 Westway in protest at the price of fuel duty
By Martyn Brown
HUNDREDS of angry hauliers will roll into London today in what is expected to be the biggest protest so far against record high fuel prices.
It will be a big embarrassment for Gordon Brown as he tries desperately to win over the public a few days after the anniversary of his shambolic first year as Prime Minister.
During the demonstration, lobby group Transaction 2007 will be supported by the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Freight Transport Association, who say fuel prices threaten the future of the UK freight industry.
The protest comes as the Chancellor Alistair Darling is reportedly under pressure from fellow ministers to scrap October’s 2p-a-litre increase in fuel duty. Business Secretary John Hutton has been leading calls for Mr Darling to make a statement before MPs break for the summer this month.
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It is vital that the Government not only listens to us but takes urgent action.
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Andy Boyle , RHA national chairman
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As in a demonstration earlier this year, the hauliers will line their lorries along a closed section of the A40 Westway in West London. Then a series of police-controlled convoys will move into Central London, while truckers on foot will lobby Parliament.
RHA national chairman Andy Boyle said yesterday: “The harsh reality is that the price of fuel is forcing many hauliers out of business. For many, tomorrow will represent a last-ditch attempt at making their voice heard.
“It is vital that the Government not only listens to us but takes urgent action. For those present on Wednesday, whether they be hauliers or MPs, doing nothing is no longer an option.”
Transaction 2007 spokesman Peter Carroll said: “It is madness to insist on charging the highest level of fuel duty in the EU on top of a world oil price that has rocketed. If nothing is done thousands of UK hauliers will go bust.”
Downing Street officials declined to deny reports of a rift involving several senior ministers – and insiders believe Mr Darling is almost certain to announce a retreat over fuel tax. But they are worried that delaying the announcement until the Pre-Budget Report in the autumn could be disastrous for Labour.
But allies of Mr Darling’s fear any concession now will only embolden campaigners further. One said: “If we announce a freeze now, there would be demands for another 2p cut in the autumn.”
A source close to Mr Hutton denied he was in a revolt. But there is a rift which comes as MPs vote today on hiking road tax for family cars according to their carbon dioxide emissions.
Figures obtained by the Tories suggest 2.3 million people will be up to £245 a year worse off under the measures.
Shadow Treasury Minister Justine Greening said: “Back-dated Vehicle Excise Duty rises will double the pain for families struggling to cope, hitting twice as many people for up to twice as much as the 10p tax fiasco.
“Labour backbenchers joined us in making Gordon Brown see sense to compensate the 10p tax rate losers. This time, with road tax, families can’t afford to wait a year for Labour MPs to force another Government U-turn. They should vote down these unfair, retrospective tax rises.”
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