Minister: Scottish independence could be ‘devastating’ for hauliers

Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, has urged hauliers to come out in favour of a ‘no’ vote in Scotland’s independence referendum this September.

Speaking at the Road Haulage Association (RHA) annual lunch, he called the referendum an “absolute no-brainer.”

Said Alexander: “I want you to think carefully – and most importantly, I want you to shout loudly – in the referendum debate. And make the case for the most successful political, economic and fiscal union that has ever existed to remain a successful union in future.”

He argued: “We are better off as a United Kingdom… with a shared currency, supported by a full monetary, fiscal and political union… which allows workers to move freely, and businesses to trade freely… where our broad shoulders help to keep the economy stable and taxes low… where our global clout allows us to stand up for the businesses that operate here, especially in big trade negotiations. All of those factors feed into the work your companies do.

“Now, you probably wouldn’t have to drive through international check points every time you entered an independent Scotland. But even without a physical barrier, the prospect of a trade barrier, or a currency barrier, could have a completely devastating – and a completely unneeded – impact on your industry.”

Last year, a paper released by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pointed out that transport operators in an independent Scotland could be hit by the HGV Road User Levy, launched this April as a means of charging foreign hauliers for the use of UK roads.

But the Scottish government responded by saying that it would take on a share of revenues from the existing scheme, and would have the same powers as the government in the remainder of the UK to introduce measures to offset the additional cost.