RHA urges fleets to lobby MPs on fuel duty

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is urging truck, coach and van fleet operators to join its campaign to persuade the chancellor Rachel Reeves to scrap upcoming increases in fuel duty, in the context of soaring diesel and petrol prices.

Pump prices have continued to rise as the Easter weekend approaches, with the RAC Foundation yesterday citing average figures of 183.1 pence per litre for diesel and 153.1p per litre for petrol.

In addition to a 1p rise scheduled for September, fuel duty rises of 2p in December and a further 2p in March 2027 are also planned, the three together representing a phased reversal of an earlier 5p per litre cut implemented by the Conservative government. In addition, fuel duty is set to be linked to inflation from April 2027.

While not having committed to scrapping the rises, the prime minister Keir Starmer has said they will be kept under review in light of ongoing volatility resulting from the US war with Iran.

But the RHA has drafted an open letter to the chancellor calling on her to scrap the planned increases, and is asking operators to forward it to their MPs using its online tool.

Richard Smith, RHA managing director, said: “Rising fuel costs drive up prices for consumers and push businesses to the brink – which is why the RHA is asking people across the industry to get involved.

“We make the point that in 2022, the government introduced a 5p fuel duty cut when prices soared after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We believe the current government could support businesses and households with fuel costs this time too.”

He continued: “We’ve been clear on the need for action on fuel and that hasn’t changed. This week, we’ve asked the industry to support a call to action by writing to MPs on fuel duty and next week we will be asking them to do the same on an Essential User Rebate.

“We’re continuing to call on government to freeze fuel duty this September and ensure it is not linked to inflation (RPI) in future. For many operators the challenge isn’t what happens later this year, it’s what’s happening right now.

“Costs have risen sharply, margins are tightening, and for some, work is becoming financially unviable – so cash flow is under real pressure.

“That’s why we are also calling for immediate support through an essential user rebate which would provide a mechanism to return a portion of fuel duty to those who depend on it most, helping to offset rising costs and keep vehicles on the road.”