FTA and RHA to unite industry
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FTA and RHA launch industry wide 'Freight Taxes Inquiry' into the current health of the UK road haulage sector and affects on it of foreighn competition. The results will be published in the Burns Report
The FTA/RHA say they are appalled that a clear commitment to tackle the issue of the foreign haulier operating in the UK with the benefit of cheap fuel will not now be addressed until 2020 at the very least.
Accordingly the FTA and RHA have announced that they are commissioning an industry wide inquiry into the current health of the UK road haulage sector, chaired by the former head of NFC Distribution and ex FTA vice-president Robbie Burns, and assisted by former RHA national chairman, Bob Russett.
The purpose of the Burns Freight Taxes Inquiry is to update and review the evidence of the effects of high fuel duties on UK operators, businesses and the economy, its impact on competitiveness with non UK based operators and the new remedies industry should consider seeking from Government.
RHA chief executive, Roger King said: 'In the Labour Party Manifesto of 2001 it was stated that the next Labour Government would ‘ensure that hauliers from overseas pay their fair share towards the cost of our roads’. Thus was created the Lorry Road User Charge. That commitment has been abandoned under the subsequent 2005 Manifesto which states ‘we will seek political consensus in tackling congestion, including examining the potential of moving away from the current system of motoring taxation towards a national system of road pricing.
'Part of the problem lies with the growing pressure on Government to increase duties on the motorist to ‘encourage behavioural change and efficiency’, so without some de-coupling, this will make the problem worse. This is potentially the biggest issue of all so is there a substantial case we can use to change Government's mind', he added.
Both trade associations believe that it is essential the government is reminded of the extent of a problem that has increased since 2001. They say that if it was important to address then, now it is absolutely vital.
It is hoped the inquiry will involve the widest audience that can be achieved, including the trade press, academics, other trade bodies, members and non-members. The output will be a report to the two commissioning associations - FTA and RHA.
The costs of this work will be drawn down from a £100,000 joint campaign fund created by FTA/RHA, and the inquiry will be run on a staged approach.
The first will be the scoping stage when one to one inquiries will be made privately covering subjects such as cabotage, and road wear caused by foreign trucks. Subject to response to this first part, the second stage will be a more public call for evidence and representation plus local meetings.
The final stage will be the report, which may include suggestions for in-depth study of fruitful subjects. It will also coincide with the completion of the investigative work into any possibility of an EU legal challenge and the costs of UK road wear from foreign registered trucks.
Robbie Burns, former Group Managing Director of the NFC Distribution Group has accepted the role as chairman of the inquiry. Former RHA National Chairman Bob Russett will assist. A third appointee will be announced shortly.
Roger King said: ‘We believe the haulage industry has to restate its case from first principles. It is clear that unless we re-establish our arguments based on hard and fast facts, we will be ignored. This inquiry, which will depend upon a positive response by the industry, will help us provide that.’
Richard Turner, Chief Executive FTA added: ‘This is a unique exercise whereby two trade associations are coming together in order to arrive at a strong, united industry consensus that the government must listen to. I am delighted Robbie Burns is prepared to lead it. We will ensure it is well resourced.’
Accordingly the FTA and RHA have announced that they are commissioning an industry wide inquiry into the current health of the UK road haulage sector, chaired by the former head of NFC Distribution and ex FTA vice-president Robbie Burns, and assisted by former RHA national chairman, Bob Russett.
The purpose of the Burns Freight Taxes Inquiry is to update and review the evidence of the effects of high fuel duties on UK operators, businesses and the economy, its impact on competitiveness with non UK based operators and the new remedies industry should consider seeking from Government.
RHA chief executive, Roger King said: 'In the Labour Party Manifesto of 2001 it was stated that the next Labour Government would ‘ensure that hauliers from overseas pay their fair share towards the cost of our roads’. Thus was created the Lorry Road User Charge. That commitment has been abandoned under the subsequent 2005 Manifesto which states ‘we will seek political consensus in tackling congestion, including examining the potential of moving away from the current system of motoring taxation towards a national system of road pricing.
'Part of the problem lies with the growing pressure on Government to increase duties on the motorist to ‘encourage behavioural change and efficiency’, so without some de-coupling, this will make the problem worse. This is potentially the biggest issue of all so is there a substantial case we can use to change Government's mind', he added.
Both trade associations believe that it is essential the government is reminded of the extent of a problem that has increased since 2001. They say that if it was important to address then, now it is absolutely vital.
It is hoped the inquiry will involve the widest audience that can be achieved, including the trade press, academics, other trade bodies, members and non-members. The output will be a report to the two commissioning associations - FTA and RHA.
The costs of this work will be drawn down from a £100,000 joint campaign fund created by FTA/RHA, and the inquiry will be run on a staged approach.
The first will be the scoping stage when one to one inquiries will be made privately covering subjects such as cabotage, and road wear caused by foreign trucks. Subject to response to this first part, the second stage will be a more public call for evidence and representation plus local meetings.
The final stage will be the report, which may include suggestions for in-depth study of fruitful subjects. It will also coincide with the completion of the investigative work into any possibility of an EU legal challenge and the costs of UK road wear from foreign registered trucks.
Robbie Burns, former Group Managing Director of the NFC Distribution Group has accepted the role as chairman of the inquiry. Former RHA National Chairman Bob Russett will assist. A third appointee will be announced shortly.
Roger King said: ‘We believe the haulage industry has to restate its case from first principles. It is clear that unless we re-establish our arguments based on hard and fast facts, we will be ignored. This inquiry, which will depend upon a positive response by the industry, will help us provide that.’
Richard Turner, Chief Executive FTA added: ‘This is a unique exercise whereby two trade associations are coming together in order to arrive at a strong, united industry consensus that the government must listen to. I am delighted Robbie Burns is prepared to lead it. We will ensure it is well resourced.’
