Trucking Britain Out of a Recession – Part 3

Making sure that the government and the industry work together to establish reporting on carbon emissions was not particularly well thought of either. 14% of own-account operators thought it was an important issue, as did 3% of logistics/contract distribution firms and only 1% of hire and reward companies.

All these companies were then asked which single initiative or issue was most important to them. The two that came up most were, predictably, lowering fuel duty or introducing an essential user rebate. Here are some quotes from the survey in response to that question:

• “Carry out a root and branch review of legislation, removing unnecessary bureaucracy.”
• “Appoint a minister who knows about and understands transport, and who takes notice of operators’ problems.”
• “Help the industry through the recession by implementing incentive schemes, like rewarding hauliers that have reduced/are reducing their carbon footprints.”
• “Scrap the hikes in amounts needed for O-licence financial standing, and allow more flexibility in where the money can be obtained from.”
• “Look at some kind of law where companies are forced to pay within 30 days.”
• “Put VAT on fuel up to 20%.”

One suggestion for the next government was to “do nothing at all for five years, so we all know where we stand.”

The survey asked respondents if they had ever met or contacted their MP. If we’re going to moan, we should have at least explored all the avenues. So, quite shockingly, the fact that less than half (only 42%) had ever written to their MP, and only 22% have met them, is quite surprising.

13% of respondents didn’t vote in the last election, and 8% are planning not to vote this year.

Continued in part 4