Scottish hauliers have expressed fears for the viability of their businesses following the revelation that they would have to pay to use UK roads if Scotland votes for independence.
A Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) report revealed recently that operators based in an independent Scotland would need to pay the £10 a day HGV Road User Levy that comes into effect in April.
The report also said it would be up to the Scottish government to reduce VED to compensate those operators that regularly crossed the border if Scotland becomes independent in September 2014.
However, a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government has insisted that Scottish hauliers would not be out of pocket.
“The HGV road user scheme and VED changes being introduced by the UK government will already be in place ahead of independence,” she said.
“Scotland would therefore take on a share of revenue from the scheme and would have exactly the same powers as the UK government to put in place offsetting measures for Scottish hauliers.”
The FTA has said Scottish independence could affect transport companies in Scotland and the rest of the UK and questioned how customs clearance would be managed.
FTA head of policy Karen Dee said: “UK-registered operators will get VED lowered to compensate, but it depends if the Scottish Government keeps its rates the same. They will have to pay the VED set by their government.”
Concern
Hauliers in Scotland are concerned about the possibility of operating in an independent state, with some expressing a desire to relocate from there if government is devolved.
David McCutcheon, MD at Bullet Express, said an independent Scotland would be another nail in the coffin. “Scotland benefits from the bulk buying power of the UK,” he said.
John Mitchell Haulage and Warehousing MD Iain Mitchell told MT: “From what I’ve heard, the road user charge will be the least of our worries. “Scotland will not be viable anymore.”
Cadzow Heavy Haulage MD Jim Macauley suggested that his company would consider moving its banking facilities to the UK if Scotland did vote to become independent.
