The planned increase in fuel duty must be scrapped in order to prevent more hauliers collapsing under soaring costs as the Middle East conflict grinds on, according to the RHA.
The trade association is urging lorry and van operators to write to their MPs telling them to let the Chancellor know she must not introduce the fuel duty hike expected in September.
The call came as the RAC said UK petrol and diesel prices jumped more in March than in any previous single month.
Diesel almost doubled the previous record rise of 22p seen in March 2022 where the price went from 155.23p to 177.29p at the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Richard Smith, RHA MD, 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.”
Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK, said its opinion poll found 95.4% of almost 79,000 respondents wanted the Chancellor to cut fuel duty immediately and eliminate VAT on fuel duty.
“Rachel Reeves appears to be overly influenced, if not controlled, by Ed Miliband’s unfeasible net zero agenda, and remains determined to uphold the 5p increase in the Autumn Budget,” he said.
“She is either neglecting her responsibilities or acting ideologically by failing to do what her role requires: preventing inflation from rising, protecting jobs, supporting GDP growth, and maintaining consumer spending.”
The RHA has drafted an open letter to the Chancellor and is asking hauliers to forward it to their MPs using its online tool: https://rhacontactmp.uk.net/
