Welsh hauliers have told ministers that a 7p per litre increase in fuel duty would have a “devastating” effect on their businesses, ahead of next week’s Budget.

Operators gathered with ministers and MSs at the Welsh Parliament this week and urged the Chancellor Rachel Reeves to retain the fuel duty freeze when she gives her Budget speech on 30 October.

Reports suggest she is set to reverse the current policy on duty that has been in place for 14 years.

Michael Gough, RHA board director for Wales, said: “I urge all members of this Senedd to speak to the Treasury at Westminster to keep the freeze on fuel duty.

“A rise would only speed up business failures.”

The AA said scrapping the freeze would not only punish drivers but it would also push up consumer prices and fuel inflation:

“Everything from the price of food in supermarkets to the delivery of social care within our communities are impacted by pump prices, and an unnecessary hike in fuel duty could make things worse,” said Edmund King, AA president.

The RHA’s Senedd reception gave operators a platform to talk to the government about key industry issues affecting them, including driver facilities, decarbonisation, road investments and operating costs.

The business group said the shadow minister for transport, Natasha Asghar, promised to push the Welsh government for more safe and secure lorry parking and better roadside facilities for truckers.

She said this would also support efforts to attract more women into the industry.

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