TAXES * UK - New year, new tax headache for transport operators

FTA:  The increase in fuel duty this month will leave the transport industry £95 million 

London,EN,UK -Transport Engineer, by John Challen -5 Jan 2011:  --  The Freight Transport Association chief economist, Simon Chapman, points out that diesel – currently responsible for 35% of a truck's running costs – is not an optional extra. "It is essential to keep shops stocked and businesses supplied with materials," he insists...  Chapman believes that the Chancellor is treating the transport sector as a "bottomless well from which cash to bolster the public finances can be drawn"...  This month's increase of 0.76p per litre is the third rise since April 2010 and will push diesel prices to within four pence per litre of the all-time highs reached in July 2008... (Photo from us.123rf: truck and cars queueing at Dover ferry-port UK)