Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 May 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 June 2005. It was answered by John Healey (Labour) on Monday, 6 June 2005 on behalf of the Treasury.

Fuel Duty

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on levels of fuel duty and their impact on the competitiveness of UK road hauliers.

Answer: The duty rate for ultra-low sulphur diesel is now 1.72 pence per litre less than it was in 2000. This equates to a duty rate reduction of around 12 per cent. in real terms since then.We recognise the concern within the UK haulage industry about its competitiveness with overseas hauliers, and are therefore implementing our plans to introduce a lorry road-user charge, accompanied by offsetting tax cuts for hauliers who purchase duty-paid fuel in the UK.

Secondary information