RHA has again called upon the government to introduce a targeted essential user fuel rebate of at least 15ppl that would be available to coach operators. The request forms part of RHA’s policy submission to the government ahead of the autumn fiscal statement, which is scheduled to be delivered by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on 17 November.
RHA first floated the 15ppl rebate ahead of the March Budget, and at that time called on its members to lobby their MPs for such a step. That campaign was unsuccessful, but RHA has reignited its efforts around fuel costs ahead of the autumn statement, which is expected to deliver a combination of spending cuts and tax rises amounting to £60 billion.
In addition to the 15ppl rebate, RHA wants the government to commit to no increases in diesel fuel duty for a further two years. It has highlighted that the rebate would bring down fuel costs “in line with European counterparts.”
Other parts of RHA’s policy call include a commitment to create a commercial vehicle decarbonisation roadmap “to accommodate the diversity of vehicle operators.” That should include engagement with the coach sector on the development of new policies on road safety and low- and zero-emission vehicles, the trade body continues.
“Coach operators are vital to the tourism supply chain and in supporting local tourism, and the communities that they serve are critical to the levelling up agenda, encouraging economic activity and growth across the UK,” the policy briefing says. Regulatory certainty around the future of commercial vehicle decarbonisation is needed if “stranded assets” are to be avoided in the future.
A further part of the approach put forward by RHA concerns Clean Air Zones (CAZs) in England. The Association wants the focus in those to be placed on the oldest and most polluting vehicles rather than specific classes, a position it outlined when the Bradford CAZ launched in September.
Read RHA’s full submission here.
