UK petrol prices 'are hitting couriers' bottom lines'
Date: 08 November 2007
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Couriers are concerned that their operations might be hit as the cost of fuel continues to rise.
Reports on Wednesday (November 7th) stated that the cost of unleaded petrol has passed £1 per litre for the first time and couriers are worried that hikes in diesel prices could significantly add to their operating costs.
The BBC reports that the average cost of a litre of diesel is now 103.32p.
While some of the increases are due to rising global oil prices and the weak dollar, courier firms have also expressed anger that the government recently increased the duty on fuel in the UK by 2p per litre.
A body which represents the interest of couriers and other professional drivers, the Freight Transport Authority, said: "Increases in the price of crude, reflected in pump prices at over £1, demonstrate the mistake the government made in increasing fuel duty by 2p per litre from October 1st. It was an own-goal."
Courier firms have also said that the expectation that fuel prices will continue to rise should prompt the government to scrap the next fuel tax increase due in April.
The Road Haulage Association recently said that that fuel prices are "spiralling out of control", making it increasingly hard for couriers and owner drivers to turn a profit.
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