
Published: 21 January 2008
A group of more than 400 businesses have called on the Chancellor to scrap a scheduled rise in fuel duty.
Fuel duty rises are damaging the UK´s road haulage industry, say the businesses, making it difficult for them to compete with their European rivals.
A rise of 2p per litre is due to come into effect in April, with a further increase of 1.84p is due in April 2009.
David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The message being sent from Government to our logistics industry is particularly worrying. The ability for hauliers to compete with other European firms is looking increasingly threatened, especially considering the UK economy faces a slow down in 2008.
A spokesman for the Treasury said: "In last March´s budget the Government announced fuel duty rates for the next three years, providing certainty for business and sending the right environmental signals in our fight against climate change, while continuing to fund vital public services.
"After these changes, by 2010 main fuel duty rates will be 11% lower in real terms than they were in 1999.

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Rolls-Royce has unveiled a special-edition Phantom as part of its Bespoke Collection in the shape of the Phantom Sapphire.

The Audi R8 V10 will offer all-LED headlamps as standard in 2009, paving the way for the introduction of LED headlamps on more Audi models.

Audi will launch Black editions of its A3 in three-door, five-door and cabriolet guises.

Audi has added more Coupe and Roadster TT variants, with the addition of the new S line specification and more quattro models, available from 1 January.

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Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.

Euro Car Parts has put out a statement on the closure of LSUK, stating that a closure of the business was unavoidable due to a 'lack of support'.

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