Scottish Road Hauliers Association Emergency Meeting
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At an emergency meeting of Scottish road hauliers held on 26 April 2005, those present were of the firm belief that the industry is in terminal decline; brought about by ever rising fuel prices, Europe's highest fuel taxes, the imposition of the Working Time Directive and the inability of its customer base to pay a fair rate for the job.
The meeting recognised that a productive and profitable road transport sector is essential to Scotland's economy. It deplores price-cutting by foreign hauliers fuelled with cheap diesel and trucks driven by drivers on low wages that has resulted in unfair competition.
Those present were angry that as a result of world oil prices, more and more operators have been pushed to the financial brink. And this at a time when oil companies continue to make record profits and the UK Government is able to harvest a windfall oil tax revenue bonanza of over GBP3billion.
The meeting called for immediate action by Government to introduce a fuel price regulator, thus stabilising prices, paid for by the windfall taxes.
However this alone will not address the endemic problem facing the industry. The meeting therefore called upon the Scottish Parliament to set up a commission to report on the state of Scotland's road haulage industry, which will include the effects of current taxation and legislation, including the Working Time Directive. It should also identify the way forward for an industry in crisis.
To back up this request hauliers will use whatever lawful action is available to them to press home their case.
The Road Haulage Association - supporting the industry on which the UK depends.
The meeting recognised that a productive and profitable road transport sector is essential to Scotland's economy. It deplores price-cutting by foreign hauliers fuelled with cheap diesel and trucks driven by drivers on low wages that has resulted in unfair competition.
Those present were angry that as a result of world oil prices, more and more operators have been pushed to the financial brink. And this at a time when oil companies continue to make record profits and the UK Government is able to harvest a windfall oil tax revenue bonanza of over GBP3billion.
The meeting called for immediate action by Government to introduce a fuel price regulator, thus stabilising prices, paid for by the windfall taxes.
However this alone will not address the endemic problem facing the industry. The meeting therefore called upon the Scottish Parliament to set up a commission to report on the state of Scotland's road haulage industry, which will include the effects of current taxation and legislation, including the Working Time Directive. It should also identify the way forward for an industry in crisis.
To back up this request hauliers will use whatever lawful action is available to them to press home their case.
The Road Haulage Association - supporting the industry on which the UK depends.
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