CPA calls for freeze on fuel duty

The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) is campaigning against what it sees as a disproportionate rise in the tax on rebated fuels.

Chief executive Colin Wood has written to Treasury Secretary Angela Eagle pointing out that since 1997, fuel duty on Rebated Gas Oil (red diesel) has increased by 400%, while on Derv (white diesel) the increase is 142%.

Wood said these measures have eroded the duty differential between these two fuels and believes the government is undermining the 2004 agreement that allowed mobile cranes and other construction plant to continue using red diesel on the road - a move designed to help maintain industry viability.

Wood is calling for a moratorium on all fuel tax increases for the next two years and for future rises in duty on both red and white diesel to be in line with inflation in order to maintain the differential between the fuels.