THE PETROL Retailers Association (PRA), the trade association representing independent forecourt retailers in the UK, has welcomed the fuel duty cut announced in the government’s autumn statement
Chairman Brian Madderson said: “After sustained lobbying, the message is finally getting through to Government of the vital place of road fuel in the budgets of both businesses and consumers by cancelling the deferred duty rise of 3.02ppl on 1 January 2013. “The increase with VAT would have pushed up pump prices by 4.00ppl.
“The Chancellor has also taken steps to help cash strapped households and small firms including independent forecourt operators by deferring the “inflation only” duty increase due 1 April next year until 1 September next year.
“Based on a projection of the Retail Price Index (RPI) by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), this could have led to pump price increases up to 3.00ppl before the economy had time to recover.
“Deferring the increase is a pragmatic decision but the PRA will continue to lobby to have this rise also cancelled.
“These are bold moves by a Government that has been listening and will receive robust support from our members” he added.
