DfT misleading public over haulage costs, says RHA

The Road Haulage Association rejects the Department for Transport’s latest comments on the costs faced by British road haulage businesses.

In its response to the transport select committee’s Freight Report, the DfT continues to rely on a deeply flawed piece of research, which fails to reflect either the cost base of British hauliers or even the vehicles that they operate. It is research on which the RHA was not consulted and in which it played no part.

"We are pleased that the select committee raised the issue. It is disappointing, to say the least, that the DfT persists with the fantasy that UK firms are in a similar position to those from abroad," said RHA director of policy Jack Semple.

"The Treasury’s policy is putting UK haulage and its customers at a structural disadvantage of around £13,000 per truck per year that is costing the UK jobs and businesses. The RHA will continue to contest the government’s position," he concluded.