Budget has few surprises for UK freight forwarders

The British International Freight Association (BIFA), the trade association for UK forwarders, has welcomed the confirmation in yesterday's budget of the scrapping of backdated port rates demands.

"The move signals a welcome break for Britain's hard-pressed international freight sector and leaves businesses at Britain's ports free to concentrate on facilitating Britain's import and export freight movements," said BIFA director general Peter Quantrill.

BIFA expressed disappointment that while there was no new rise in fuel duty, the phased introduction of the previous budget's increase means duty will rise by US$0.02 per litre in October and by $1.14 per litre in January next year.

"Our members are facing fuel prices at record levels, as well as steep rises in other costs. Foreign hauliers are offering cross border services with cheaper fuel purchased abroad.

"The government has said that it will look at the impact of sharp fluctuations in the price of oil on the public finances. Although they were unwilling to cancel the planned rises, they should consider introducing an essential user rebate."

He said this would send a positive message from government to businesses in the forwarding sector that operate on tight margins and would allow them to compete on a level playing field with foreign competition.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)