The UKs Logistics Industry has seen Tuesday’s fuel duty debate as a step towards relief from the increasing fuel costs for struggling transport businesses.

The BBC reported that during the debate MPs have unanimously supported a backbench business motion urging the government to take action on rising fuel prices.  The Commons debate was secured by Conservative backbencher Robert Halfon after an e-petition on a government-backed website attracted the 100,000 signatures required to trigger a Commons debate.   Mr Halfon called for planned increases in fuel duty to be scrapped to aid economic recovery and ease the burden on families and small businesses, as he opened the debate on 15 November 2011.  The government currently intends to increase fuel duty by 3p a litre in January and a further 1p in the summer of 2012.

Mr Halfon told MPs: "Fuel duty is not just about economics, it's an issue of social justice and this is especially true in rural communities which are being destroyed by fuel prices."  His motion also called for a "price stabilisation mechanism" to ease variations in fuel prices.  Economic Secretary to the Treasury Chloe Smith wrapped up the debate telling MPs: "Now is not the day to try to change tax...that is the Budget, but today is to listen."

A number of bodies related to the Transport Industry have been pleased by the positive reaction from MPs on the issue, with the hope that the Government will listen and stop the planned increases in duty.

The Fair Fuel UK campaign are continuing to keep the pressure on the government and are waiting for George Osborne’s Autumn statement which is due on the 29th November 2011