ATS Euromaster responds to UK Autumn Statement

ERJ staff report (BC)

Ian Stuart, group managing director of tire distributor ATS Euromaster, has welcomed the decision of Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, to scrap the planned fuel duty increase in today's Autumn [financial] Statement, but is urging the Government to do more to help private motorists, fleets and hauliers.

The Chancellor bowed to pressure by scrapping the planned 3ppl rise in fuel duty, which was due to take effect from January 2013. With VAT at 20 per cent, this is set to keep pump prices down by almost 4 pence per litre (ppl) and comes at a time when motorists are paying near-record prices on the forecourt.

ATS Euromaster itself operates 1,200 vehicles. Stuart said: “We're technically out of recession, but the country is still desperately trying to get back on its feet and the cost of fuel is dragging businesses and motorists down. Scrapping the fuel duty increase is a positive step; but a 3-6ppl reduction would have given the country a far bigger boost.”