THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) has welcomed some aspects of the UK Budget but feels that the issues covered are all overshadowed by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the terms of the UK's exit from the European Union.
According to BIFA director general Robert Keen, the association 'has said repeatedly that it is imperative that new road building and road reconstruction projects are not only implemented but developed in such a way as to maximise their functionality to the BIFA members, which as freight forwarders, use them to move Britain's visible domestic and international trade.
'Hopefully this talk of infrastructure investment will cease to be just talk and we will see some spades in the ground.
'Our members will also welcome the news that the freeze in fuel duty would remain but would have preferred to see an outright cut, the introduction of an essential user rebate and some form of fuel duty stabilisation mechanism.'
BIFA is also concerned by Chancellor Phillip Hammond's assertion that the spending commitments outlined in the budget statement would not be affected in the event of a no-deal, hard Brexit.
'We believe that any new tariffs and delays that could result from a no-deal Brexit would make today's announcements unsustainable,' said Mr Keen.
According to BIFA director general Robert Keen, the association 'has said repeatedly that it is imperative that new road building and road reconstruction projects are not only implemented but developed in such a way as to maximise their functionality to the BIFA members, which as freight forwarders, use them to move Britain's visible domestic and international trade.
'Hopefully this talk of infrastructure investment will cease to be just talk and we will see some spades in the ground.
'Our members will also welcome the news that the freeze in fuel duty would remain but would have preferred to see an outright cut, the introduction of an essential user rebate and some form of fuel duty stabilisation mechanism.'
BIFA is also concerned by Chancellor Phillip Hammond's assertion that the spending commitments outlined in the budget statement would not be affected in the event of a no-deal, hard Brexit.
'We believe that any new tariffs and delays that could result from a no-deal Brexit would make today's announcements unsustainable,' said Mr Keen.