Panorama reveals plight of transport businesses
Drivers across the country have been reminded of the consequences of using illegal fuel following a stark warning from BBC's Panorama programme which showed a number of vehicles confiscated after unlawfully using reduced tax levy red diesel. Yet worryingly, warns The Fuelcard Company, the programme highlighted the lengths some transport operatives are prepared to go to avoid fuel-price related bankruptcy. The Fuelcard Company's sales and marketing director, Jakes de Kock, warns: "The BBC's Panorama programme highlighted again the issue that we as transport businesses are facing on a daily basis - the price of fuel is crippling our industry. "We are imploring drivers and fleet managers to remember vehicles that are found running on illegal fuel, such as red diesel, can be seized by customs officers or their owners subjected to a £500 on-the-spot fine. "The continued fuel price increase has hit small and medium sized businesses particularly hard with many forced out of business. Support is needed to keep these businesses afloat and, with taxation accounting for 60 percent of pump prices and this set to rise in January, we urge Government to review levels of tax applied to fuel.