Motorists demand govt help over credit crunch

Commercial vehicle drivers and fleet operators are putting increasing pressure on the government to provide assistance to the industry.

Representing motorists across the UK, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) recently sent a letter to the chancellor Alistair Darling demanding initiatives to help the sector.

Included in the proposals were increasing capital allowances for fleet buyers, which would ease the financial burden for haulage firms during the crisis.

Paul Williams, chairman of the RMIF, commented: "These measures and others, jointly presented by the two industry trade associations, would go some way to helping the revival of consumer confidence in the sector.

"We urge the chancellor to undertake these measures and to discuss further action with us if necessary."

He added that during these challenging economic times, it all the more vital that the motoring industry presented a united front.

Earlier in the month, the RMIF demanded a cut in the rate of VAT, which would provide drivers with another way of saving money, alongside switching to a cheap van insurance premium.

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