• B30 Bio-diesel warning
• GETTING TO THE POINTS

• Pre-Budget Report Comment

• BUMPER CARS
• I LIKE DRIVING IN MY CAR… (ON MY OWN)
• HARD DAYS LIGHT
• ANIMAL TRAGIC
• FUEL’S GOLD
• SEEING ‘RED’ OVER HIGH FUEL COSTS
• DRIVING “CONDITIONS”
• MANY HAPPY RETURNS?
• KICKING THE CO2 HABIT
• ‘GREEN’ FINGERS
• FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TO GROUND TRAFFIC CONTROL
• CULTURE SHOCK
• DON’T DRIVE DROWSY
• ‘FOLLOW THAT STAR!’
• PULLING POWER
• The Darling Budget of March - 08
• Courtesy Cars - March 08
• Green Survey - Feb 08
• New congestion charge angers industry - Feb 08
• Midlands Excellence Award win - Jan 2008

Pre-Budget Report Comment

Although having broad implications for the fleet industry, the VAT change is to be welcomed in the round. The much-heralded 2.5% reduction, won’t have as great an impact upon businesses as it does for consumers.  Users of contract hire will see an effective 1.25% reduction in costs due to the 50% VAT disallowance (finance element of contract hire payment), but it looks as though this will be partially offset by fuel duty increases.

The phased, and less dramatic, attack on ‘gas guzzlers’ through the VED system is welcome, although damage has already been done to consumer confidence and used car values. This easing into ‘greener’ cars choice is better news for fleet managers and their cash flow.

We also welcome the acceleration of £3 billion capital spending, which will include motorway infrastructure investment, which will help to ease the UK’s crippling congestion problem.

However, we are still waiting for clarity on linking capital allowances and lease rental disallowance to CO2.  All the Treasury report reveals is that draft legislation will be published “shortly”.  This leaves companies ordering cars for delivery from April next year in limbo.  However the estimates of costs contained in the report show an expected £10 million per annum increase in receipts from capital allowances on “business cars” in both 2009/10 and 2010/11.