§ Industry welcomes freeze on fuel duty along with further tax breaks for cleanest vehicles
§ Haulage sector welcomes consultation on road user charge proposals
§ Research and development tax breaks could go further
§ 'Will we, won't we?' Euro uncertainty continues to undermine competitiveness

The SMMT today greeted the Chancellor's Budget news with some optimism, but remained adamant that more measures are needed to support an automotive industry burdened by high taxes and an uncompetitive exchange rate.

Commenting on today's Budget, SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan, said, 'Today's Budget was, at best, lukewarm for the industry. While fuel duty freezes and R&D tax credits are to be welcomed, some of the real issues have been ignored. The impact of a strong pound continues to undermine the competitiveness of UK manufacturers and threatens to erode the UK supply base further. We are still waiting to hear how the EU End of Life Vehicles Directive will be implemented in the UK. All the while, the Treasury continues to rake in vast sums each year from manufacturers, hauliers, component companies and drivers.'

He continued, 'What we want is sustained support from the Chancellor for the UK automotive sector - support that allows business to develop and grow, that encourages continued investment into the country and that rewards one of the biggest manufacturing sectors in the UK.'