Fewer than four in 10 hauliers confident of surviving fuel price surge, warns RHA

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned that Britain’s transport operators are facing mounting financial pressure as fuel costs continue to rise, with fewer than four in 10 businesses confident they can remain viable if current conditions persist.

According to a survey conducted by the trade body, only 39% of operators said they were confident of surviving rising fuel prices. The RHA said fuel costs have increased by 35% since the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran began in February, creating significant challenges for road transport businesses.

The survey, which received 550 responses, found that the impact is being felt particularly acutely among smaller operators, with 90.6% of respondents representing SME fleets. The findings showed that 84.6% of operators had experienced reduced profit margins, while 56.8% reported cashflow pressures linked to higher operating costs.

The RHA is calling on the Government to introduce an Essential User Rebate, which it believes would help reduce the cost of moving goods and people while easing inflationary pressures across the wider economy. The association has also called for planned fuel duty increases to be delayed indefinitely.

Richard Smith, managing director of the Road Haulage Association, said the survey painted a bleak picture of current trading conditions for transport operators and urged the Government to act quickly to reduce costs facing the sector.

The survey also found that 71% of operators believed a fuel rebate would help reduce the need to pass rising costs on to customers. The RHA pointed to the Government’s recent decision to cut red diesel duty as evidence that fuel price interventions can provide support to affected industries and is seeking similar measures for users of white diesel.

The association said it has written to the Chancellor and relevant ministers seeking discussions on measures that could support operators and protect supply chains from further disruption.