MHK to quiz treasury minister over support for sector amid rising costs
A local haulier says it's impossible for his company to absorb the latest fuel surcharge imposed by the Steam Packet Company.
Marty Kneen from agricultural hauliers JW Kneen & Son says the increase in the surcharge from £62 to £209 plus VAT per trailer, coupled with the recent 16 pence per litre rise in the price of a litre of diesel, means some of the burden will have to be passed on to customers from the start of November.
Mr Kneen is urging government to look at the surcharges applied by the ferry operator:
The Steam Packet has been invited to respond.
"Clearly businesses can't absorb those figures at all, and neither can the Steam Packet."
Meanwhile, an MHK says he wants to explore options to ease the impact of rising fuel prices on the road haulage sector.
It's as the industry braces itself for the latest increase in the freight fuel surcharge applied by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
Ayre & Michael MHK Stephen Broad says he's tabled a House of Keys question for Treasury Minister Michael Crowe asking what support could be offered.
Mr Broad says government is receiving significant additional income from taxes on fuel sales:
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