All eyes on Chancellor Gordon Brown over fuel and landfill

While the political developments in America continue to dominate the main news headlines, UK Chancellor Gordon Brown’s speech at 3.30 pm today will be watched by recyclers for announcements on fuel and lorry duties and a possible surprise statement on the landfill tax. Recently, Environment Minister Michael Meacher, speaking at the Biffaward presentations, appeared to suggest that there could be changes to the tax which is currently rising at 1 a year. However, other experts say that the minister was pointing more to changes to the way the Landfill Tax grants system operates. With some freight experts saying that 6% of lorries on the road involved in recycling and waste management, the announcements are seen as vital in the way they impact on margins for many businesses. The Freight Transport Association has issued a statement repeating its call for a 15 pence per litre reduction in diesel duty for trucks. “This would give us the same differential between unleaded petrol and diesel that exists in most of Europe,” a spokesman said.