Minister's warning on fuel prices

Welsh Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has written to the UK Treasury to warn about the impact spiralling fuel prices are having on hauliers in Wales.

The Plaid Cymru leader and assembly government deputy first minister met hauliers' representatives last month.

They say rising costs are threatening their viability and have asked the UK Government to cut fuel duty as the global price of oil increases.

The freight industry is worth £2.5bn a year to the Welsh economy.

In his letter to Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper, Mr Jones said the assembly government was concerned about the impact the increase in fuel costs was having on the haulage industry, transport services and individual motorists in Wales.

There have already been a number of protests by haulage companies in Wales and the UK over fuel costs.

"We fully understand... the impact that the increase in fuel costs is having on the haulage industry, transport services and individual motorists in Wales"
Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson

Last Friday a 40-vehicle convoy left Chester and travelled along the A55 expressway in north Wales to the assembly government offices in Colwyn Bay.

Mr Jones will also outline his concerns during a speech to the Wales Trade Summit in Cardiff on Tuesday.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has also raised the problems caused by rising fuel costs for the agriculture and fishing industries in Wales with ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

A spokesperson for the assembly government said, "The price of fuel - and the duties imposed on it - are not the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government.

"However, we fully understand and are concerned about the impact that the increase in fuel costs is having on the haulage industry, transport services and individual motorists in Wales.

"Concerns have also been raised about the impact oil prices are having on the agriculture sector both in terms of fuel and fertiliser costs.

"The deputy first minister has met with representatives from the haulage industry to discuss their concerns in detail, and has raised these concerns with the UK government.

"The rural affairs minister has also raised these concerns with Defra ministers," the spokesperson added.

Mr Jones will tell Wednesday's conference that there are twin challenges facing the industry - climate change and high fuel costs.

The UK government is under intense pressure to shelve planned rise in fuel duty this autumn as the cost of oil on the global market continues to rise.