Swann Welcomes Fuel and Haulage Relief but Warns of Short-Term Impact

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed the announcement of temporary tax cuts for red diesel and a holiday on vehicle excise duty for HGVs. Under the new plans, the fuel duty rate on red diesel will drop to 6.48p per litre from next month until the end of the year. Additionally, a 12-month suspension of vehicle excise duty for heavy goods vehicles is expected to save hauliers approximately £600 per lorry.

Mr Swann recently backed a parliamentary motion calling for urgent government intervention as agricultural fuel prices soar.

Speaking on the announcement, Mr Swann said:

"The cut in red diesel duty is a sensible move that will provide some much-needed breathing space for farmers. Our agri-food sector is dealing with significant input costs and any reduction in the price of running machinery is helpful. Similarly, the excise duty holiday for HGVs should help ease some of the financial pressure on our haulage firms and protect consumers from rising prices.

"I previously backed calls in Parliament for urgent intervention because the rising cost of fuel has become unsustainable for many producers. While this relief is welcome, the time-limited nature of these cuts remains a concern. Farmers and hauliers need long-term certainty to plan their businesses effectively. A few months of lower costs will help in the short term, but the underlying pressures on the industry will return once these measures come to an end. I will continue to call for more permanent solutions to ensure our primary producers and transport links remain viable."