Stirling MP Alyn Smith has today joined calls from the SNP to support the Scottish haulage industry.

Current UK government measures announced remain inadequate to support sector-specific needs. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme faces millions of applications, and the current timescale for loan funding leaves haulage businesses vulnerable to the credit crisis.

Based on industry feedback, SNP representatives are calling on the Secretary of State for Transport to consider: urgent cash grant injections, a 6-month vehicle excise duty exemption and a facility to allow the claiming back of fuel tax duty for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commenting, Mr Smith said:

“The road haulage industry in Scotland is vital in keeping crucial goods and services flowing. From food and medicines, to key industrial supplies; this is an important part of the chain of supply that we all rely on. A great many businesses in the Stirling area thrive on this being the case.

“I’m working with parliamentary colleagues, calling for the UK government to urgently consider a bespoke package of measures to support the haulage sector in these unprecedented times.

“To recover from the impact of this virus, we’ll need a robust transport and logistics network to support the recovery of other businesses and the wider economy.

“I’d like to thank the front-line workers in the sector, who’ve been working around the clock to transport vital food, medicine, PPE and other key goods to their destinations. We all owe you a debt of gratitude, and that’s why we in the SNP are demanding that this industry is properly supported.”