PRA member wins tax appeal
A Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) member has successfully appealed via the First Tier Tax Tribunal against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) imposition of unreasonable conditions, to obtain an excise duty Deferment Account Number (DAN) for Oil Products.
Continue ReadingCar dealers urged to ensure GAP insurance rules compliance
The NFDA has urged dealers to ensure their compliance with new regulations governing the way in which Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance is sold to consumers. Set out by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the new rules are due to come into effect on 1 September 2015. Dealers will be required to explain that customers must return to the dealership four days after purchasing their car if they want GAP insurance.
Continue ReadingIntertek launches Portable Emissions Measurement System
Intertek Milton Keynes is among the first test laboratories in the UK to offer portable vehicle exhaust emission testing systems, enabling manufacturers to report “real world” driving emissions. Intertek said its Transportation Technologies laboratory has responded swiftly to changes in European exhaust emissions legislation by launching a service to deliver accurate on-road vehicle exhaust emissions testing and analysis.
Continue ReadingRMI also voices opposition to MOT extension
The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI), which represents retail business across the automotive sector including franchised dealers and independent garages, added to the NTDAs objections its strong opposition to the proposed MOT change. The RMI believes the change could only harm the UK’s road safety record.
Continue ReadingPRA welcomes Budget’s fuel duty freeze, ‘disappointed’ no cut
The Petrol Retailers’ Association has welcomed the chancellor’s Budget announcement that fuel duty will be frozen, while expressing disappointment that there was no cut. Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association comments: “The PRA has been lobbying Government and the Treasury on the subject of fuel duty, so it is good news to hear the chancellor’s announcement.
Continue ReadingNTDA to challenge MOT changes on ‘road safety’ grounds
The NTDA plans to challenge at the consultation phase the UK government’s proposal to extend from three to four years the deadline for a new car’s first MOT. Chancellor George Osborne announced today that the Government is exploring the options, with the proposed changes to become part of the government’s forthcoming Motoring Service Strategy.
Continue ReadingRegulation changes approach as TRA, tyre associations issue rallying cry
The Tyre Recovery Association’s (TRA) Recycling Day, a one-day conference and dinner organised in partnership with the Retread Manufacturers Association, was held at the Ardencote Manor, Warwickshire on Friday, 19 June. Attended by representatives of the tyre and waste recycling industries, the conference included presentations covering the key themes of regulations and enforcement, best practise and innovation, and common causes and issues facing the industry. The unity of the various trade bodies struck a particularly strong note throughout the day, not just through the joint organisation of the event between the Retread Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the TRA, but with strong backing given to the event by association directors representing the whole of the UK tyre industry. The Recycling Day also marked an occasion for celebration, as the TRA celebrated its tenth anniversary.
Continue ReadingCalais situation is ‘absolute mayhem’ – RHA chief
On Tuesday 30 June, Road Haulage Association chief executive Richard Burnett made the trip to Calais to witness for himself the appalling conditions under which UK hauliers are currently operating. “This action will have a massive effect on the UK economy as a whole and is putting the livelihood and lives of hundreds of hauliers at risk”, said Richard Burnett.
Continue ReadingFTA urges chancellor ‘not to renege’ on fuel tax promise
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has called on the chancellor to freeze or cut fuel duty ahead of Wednesday’s FairFuelUK event at the House of Commons. Chief executive David Wells has written to George Osborne asking him not to renege on his promise to hold current levels until September.
Continue ReadingWendy Williamson appointed to FIGIEFA board
The chief executive of IAAF, Wendy Williamson has been appointed to the board and made treasurer of FIGIEFA, the association representing the needs of the European independent automotive aftermarket to governments and legislators of the European Union.
Continue ReadingVapour recovery scheme consultation welcomed by PRA
After persistent lobbying from the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) published a consultation document on 17 June regarding the reimbursement of duty on petrol subject to vapour recovery, Brian Madderson, PRA chairman comments.
Continue ReadingBrake: paying the price for road safety inaction
Brake, the road safety charity, is urging the government to show strong leadership in the face of the first calendar year increase in road casualties in 17 years. The charity believes the reintroduction of ambitious casualty reduction targets, axed in 2010, must be a key first step in an urgently needed fightback against road danger and it points out that people on foot and bike bore the brunt of the rise.
Continue ReadingRoSPA ‘concerned’ over rise in road deaths
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says more needs to be done to protect vulnerable road users after new figures revealed a rise in the number of deaths on Britains roads. The statistics released by the Department for Transport show an increase in the number of people killed or seriously injured, in particular pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, in 2014 compared to 2013.
Continue ReadingBVRLA welcomes plug-in car grant assurances
The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), has clarified the status of the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG), which is available for vehicles emitting less than 75g/km CO2. It has confirmed that the current version of the grant, worth up to £5,000, will end this year, at a date yet to be confirmed. Until that date, OLEV has said that it will honour any deal placed on its system for a qualifying car, provided that the vehicle has been allocated to a customer and is delivered and registered within nine months.
Continue ReadingGlass’s calls for ‘grown up debate’ to avoid ‘demonising diesel’
Central government and local authorities should think hard and look at the facts before making major policy changes in the name of in the name of achieving green environmental improvements, says Glasss. They point out that knee jerk reactions to studies showing the negative impact of diesel emissions on urban air quality could be counterproductive as well as affect sales and use of diesel cars and commercial vehicles.
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