Tanker workers have voted for strike action.

Following the announcement that tanker workers have voted for strike action which is expected to result in up to 90% of garages being shut across the UK, Alistair Bingle, Managing Director of Bishop’s Move, gives his views.

Alistair Bingle comments: “Just last week at the Budget Mr Osborne failed to drop plans to increase fuel by 3p per litre; now, as if that wasn’t enough to cope with, tanker drivers are planning a strike which could potentially drive fuel prices up by 10 pence per litre. This is very disappointing news for the removals industry, businesses and not to mention hard-working families who use the roads. Petrol prices could well be above 150p a litre by August when the planned 3p a litre increase takes effect. With VAT added, pump prices will rise 3.62p a litre. This has a significantly negative impact on the performances of businesses in the road haulage industry. The amount of fuel that’s consumed throughout the removals industry on a daily basis, even a small hike in price means our costs increase significantly. We can’t always pass on these costs to customers, so we take the hit."

“On his recent trip to the United States, the Prime Minister told a group of students that ‘UK fuel prices would make them faint’. I dare to beg the question; what would their response be now after today’s little announcement?”