THE Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has written to chancellor Jeremy Hunt ahead of the upcoming Spring Budget to urge the treasury to work with the sector to address the areas of greatest concern.
The trade body has called upon the treasury to commit to extending the now permanent Full Expensing Allowance to every aspect of the construction plant hire industry.
The CPA also wants to see an extension to the 2022 cut in fuel duty for two years, given increased uncertainty due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.
Other matters the treasury has been urged to consider are the temporary reintroduction of the rebate for HVO to the construction industry for at least the next two years, and to explore the feasibility of a trial scrappage scheme for NRMM (non-road mobile machinery) operators operating in Freeport zones, with a view to widening the scheme on a national basis.
CPA President Brian Jones said, “The Spring Budget provides the ideal opportunity for the chancellor to provide clear leadership and engagement with our industry. Since the last budget, the CPA has worked closely with the treasury and the HMRC to explore ways to extend the Full Expensing Allowance to the plant hire industry. Whilst these meetings have been constructive, our members still remain unable to apply for the allowance and we hope this will be addressed, as well as other areas of key concern, such as an extension of a cut in fuel duty, rebates for HVO and a trial scrappage scheme for NRMM operators.
“Since the Autumn Statement in November last year, the wider backdrop of continued economic uncertainty, and the cancellation of large infrastructure projects such as Phase 2 of HS2, CPA members have continued to demonstrate their professionalism and resilience in delivering for the wider construction industry. The plant hire industry continues to work for its clients, adding value and building the houses, workplaces, schools, hospitals and infrastructure of a modern, dynamic economy.”
