Red diesel

That this House recognises the cliff edge scenario for the construction, waste and haulage industry that has been caused as a result of the Government's proposed changes in the red diesel rebate that are due to take effect on 1 April 2022; calls on the Treasury to delay that change given other escalating costs and allow time for greener alternatives to actually become available to industry; notes that, for such a significant change in taxation, the economic climate and context within the industry should be key determinants when choosing the time to implement that change; argues that that change is being pursued at a time when construction companies are under unprecedented pressures, with unprecedented input cost rises across materials and energy; acknowledges that the Government has stated that that change is necessary to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions but asserts that that is a flawed logic since the technology and alternative fuel sources to power the construction and transport industry is simply not available right now; further asserts that as a result of the timing of that change, users will switch from red to white diesel, and indeed because some biofuels are also having their rebate withdrawn, users will also be switching from biofuel to diesel; asserts that it is imperative that the Government rethink this policy and permit industry a transition period to allow time for the development of alternative fuels and machinery that can use those alternative fuels.