May I emphasise my strong support for the beleaguered haulage industry businesses, many of whom are based in our region and provide much-needed employment.

They are suffering as a direct result of the Government's fuel tax increases.

However, there are also many other victims of this outrageous 'hike' in taxes, none more so than the charities who will now struggle to keep minibuses and other vehicles on the road.

Those hit hardest are therefore not only the hauliers, but also the pensioners, the infirm, the children, the small businesses and all those living in rural areas - the very people who need their vehicles most.

The plight of the UK haulage industry is of desperate concern but everybody is penalised by increasing fuel prices: transport costs underpin the entire economy and by pushing fuel prices up we will all foot the bill and suffer as a result.

It is time the Government came up with more imaginative solutions to Standstill Britain, rather than just penalising motorists, treating drivers as wallets on wheels, and putting communities at risk.

Timothy Kirkhope,

Conservative Prospective Euro Candidate for Yorkshire,

Dewar Close,

Collingham,

Wetherby.

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