Fleet software in the news
FLEET INDUSTRY DEMANDS FISCAL STABILITY AND HELP FROM CONFIDENCE-BOOSTING PRE BUDGET REPORT
Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling must take action in the Pre Budget Report to stimulate business and consumer confidence as recession begins to grip the UK and global economies, according to Jason Francis, managing director of expanding fleet management software company Jaama.
Amid warnings from economic experts that the UK economy is in ‘meltdown’ and unemployment could reach the three million mark, Mr Francis said: “The Pre Budget Report on Monday, November 24 is the ideal opportunity for the Government to raise confidence. It must not take any action on that day or in the forseeable future that will leave people out of pocket.”
Mr Francis was speaking after receiving an email communication from 10 Downing Street in response to a website petition calling for fuel duty reductions. He signed the summertime petition when fuel prices were reaching record levels along with more than 304,000 other people.
The response from the Prime Minister’s office said that there would be “no increase n fuel duty this year”. Number 10 added: “Successive decisions by the Government not to increase fuel duty mean that it is now 17% lower in real terms than in 1999.”
Mr Francis said: “Not only should fuel duty not be increased in the Pre Budget Report, but the Chancellor should commit to current levels being held at least until there is economic recovery and that is predicted to be 2010. Fiscal stability and help with no nastly shocks is what is required.”
Motor industry Pre Budget Report content speculation centres on the possibility of the Chancellor performing a U-turn on Vehicle Excise Duty rises due on April 1, 2009 and the expectation that he will announce the final details on changes to corporation tax rules on business cars, which are due to be introduced on the same date.
Mr Francis said: “Cost-conscious fleets are now reviewing their company car choice lists in the light of the new corporation tax rules that mean there are cash savings for cars with emissions below 160 g/km. However, there are a number of unknowns, not least the treatment of rental cars, that need clarification.
“Meanwhile, a partial or complete abandonment of VED increases will not only give help to cash-strapped organisations and consumers, but could give a partial boost to the depressed residual values of higher emission defleeted company cars.”
PR Contact details:
Ashley Martin
Ashley Martin Communications
Tel: 01733 390691, 07801 434338
Email: ashley.martin32@btopenworld.com
-Ends-
About Jaama
Jaama is a fleet software and occupational road safety specialist. As a certified Microsoft® development partner, Jaama uses the latest technology to provide customers with greater integration, control and automation. It brings innovative vehicle management software to fleet operators, contract hire and leasing companies. And Jaama is the first to combine fleet management software and risk management services to help customers meet their driver health and safety responsibilities under occupational road safety regulations.
http://www.jaama.co.uk
Back to fleet software press cuttings
