Fuel costs an issue for members

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Fuel costs an issue for members

Employees are finding it difficult to claim back the cost of all fuel used when transporting the heavy gear and equipment they need to do their jobs, said Chris Hardy (Scottish and Southern Energy).



Motorway

Chris HardyChris Hardy was moving a motion at the energy supply industry conference calling on the executive to lobby for an increase in HMRC mileage rates so that members who found themselves out of pocket could be recompensed.

“In SSE, we find we end up actually subsidising the company’s fuel bill,” he said.

Allan WalesAllan Wales (ScottishPower) called on conference to remit the motion on the grounds that HMRC was the wrong target.

“There is an issue with the mileage rates. But where we are having problems is when the company does not pay the rates that are permissible under existing HMRC rules. They are telling members they can claim the difference from HMRC themselves through the tax system.”

He said that, in effect, the tax system was supporting multinational companies. However, delegates disagreed and carried the motion.

Photographer: Stefano Cagnoni