There was some good news for hauliers in yesterday's Budget with confirmation that the proposed rise in fuel duty next month will be delayed.

As was widely predicted ahead of Alistair Darling's Commons statement yesterday lunchtime, fuel duty will now not go up by 2p per litre until October.

The move follows massive rises in the price of oil, which have in turn led to higher prices at the petrol and diesel pump.

"Fuel duty is due to rise again in April but because I want to support the economy now and help business and families I will postpone that increase until October," Mr Darling said.

However, there was a commitment to further increases in the future.

"For environmental reasons we will increase fuel duty by 0.5 pence per litre in real terms from 2010," he added.

Road hauliers had been calling on the government ahead of the Budget for a helping hand.

As well as rising fuel prices, many firms are facing stiff competition from foreign companies.

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