The BMRA Secretariat would like to assure members that we continue to fight for a postponement to the removal of the Sector’s entitlement to use red diesel, especially in the light of current global events. We have focused our efforts of late on the Chancellor himself. Most notably:

• Dr Dan Poulter has agreed to sponsor a letter directed to the Chancellor, and co-signed by a cohort of MPs, asking him to delay the removal of our exemption.
• The leader of the DUP, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has written to the Chancellor explicitly to ask him to pause “plans to remove the rebate on red diesel which will drive up costs in our construction sector”.
• Gregory Campbell MP has tabled the following Written Question: “To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will postpone restrictions on the use of red diesel from April 2022 in the context of recent and forthcoming increases in the cost of living”.

In addition, BMRA has signed a joint letter alongside related Trade Associations such as ESA and the Recycling Association, reiterating our main points, including: the increased tax bill is not tenable for many recycling companies; viable alternatives when it comes to plant do not yet exist; and, even if such plant existed, over a third of companies in the sector do not have sufficient or any access to the grid.
 
Help us, to help you
It is still not too late for members to get involved. Here are some ways you can get involved
Write to your MP, asking for a meeting or that they write directly to the Chancellor.

BMRA members can login to dobwload the template letter and Briefing document. 

Contact your local paper and television news station. Given the likely impact on local businesses, they may get on board, especially in the current world environment. Here is an example of what one member has done. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00158bg/look-north-east-yorkshire-and-lincolnshire-lunchtime-news-10032022