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Article: Small firms in call for fuel tax cuts as price rises pile on pressure ; Business owners in Devon have spoken of their anger at rising fuel costs amid warnings that it is stifling growth and employment.
- Article from:
- Express & Echo (Exeter UK)
- Article date:
- June 18, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2008 Express & Echo (Exeter UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Business owners in Devon have spoken of their anger at rising
fuel costs amid warnings that it is stifling growth and employment.
Figures from the Federation of Small Businesses show that recent
fuel price increases are already having a dramatic effect on the
country's economy.
In an FSB poll of more than 9,000 small business owners, more
than 80 per cent said fuel costs are likely to make it more
difficult for them to expand their business and hire more staff in
the next 12 months.
And nearly 40 per cent said fuel costs would make it likely they
will have to cut staff in the next 12 months.
David Shephard, Devon FSB policy chairman, said: "Small
businesses are reaching breaking point. If ...