HAULAGE firm bosses have slammed the rise in VAT and fuel duty as a “double whammy” for businesses in Thurrock.

The Government raised the cost of VAT from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent on Tuesday and fuel duty was added to pump prices on New Year’s Day, sending prices soaring by an average of 3.55p for a litre of unleaded petrol and 3.64p for diesel.

Rob Norden, group company secretary for the Canute Haulage Group, in Purfleet, explained his company have had to raise prices in line with the jump.

He said: “This is a double whammy for all the many haulage companies in Thurrock, and like all costs it is going to end up with the customer.

“I am really annoyed – it is yet another problem for the industry. Small haulage firms cannot survive.

“There is nothing we can do to avoid it unfortunately. It makes times very hard.”

Graham Loveland, secretary of Thurrock Business Association, added: “This will be tough for Thurrock’s economy as many people are disadvantaged.

“It is also a double whammy for residents because they will have less money in their pockets and they will be getting squeezed at work as well.

“It is not a positive outlook at the moment, but in time hopefully with the new port that will be new jobs to Thurrock and it will all improve.”