Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Clean Air Strategy 2019, what progress he has made in reviewing current uses of red diesel to ensure that its lower cost is not discouraging the transition to cleaner alternatives.

In April 2019 HMT and Defra published a summary of responses to the call for evidence on non-road mobile machinery and red diesel. HMRC also published a research paper on the same topic. These can be found at:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/792651/red_diesel_summary_of_responses_web.pdf

and

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/791883/Non-agricultural_use_of_red_diesel_for_non-road_mobile_machinery_Research_Report.pdf

The government will continue to pursue policies to reduce the overall environmental impact of diesel use and encourage the uptake of alternatives in industries where a practical substitute for diesel engines is available.

All taxes are kept under review and any changes are announced as part of the annual budget process.