Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) the April 2022 changes to rebated diesel entitlement and (b) the oil price since March 2026 on the viability of quarrying businesses.

As the Government announced in May, as part of a £600 million package, there will be no rise in fuel duty this year. This means the temporary 5p cut will be extended until the end of the year, providing certainty to motorists and businesses – including quarries.

Restricting the use of red diesel helps ensure the tax system incentivises users of polluting fuels like diesel to improve the energy efficiency of their vehicles and machinery, invest in cleaner alternatives, or use less fuel.

The activities which remain eligible to use red diesel are set out in HMRC Excise Notice 75.