Phillip
Stone - Why YOU Need to Belong to a Trade Association for Couriers - My Annual Rant -
From the DA Chief Executive
“ Dear Phil, - I am looking around to try & find a trade body that I might join, in able to get my views and concerns aired to the government about the effects of their policies on my business and countless others in the courier industry. I have researched a number of other organisations, and it appears that all the 'big boys' or National & International courier companies have aligned themselves and are represented in Parliamentary Select Committee meetings by AICES.....
DA
Action for the Courier Industry - Successful appeal to generous DA couriers -
DA members will recall an appeal through the DA Newsletter made by Keith Perry of Cambridge Courier Services to support him in raising funds for Kidney Research UK. Well, ‘mad’ Keith made his successful leap from a plane flying at 13,000 ft. in late March and by so doing raised over £1500 - his target was £1000....
Money
News MPs among others are already questioning the Government’s ability to police the new entrepreneurs’ relief scheme according to reports -
The entrepreneurs’ relief rate, announced by the Chancellor in January as a concession to small businesses, will offer individuals a 10% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate on the first £1 million of gains they make over a lifetime...
Road Transport - Europe’s new ideas on road safety -
The European Commission has put forward proposals which the DfT is considering that will protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users from collisions with passenger cars and light vans...
Focus
on Business First Reviews released -
The first Hampton Implementation Reviews, which aim to put an end to the one-size-fits-all approach to business regulation, have been released..
End Piece - Watch Out! Road Pricing is Still About
Just when you thought that 1.8 million signatories to the anti-road pricing petition on the Downing Street website signalled the end of this poorly-thought out concept comes government backdoor plans that could see it back on the agenda...
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The DA ! -
Ask for an application form, or request a call from the DA Chief Executive
... New ! - The
Riders and Drivers Associates. Only £58.75 to join. Visit the
website for more information...
The European Commission has put forward proposals which the DfT is considering that will protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users from collisions with passenger cars and light vans.
The proposals would mainly increase the upper maximum mass limit for light goods vehicles from 2.5t to 3.5t. An exemption is proposed for goods vehicles with a ‘flat front’ design. The Commission also proposes using an enhanced braking function, Emergency Brake Assist, and some other gadgetry called a Collision Avoidance System. But don’t hold your breath; implementation isn’t planned until 11 years, yes, 11 years after adoption.
The King Review into low-carbon cars now completed -
Commissioned a year ago, Professor Julia King’s report makes these key recommendations:
1. Reducing vehicle emissions Existing low emission vehicle technologies should be brought from ‘the shelf to the showroom’ as quickly as possible and steps taken to ensure that consumer demand creates a market for these low emission vehicles. A new car sales weight average carbon dioxide emission level of 130g/km should be implemented in line with EU proposals by 2012 and a 100g/km target adopted for 2020.
2. Cleaner fuels The short-term focus of European policy should move back from biofuels to automotive technology. The EU biofuel target of 10 per cent by 2020 should be revised downwards. Further biofuels development must be sustainable, based on the growing understanding of their indirect effects
3. Consumer behaviour Carbon dioxide labelling on new cars and vans should be strengthened and extended to second-hand vehicles. Dashboard technology to promote fuel efficient driving should be made mandatory
Citroen goes nuclear -
The Sellafield nuclear power station recently got its first Citroën Relay Ready to Run Luton van specified to work as an on-site laundry van. It has a full, hygienically washable interior and DEL 500kg tail lift with auto-erect safety gates. Buckstone Motor Bodies, which did the bodywork, says that the advantage of its Citroën Ready to Run Luton vans is that they can be tailored for specialist use yet keep all the benefits of the standard product, such as the full warranty terms.
UK fleets still undervaluing safety -
When selecting a fleet vehicle, corporate fleet decision makers cite vehicle reliability (94 per cent), safety (89 per cent) and duty of care (87 per cent) to be their three most important criteria. This is shown by the latest research published recently by Driving for Better Business partner, Bosch. However, when it comes to actually managing fleets, these safety concerns do not always readily translate into initiatives to improve the work-relating driving safety of associates: two thirds of the fleet managing companies state to have taken actions to improve road safety. The requirement for vehicles to be fitted with certain safety equipment are part of a road safety prevention plan for less than 50 per cent of respondents.
Today’s vehicle safety technologies, in particular crash avoidance technologies open up new dimensions in driving safety.
Why join the DA ?
Who else is going to fight your corner and stand up for your rights -
The Despatch Association challenge the government on issues such as parking and employment law
Provide a first class level of support to your personal queries on how to handle difficult situations such as employment tribunals
We will keep you informed of the latest issues affecting your trade
You will gain respect from your clients (maybe even win more business!) as part of a recognised trade body
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