Following today’s Autumn Statement Chris Weeks, executive director of the National Body Repairers Association (NBRA) said:
“We are very pleased with the Chancellor decision to provide £13.6bn support in business rates over the next 5 years. This will provide some small relief to body shops already dealing with soaring energy bill prices and the cost-of-living crisis. Body shops play a vital role for the automotive industry and are crucial to our communities, therefore government financial support is imperative and welcomed.”
“The decision taken by the Chancellor to extend the Vehicle Exercise Duty makes the transition to electric vehicles more difficult.
This will be disappointing for all the body shops that have invested heavily in training and equipment for EV repair and will inevitably lengthen their return on investment. It sends out mixed messages for consumers and businesses who are increasingly losing trust in Government’s ability to fully commit to a motoring direction which our industry is increasingly embracing.”
“Overall, the Autumn Budget promises some support for businesses in these critical times, but does not provide much relief for motorists and Bodyshop employees who will be under increasing financial pressure over the coming year. With inbound inflation eclipsing growth in commercial terms for repairers, bodyshops can also expect a difficult 12 months.”
NBRA will continue to engage with the government to ensure support for body shops and vehicle repairers.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Annaluce Cavalmoretti
NBRA Communications Executive
201 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5AB
Direct: +44 (0) 0207 307 3414
