More fleet operators think the Budget will have a positive effect on their companies' business than believe there will be a negative impact, according to a new survey.

In a survey of 100 companies operating 10 or more vehicles, 44% believed the Budget would be good for business 33% said the chancellor’s measures would have a negative impact, while 22% felt they would make no difference.

TrackCompare, which carried out the survey in April, also asked its fleet customers what more the government could have done to help them.

More than three quarters of respondents said lowering the current duty on fuel would have made a bigger difference, while 22% believed a reduction in the rate of VAT would have provided the greatest benefit.

TrackCompare director, Kjell Anderton, said: "While the duty on fuel won’t change in the near future there are some positive signals from the commodities markets, with the price of crude oil continuing its downward trend.

"On April 5, it hit a new low for 2013, closing at $106.5 per barrel, down from over $118 in February.

"Although price changes at the pumps are always behind the commodities markets, any fall in the cost of producing crude is good news for businesses and motorists alike."