FIRMS' future fleet plans are flying in the face of Government objectives to reduce reliance on motor transport and increase the use of public transport. A survey of 100 leading fleet decision-makers has found that more employees are qualifying for company cars, and that businesses are allocating larger budgets to pay for them.

PHH Vehicle Management questioned 51 company chairmen, managing directors and finance directors, along with 49 fleet managers, and found that company car expenditure had increased over the last three years and is set to increase further over the next year. The survey discovered that 99% of those questioned were aware of the Government's transport plans, but only 8% of the companies had significantly changed their company car policy as a result.

Half doubted whether a reduction in the number of company cars on UK roads would reduce either congestion or pollution, and just 28% have taken action to reduce the number of employees eligible for a company car.