FLEET operators will face unnecessary costs if the Government continues to refuse to come clean about its future taxation strategy for both company cars and Vehicle Excise Duty, according to PHH Vehicle Management. The claim from Britain's biggest fleet management company comes six weeks after the Association of Car Fleet Operators called on fleet managers to bombard their MPs and the Government with letters calling for tax clarity.

To date the Government has both hinted at and drip-fed details on company car tax from 2002 and Vehicle Excise Duty plans from autumn next year, but such a policy means fleet managers cannot make any long-term strategic decisions. This week PHH Vehicle Management environmental services manager James Langley said: 'We believe the Government should follow its previous own example.

'It has already outlined its intentions for both fuel duty and fuel scale charges and this has helped companies prepare for the impact that these changes will have on their fleet. It has yet to give any clear indications on what else it is proposing.' Langley added: 'If the Government wants to change the mindset, as opposed to merely raising revenue, being more open about the future strategy will achieve this far more quickly.'