New research has revealed that the recent 2p increase in diesel duty will cost the UK’s van drivers an extra £108 million.

Vansunited is now calling on the Government to provide subsidies for the UK’s small businesses.

Over 38% of small businesses rely upon vans and there are three million vans on the roads.

There are no fuel subsidies available to the van-driving small business community.

Duncan Colman, manager of Vansunited said: “We understand the requirement for green taxes, but are calling for a subsidy for small business owner.

"There are plans for another 2p rise in fuel duty in April and potentially another in 2009.

"According to industry experts, the rise in the price of North Sea oil will generate an extra £3 billion for the Treasury – which will be enough to fund a 6p cut in fuel duty. We have to ask ourselves exactly how much they want to squeeze us for.”