Shadow Transport Secretary Chris Grayling reckons that introducing a national road pricing scheme - charging all lorries to use British roads - would help domestic hauliers compete with those from Europe.

Many haulage firms have been forced out of business because they cannot compete with their Continental rivals. Diesel bought in France costs around 20p less per litre than in Britain.

Mr Grayling told The Times that introducing a charge for all lorries would help to level the playing field because funds raised from the scheme would be used to reduce fuel duty.