Roddy Graham, commercial director of Leasedrive and chairman of the ICFM, said: ‘The cancellation of the three pence per litre fuel duty rise scheduled for September this year is of course welcomed by businesses and consumers alike to keep UK PLC on the move.

‘Probably more important is the announced extra £3bn expenditure in infrastructure. While the Government stated that more had been spent on roads in a generation a lot more needs to be done to repair and maintain our roads, some of which are in “Third World” condition.

‘The U-turn on tax incentives for ultra-low vehicle emissions is to be welcomed although a zero tax would have encouraged more to go down the EV road.

‘We are disappointed that despite heavy lobbying the Chancellor has chosen not to reverse his controversial decision to exclude leasing companies from the 100% first year allowances for ultra-low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles.’