So says Fuel Card Services, adding that fleets shouldn’t anticipate any reduction in either fuel duty or road tax.

Group marketing manager, Steve Clarke said: “David Cameron’s outright majority in the Commons means relatively stable government for at least the first couple of years, but the EU referendum is going to be a major distraction from everyday business. Meanwhile, the deficit still has to be tackled and George Osborne will have little room for manoeuvre, especially given all the pre-poll tax and spending commitments. Much as the economy would certainly benefit from financial help for commercial road users, expecting anything significant would represent unrealistic optimism.”

The election took place in an environment that was equally unhelpful for fleet managers, whether they were running HGVs, PCVs, cars or anything else. On polling day itself, oil prices were showing a 50% price increase since the beginning of the year.

“Fleets of all sizes and types can expect tough times for the foreseeable future,” said Clarke, “so we all have to hope that the promised light at the end of the tunnel does not turn out to be an oncoming train.”