Steve Clarke, Abbey Fuelcards sales and marketing manager, said: "The chancellor has missed a perfect opportunity to help a vital sector of the UK economy. Merely putting off a tax increase is of minimal value to an industry already shackled by punitive levels of taxation. Contractors needed a significant fuel tax reduction, but this has just made effective fuel cost management more important than ever."

The fuel cost management benefits of Abbey Fuelcards are increasingly important to users. Fuelcard holders still cite guaranteed lower prices as the main reason for joining."

Abbey Fuelcards has a wide portfolio of fuelcards, offering full advice and network details to help applicants find the best card for their particular needs. Options include:

• Diesel Direct - discounted diesel at over 1100 UK locations
• Fastfuel - discounted petrol and diesel at some 1400 nationwide outlets
• euroShell - discounted diesel at motorway and major trunk road service stations
• ACE - the no-frills free card for savings on fuel nationwide with easy online account management

Readers can find out more about the Abbey Fuelcards range, including the full cost management benefits, at http://www.abbey-fuelcards.co.uk/ or by calling 0845 055 1695.