Van registrations are starting to stabilise with units down by 0.7% to 15,164 in November.

Despite the monthly figures, van registrations are still down by 36.9% year-to-date to 188,730 units.

Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, said: "Although vans are down 36% on the rolling year, the 0.8% decline in November suggests registrations have stabilised.

"It is vital that government uses the Pre-Budget Report to sustain the early signs of recovery in consumer confidence and enhance the capital allowances system to boost business investment."