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Darling forced to change gear over car tax plans



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Published Date: 29 June 2008
By Kate Foster
LABOUR has been forced to scrap its plans for a costly hike in car tax that would have affected millions of motorists.
Chancellor Alistair Darling yesterday backed down on the issue to head off a backlash by Labour MPs. Darling said he would reconsider a 'green tax' plan to increase vehicle excise duty retrospectively on cars bought before 2001.

The proposals would have left 18 million drivers facing above-inflation rises for car tax. Ministers are said to be concerned that the Government was antagonising motorists at a time when households are facing soaring petrol and food prices.

The tax plan will be debated in the Commons on Wednesday, but almost 50 MPs have signed a motion calling on ministers to "reconsider" charging drivers retrospectively.

Darling has privately assured MPs that he will listen to their concerns.

Under the changes, almost 70% of drivers would pay up to £245 a year more to license a family car. Those buying a brand new vehicle would be charged a levy of £950.





The full article contains 179 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 28 June 2008 7:40 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
 
1

MisterN,

Scotland 29/06/2008 10:10:29
Labours Green credentials = TAX TAX TAX.
2

SouthernSkye,

29/06/2008 10:29:45
Congratulations Mr Darling. For once we have an MP listening to his peers and the public and acting correclty. Shame he needed so many people to point out the obvious issues with his retrospective tax and could not see it for himself.
3

Euan,

Edinburgh 29/06/2008 12:08:57
I think in all honesty that in the not too distant future will will no longer have a Labour Government.

The abolishement of the 10p tax band, the proposed further rises in fuel duty, the silly car tax increases the article mentiones are all going to be big nails in Labour's coffin.

Thing is though, in true, time-honoured Labour fashion, before they are voted out, they will no doubt try and push through a raft of further tax hikes designed to rob UK citizens of even more money...

Rip off Britain.
4

yockel,

29/06/2008 14:21:18
#2 SS and acting correctly - not yet and possibly in your dreams
5

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 29/06/2008 15:32:52
"Darling said he would reconsider..."

But then he could change his mind again could he not. The whole "green tax" business has been shown up for what it is - a complete sham and only to line Treasury pockets (yet again). Any excuse for another dip into the taxpayers' pockets. Notice that he's not reconsidering the £950 tax on new cars! Nor presumably the drastic hike in road tax for new cars in certain bands. Typically Labour politicians are moaning on behalf of their electorate, not for the correctness or otherwise of the measures themselves.

If the fund were channeled into research for alternatives to carbon based fuel there might be some sympathy but there's absolutely no transparency on what happens to the revenues raised - what a surprise.
6

Jimbo2,

29/06/2008 15:50:44
"The proposals would have left 18 million drivers facing above-inflation rises for car tax. Ministers are said to be concerned that the Government was antagonising motorists at a time when households are facing soaring petrol and food prices."

What they really mean is: Ministers are said to be concerned that the Government was antagonising 18 million motorists at a time when an election is looming. Labour Ministers are concerned that their noses could be removed from the trough.
7

Joe Macdelta.,

29/06/2008 16:14:10
5# In total agreement, only an excuse, now where have I heard that.
8

truthsleuth,

30/06/2008 00:46:59
How long will it take for you petrolheads to learn cutting petrol tax only means you have to pay the difference in income tax or vat or lose public services.

Get your heads out of your exhaust pipe and stop thinking with your accelerator pedal in your mouth.
It id quite easy to cut your petrol consumption by economical (safe) driving.
Cutting your speed on the Motorway from 70 (i bet) to 50 mph would be astart. More sensible use of the accelerator and brake would be the next step keeping tyres correctly inflated, removal of 'photon drive' deices could then follow.
Finally leaving your automobile dummy substitute at home and using the bus/train could help even more.
I as a motorist say
Keep the fuel tax escalator.
Keep all taxes on fuel.
Reduce income tax or invest the extra tax revenue in public transport and especially that which will reduce the nations dependency on oil and the Arabs.
9

Mr A Roy,

30/06/2008 19:17:09
They also said they had scrapped plans to introduce road pricing, I didnt believe that either. And didn't they promise a referendum on the EU treaty !

 

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