So, Greedy Gordon has decided to fleece us further by implementing the fuel tax increase he promised us back in April. Odd that, a politician keeping his promise. With crude oil now at $83 per barrel, and interest rates creeping up, even greater pressure on our personal budgets is just what we’re all crying out for right now.
What’s the betting that when the PM calls an election next year, he’ll try to sweeten us all up with a small cut in the duty on fuel? He’ll have already enjoyed an extra 2p per litre flowing into his coffers for six months – except it’s not 2p per litre – it’s actually 2.3p per litre. Not only do we all fork out fuel duty (which is a tax), but we also pay VAT on that duty (which is a tax). So we’re paying a tax on a tax! If you pay 95p for a litre of unleaded, nearly 64p of that goes straight to the Treasury!
Unsurprisingly, the antis are saying the latest increase isn’t enough, and that we should be forking out at least a fiver for every litre we put in our tanks. Predictably, Transport 2000 (largely funded by public transport operators and now known as the Campaign for Better Transport) is saying the increase is welcome – as long as the extra money raised is spent directly on public transport. Hmm, let me see – I bet that’s exactly why Gordon Brown has instigated the rise – to spend all the extra cash on buses.
Of course we’re told that such increases are essential if we’re to stop the world overheating, but the Government knows only too well that it’s convenience, not price, which dictates the mode of transport we choose. That raises the issue of whether or not mankind has really had any effect on the Earth’s climate, but that’s one for another day methinks…
I agree Richard….
This needs to be addressed at another time, post the apparent impending election saga etc.
Martin.
AlfaMartini | 02 Oct 07 - 16:20