| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Is Gordon Brown, Yellow or Green ? | |
| Posted by: | David Giles | |
| Date/Time: | 03/03/08 14:33:00 |
| I am not convinced that a further increase in fuel duty will stop people using motor vehicles. The UK already has one of the highest rates of fuel duty combined with VAT in the world.Adding on 2p/litre or even 5p/litre will not dramatically affect things. However if people have a choice, they may take it. For example I had the choice of going by minibus to Coventry to watch a rugby match on Saturday and I did so for £10 instead of paying maybe about £30 in petrol of which about £22.50 would have been tax of various sorts.That evening I had to go to Reigate, returning late, so I took the car. On Saturday I spoke to a someone who works for a major household-name pharmaceutical manufacturing, wholesale and retail business. He says his company's vehicles drive 40 million miles per annum delivering to hospitals, clinics, pharmaciers, suppermarkets and other outlets. Escalating duel costs are a major concern but will not change or reduce the way the company operates because there is no practical althernative. Fuel cost increases are simply passed onto their customers.More expensive fuel means more expensive medicines, more expensive food and more expensive many things. UK Hauliers are facing unfair competition from foreign hauliers who fill up with cheap diesel in France or Ireland and then deliver or pick up loads in the UK. However, rejecting BAA's proposals to expand Heathrow would make a real difference. |