People are yet to recover from the trauma of increased oil prices. But that is not the end. It seems that there is something more to be loaded to that burden. The vehicle excise duty is likely to rise very soon, affecting almost nine million motorists all around. It may rise up to 44% of vehicles made since 2001- by up to £245 for the most polluting ones – but will fall for 33%. Shocked? But the British government has something else to explain on the matter. This sudden hike in road tax is to check the global warming. It aims to minimize the pollution of air and there is no intention to increase the revenue.
The plan is under severe criticism. And of course it is obvious. Edmund King, the President of Automobile Association (AA) describes it as “politically dangerous”. Does the government have any idea about what would be the effect on common men? High oil prices are already a headache for the motorists, now this so-called green tax is simply making things worst. This may lead to any uncontrolled situation. The government is making fools out of men just to add on to the revenue. So if we analyze, what does it look like- a “green tax” or a “mean tax”?
Ms Angela Eagle, the Treasury Minister while addressing the committee, denied that these changes are simply trying to raise cash. There are many simpler ways raise cash, if it wishes to do so. It was just like consolation to minimize the agitation, when she hinted that motorists could be offered help to replace the older high-polluting vehicles rather than selling them on.
Whether it’s for the sake of minimizing emission or raising revenue, but on e thing is for sure that increase on road tax would be a lot of pain for the motorists. We must wish for a green world, but certainly not at the cost of high road tax.
Source: bbc