More stealth taxes


The Government was forced to abandon the fuel price escalator when the road blockades took place three years ago. But now it is back, with stealth. Yes, Gordon Brown is whacking something like 7p extra tax onto fuel prices. It's a tax that bites particularly hard on the North East of Scotland.

I can well remember the tractor blockades of the roads into Aberdeen during the fuel price protests. In particular I remember thinking I had finally found a way into Aberdeen along Countesswells Road, only to find that it, too, had been blockaded.

These protests forced the Government to sit up and take notice of the mood of the country and they abolished the "fuel price escalator". But Gordon Brown is hoping that we will not notice his hike of almost 7p per gallon in fuel tax. It was announced at the budget and postponed until now, in the hope that this would ease it in gently.

Hopefully his sleight of hand will not work. At a stroke the Chancellor will put us right back at the top with the unenviable accolade of being, probably, the most EXPENSIVE and HEAVILY TAXED country in the WORLD when it comes to road fuel.

And remember this tax is, quite simply, a tax on moving goods and people. (Study after study has shown that tax adjustments like this have no effect on fuel useage.)

As such it will impact most heavily on those who have further to travel -

To bring materials to our industries.
To deliver goods to our markets.
To attend business meetings.
To go to the shops.
To visit friends.
To go on holiday.

So while those with heavily-subsidised transport services in and around Westminster may find 7p a gallon impacts little on their 10-minute drive to the commuter train, those of us who live in the North East of Scotland will have to watch as businesses - already teetering on the financial brink - fail or relocate.

Let's hope it doesn't take tractor blockades this time to get the message across that we are fed up of being marginalised. Our businesses and many families, particularly in rural areas, simply cannot cope with increased transport costs.

Posted: Fri - September 26, 2003 at 09:52 AM          

©