Family Car Drivers In Worcestershire Will Pay Double VED (West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats)

West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats <contact.us@westworcslibdems.org.uk>

Family Car Drivers In Worcestershire Will Pay Double VED

June 11, 2008 11:52 AM

Drivers of family saloons like the Ford Mondeo, registered between March 1st 2001 and 23rd March 2006, will have to pay over double the current rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) by 2010, raking in around £5million from Worcestershire drivers alone on current figures, claims local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt.

Under new Treasury plans, increases on vehicles currently in Band F (187 - 226g/km carbon dioxide emissions) will see VED rise from £210 this year to £300 in 2009 and £430 in 2010.

Mr Burt has written to the Chancellor, Alistair Darling to explain the effect of retrospective VED rises on older vehicles for essential family car users on tight budgets in rural areas like Worcestershire. He said the new tax grab was unfair, would do nothing to help the environment, and gave green taxes a bad name.

Richard Burt said: "Owners of many family vehicles, including the popular Ford Mondeo, will see the cost of their tax disc rocket to more than double over the next two years. This will do nothing to change people's driving habits, but it will make a big hole in the pockets of hard pressed Worcestershire families.

"Those who rely on older vehicles for essential transport are already feeling the pinch from increased fuel prices and the higher cost of living. Many simply cannot afford to buy a cleaner, more fuel efficient model at the present time.

"Raising VED duties on the most polluting NEW vehicles can change people's purchasing habits, but a retrospective rise on older vehicles is nothing more than a cynical ploy to help fill the treasury coffers."