New pay-per-mile changes branded 'attack on freedom' - full list of drivers affected
Motorists could soon be hit with new pay-per-mile car tax changes but a leading politician has slammed the new updates and outlined the impact it could have on road users.
New pay-per-mile car tax changes have been blasted as an “attack on freedom”with certain motorists set to be massively affected.
Kevin Foster, former minister of state for transport, claimed a new mileage system would impact road users' ability to “make a living” or “visit relatives”.
A road pricing system has been debated for years but a scheme has never come to fruition.
However, there are rumours the policy could finally be pushed ahead after Adam Smith, former chief of staff to Jeremy Hunt, claimed that Treasury officials were drawing up plans for a system.
A new charge would likely replace the existing Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rate which currently stands at £190 per annum for petrol and diesel owners.
Mr Foster told GB News: “Pay-per-mile car tax is simply an attack on freedom and the ability to use your car/van to make a living, visit relatives or simply enjoy yourself.”
Experts have warned the introduction of a per-mile system could “disproportionately” affect certain individuals.
Those living in rural areas without access to public transport might be unable to reduce their mileage.
Similarly, those who face long commutes to the office will likely face higher costs compared to those who work at home.
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Although the policy has yet to be finalised, experts at the Resolution Foundation have previously suggested fees could stand around 6p per mile.
Express analysis shows motorists would have to travel just over 3,000 miles to exceed the current £190 yearly charge.
The Campaign for Better Transport suggested a 2p per mile fee while a variable rate has also been discussed by specialists.
This would see rates fluctuate with higher fees during rush hour and for travelling around certain locations.
Previous polling from Go Compare found just 26 percent of individuals support the introduction of pay-per-mile.
The survey found 52.82 percent of road users believe a new system would “be used as a way of increasing tax”.
However, Mr Foster has urged road users to “stand against” pay-per-mile and show how unpopular changes would be.
He added: “Now with the politics of envy and environmental virtue signalling back in Downing Street, it rises from the political graveyard, set to grasp at working Britain. Yet it is those very voters who can stand against it.
"Campaigning during the Uxbridge By-Election quickly made clear how popular Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ tax was with many voters Labour felt certain would back them.”
Drivers set to be most affected by new pay-per-mile fee
- Commuters
- Drivers who live in rural areas
- Families.
