Your Comments

Well you voted for them.............!

I'd rather a tax increase on fuel, whcih is then mileage related, than a flat annual tax increase. However, I share the general view that the motorist taxation level is far too high.

I am strongly against the additional 2p on fuel duty. The current reduction in fuel prices will not last long and in the not too distant future prices will again to reach an all time high. The increase in fuel duty will once again hit the motorist hard and ultimately result in higher prices in the shops for food and other goods.

T his government has a lot to answer for , they are blaming everyone else for the state of the prices we have to pay for fuel, etc they should lower the tax and sort out all the money that is being spent on people who come into this country and can claim money, when my son died his children couldnt claim as they said they had,nt paid in money , so how do others get it ?????

this tax break isn't going to make any different at all. Jobs going and people still have less money to spend. Can't see it being a very merry Christmas this year for anyone... Petrol prices need to come down to help businesses out !!

a few years back people were incouraged to buy diesel cars because the goverment said it was a clean fuel and they would get better miles to the gallon so people bought diesel cars. as the growth of diesel increased the goverment decided that diesel was not a clean fuel so increased the price of diesel .
Iam lead to believe that diesel cost less to produces than petrol does so why is the cost of diesel much higher than petrol, or are we being taken for fools my this labour goverment.

Typical for this unelected PM of ours to give with one hand and take even more with the other.

I think it is appalling - one tax goes down another tax goes up. As soon as I am able I am going to leave the country for somewhere like Australia.

Why don't we we all just scrap our vehicles as we can no longer afford to run them? Where is the government going to get its revenue from then?

I am a 77 Year old pensioner with 73 year old disabled wife if my wife had been under 65 she could have claimed mobility allowance which means a free car for life including ;servicing; road tax and insurance all out of the mobility allowance, it can be claimed from 3 years up to 65 years then stops with no help over 65 years .
So any increase in petrol prices is streching my budget which is very tight as i am on housing benefit, i dont pay income tax so any goverment tax so i dont get anything out of the budget but still get hit with more tax i believe this to be unfair.

Quite a few years back I was encouraged to buy my property in the countryside, because of the lower cost compared to the cost of property in the cities.
Since those days I have seen the demise of the local shop, post office, selling car tax etc, a regular bus service, gone. The car has become my only form of transport, sell the house you say!
This goverment has had more luck by deception, petrol is yet another stealth tax, given to you with one hand, only to be taken by the other.

Thanks for the free bus pass but there are many occasions that hospital appts. in the City can only be met by using the car. Pensioners struggle enough to pay bills and this petrol tax is just another expense we can do without - especially when the Chancellor expects everybody else to pass on to the consumer the VAT reduction!!

Seems to me that oil prices are now at their 2007 prices, so why are petrol prices not at the same level.

Mr Brown and the Panda would do well to ensure that oil companies are lowering prices rather then increasing fuel taxes................. but that would mean lower income for the goverment, wouldn't it!

I don't know what everyone is complaining about presumably you all chose to live in RIPOFF BRITIAN !!!! The Government as usual is looking after its own, whilst saying it's looking after the people, LOL. Why do they say to people we need to spend our way out of the recession, and push the retailers onto reducing their margins by effectively adding a surcharge to fuel so increasing transport costs at the same time. This is a double whammy where less VAT can be recovered by the haulier and extra duty becomes payable.
If anyone knows of a better place to live please let me know because I have had enough.

I heartily agree with the sentiments in 48 above. There is no justification for the growing differential in the price of diesel compared to petrol as the production costs are much the same as far as I am aware. Diesel is invariably SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER IN OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES so why does the reverse apply in the UK. Is it because the tax applied to diesel is higher (a Government con) or is it charged at a higher price to the filling stations (an oil companies con) or maybe European governments are sensible and levy a lower rate of tax on diesel because it has a big impact on the distribution costs of goods. Whatever the reason, it is UNACCEPTABLE.
As far as the temporary VAT Reduction is concerned the Government said this was targeted at the lower income groups in particular. Would Gordon Brown, Alistair Darling and all the senior officials at the Treasury please attend a course in simple economics (the cost of which could be obtained many times over by disbanding a quango or two which are completely unproductive jobs for the boys). They would learn in Lesson 1 that the lower income groups spend a high proportion of their disposable income on food and energy. There is NO VAT ON FOOD and the 5% VAT on energy bills has remianed unchanged. What a load of idiots. What a crazy democracy when these guys behave like dictators and they were, believe it or not, elected by only 22% of the voting population!

What would this lot do without the motorist?

Political spin doctoring: it's like 2+4/3=2 they look like they are doing something but actually it's just the same - or in this case they make out they are giving (temporary VAT cut) but actually they are taking (permenant fuel duty increas etc) - makes you sick & how much do they get paid for this?

Although I understand a lot of the comments about not using cars etc, however many people work out of town and I could not afford the astonomical prices charged by bus companies

If the goverment had watched its own spending like all the business in the uk have to do to keep going then they could have cut taxes a long time ago.The new budget has done nothing to help small businesses or unemployment and this 2p added to a litre is typical of the labour goverment.I bet when they put vat up to 20% they wont take it back off....if they get in again that is....

If you haven't heard the term 'Peak Oil'; brace yourself as you'll be hearing it a lot more in the years to come. It's been a whispered term for many years, much like "global warming" was back in the 60's.

In 1956, geophysicist Dr. M. King Hubbert predicted that oil production in the USA would reach its peak around 1970 and then go into a state of decline. He also predicted that global oil production would peak around the late 90's/early 21st century. He plotted the increase, peak and decrease of oil production on a graph; and his theory is popularly known as Hubbert's Peak.

Dr Hubbert also flagged with the world the issue not only of declining oil production, but the increasing cost associated in extracting what oil remained after the "low hanging fruit" had been picked.

There is no doubt that the cost of oil production in recent times has been huge - not only in the exploration and production itself in financial terms; but also in terms of environmental damage caused. Added to that has been the huge military expense and associated human suffering caused through wars that have been pushed on the public by their governments as being issues of national safety rather than their true motivation - control of oil reserves. The war in Iraq is a classic example of that.

Dr Hubbert was ridiculed by many when he released his research; but his predictions appear to have come true. USA oil production did indeed go into rapid decline around 1971.

Fact: we are consuming more oil globally and the trend will continue

Fact: it is not a renewable resource in relation to our consumption levels

Fact: countries go to war over control of oil reserves

Fact: oil consumption has a negative impact on the environment

Fact: gas at the pump continues to, generally speaking, increase in price

Fact: many plastics and other trappings of the modern world are made from oil

Fact: the world is running out of easily sourced oil; i.e. production using current technology has peaked, and what oil is left will cost more to pull out of the ground using methods most likely to be even more unfriendly to the environment.

Paints a rather grim picture for our oil addicted society doesn't it? If we're willing to invade a country for oil, how much more aggressive will we be when supply really gets tight?

How does food get to your table? Do you grow it in your yard, or is it trucked in to your supermarket? How do you collect it; do you walk to the supermarket or drive? How do you get to work?

How many affordable alternative energy vehicles are now on the market?

When the Iraq war and other geo-political issues pushed the price of oil to record levels; people stopped buying SUV's. Within a couple of weeks of a drop in prices; they went back to buying them again. It just goes to show how little we learn. We had a taste of what really expensive petrol was like, yet as soon as the pressure was backed off a little; we went straight back to our previous oil-greedy ways.

We won't learn, oil will have to run out or become so horribly expensive that only few can use it to any degree. What will it cost? How much will it impact on the cost of other items? How many more people will have to die and how much more will our environment suffer while we squeeze out the last viable drop of oil that the planet has to offer?

These are important issues to think about - don't rely on governments to provide the answers to a world without oil as they've all been in denial for way too long. Yes, there are renewable/alternative energy programs in place; but given the major role that oil plays in our lives; permeating just about every aspect; whether these new, cleaner technologies can be rolled out before we hit the real crunch is another question.

The time is now to start thinking about and making changes to the way you live so your life is not so oil-centered. Remember that a lack of oil extends far beyond just not being able to drive your car - so many other products, services and industries are based on oil.

Start preparing for a life of austerity. NOW!

Find local employment. Reduce your debts. Reduce your fuel consumption. Grow your own vegetables or buy from local suppliers. Exercise regularly. Insulate your home. Help your family, friends and colleagues to understand the implications of Peak Oil.

I am pleased that the government has taken the steps they have. Many people in this country don't seem to appreciate how lucky we are. How else do you think the government pays for Schools and Hospitals?

So because no one is buying down the highstreet because of the credit crunch they will be dropping VAT but increasing Petrol at the pump, well that still leaves me with no money to buy flash TV's down the 'Highstreet'

Every Labour Party that has been in power since 1946 has ruined the of this Country. It is up to ALL voters to make sure they never get into power again.

Why is the cost of diesel in Cyprus so cheap yet so expensive in the UK???

The government are trying to kick start the economy then then give the motorists another kick with an increase in fuel duty just as the cost of fuel is coming down to a reasonable amount. This is not just the ordinary motorist but also the haulier, thus putting up all goods which we buy at the shops.

This is unbelievable but typical of of Mr Brown, what he gives with 1 hand he takes away with the other

Yet again the easy option has been taken to raise more quick money to make up a shortfall in government funds whilst assuring the public that all is being done to quickly get the economy back on track. Raise the fuel tax and instantly funds come flooding in, the fact that it harms people and has a devastating effect on every aspect of life seems to be immaterial to the government.
I fail to see how this is the best for the country, for me, my family, my friends or even my enemies!
Surely if that darling Darling drastically reduced fuel tax for even say 9 months and abolished stamp duty on house sales the 'loss' in taxes would be no greater than his ludicrous 2.5% vat temporary rate cut.
This would bring on a revival in house sales and instant benefits to all aspects where fuel is a contributory factor cost wise.
To my mind the economy would start to people spend, people pay tax, people keep jobs, government build up yet more money to squander.
The 2.5% wonder (temporary) give away is I believe, a smoke screen to hide a massive hike in vat and other taxes, permanent this time, hitting everything else just as petrol is being singled out at present.
Again I say I cannot see why such an obvious and easy solution cannot be employed.
Oh wait a moment, my solution does not have a hidden agenda, that is why it would fail.

This is yet another example of our duplicitous Prime Minister and Government. Perhaps worst of all is not that 'he' is raising taxes on motoring yet again but that he seems so far divorced from the real world that he believes that we are all too stupid to see through his shenannigans.

I think he forgot to say Happy Christmas from Chancellor and Gord. The price goes up cause he can. 2 yr ago diesel was around 80p but its gone up time and again that we are used to it. We have been stretched up to as far as £1.30 litre, so they know we can pay that. Don't be fooled petrol will keep going up cause they know we will pay it and it is way too expensive. As for that other public shifty boy shadow chance he will be no better.

Re: 10578

Good points there Petal.
Most of the posters here seem to have forgotten they should be counting their blessings.
This blog really isn't the place for the reasoning person, but fantastic for fans of the entitlement society.
Good lord, these people really do believe having fossil fuel energy available to them at such a knockdown price is a basic human right.
Newsflash - wakie wakie, it's a once only opportunity we have been given and we are abusing it mightily.
Peak Oil - please keep up the posting, you may feel you are wading through treacle thick stupidity, but there are those who take notice, over a period a few have found their way to Powerswitch from this dullards blog.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't VAT supposed to be for luxury items? If that's the case when did gas and electricity become a luxury item - or did I miss something!!?!?!?!?!?

As usual motorists are milked every time the government can not balance its books. Fuel taxes affect every one at the end of the day car user or not.

Just think how much power the motorists and pensioners have to lobby votes. the americans do this ll the time.just look at their gun laws ect.
if we could unite motorists and pensioners to put their votes against the powers that be ,they wouldent dare do anything to upset us.

I am sick of this government. My grandad warned me that if Labour ever got back in power this would happen as he was around when they were in before. I have never voted for Labour and never will. I am struggling to keep my head above water and I have 2 jobs... It's a joke to them with their wages. Their holidays every year. Their numerous properties and a huge wad of cash in their pockets. Makes me sick...... Nothing suprises me with them, they just make me more and more angry.

Just as we think the Gordon Brown has screwed
the motorist enough, he wants to dip into our pokets
again. Where does he thiunk the Money is comming
from to pay this extra tax on fuel , hey it's because
we've saved 2.5% on vat. Now the motorist is going
to pay for all the people who don't drive to buy things
we can't afford!! I'm fumming grrr

only one thing to say gordon browns a masterbater

the motorist is easy pickings as usual now the price of fuel is coming down the government are losing out on the vat they where collecting so they are not going to give any more away

This is a typical ploy by the Government treating motorists like idiots. Yes we are all suffering but if the Government were totally committed to sorting this financial mess out then what is the point of reducing VAT on one hand then increasing duty with the other. I am very angry with the price of diesel fuel, The Prime Minister conned us into buying diesel vehicles saying that diesel fuel would always be cheaper than unleaded fuel, in reality the situation has been reversed, in my opinion the Prime Minister should be charged with "Highway Robbery". Its the same old storey, the motorist is yet again being ripped off. Its time we took a leaf out of the French book and started protesting on a "National Scale" instead of sitting back and allowing this sort of government to get away with underhand measures.