Your Comments

Only 2 cheers for Mr Darling on this one: he should have put it up by far more.

It is important that Britain is seen to lead the world in green matters and a substantial increase would have had a major effect in stopping all those unnecessary car journeys (have you seen the number of people who drive into London). In addition, it would be a great way to raise extra funding and would also be slightly inflationary, vital in the days of deflation.

One other thing that surprised me is that he did not put up the duty for gas guzzlers (4x4s and super cars for example), an easy step to take and a good one for the reasons described above.

So Alistair, maybe better next time!


Ferdinand Green

Once again he hits out at the motorist in his Budget more like ruin the nation. I have to drive to work, I have no other way and I drive 50 miles round trip. Jobs the way they are at the moment are not easily come by so I would like to keep mine for now - BUT AT WHAT COST MR CHANCELLOR?

Can he think of no one else to get the money back off for bailing out incompitent Bankers!

Re 4

Hi Polkyb

I think that the latest date for the next election is May next year, so yes he will have another one (plus the mini budget in November)

Cheers

Ferdinand

see #6

Ozie

I know this is slightly off topic, but if you choose not to vote or take part in the democratic process I do not think you can complain when they do things you do not like (like putting up fuel duty).

Peter

No 8 Comment

Thank you so much for your kind words.

You may notice that this website has an "environment" tab, I guess they are "green idiots" too.

Whilst it is OK to disagree, it is rather pathetic to call people names and does nothing to further any argument you may have.

Ferdinand

So the "Fuel Duty Escalator" has been reintroduced.
Oh what a tangled web they weave, still intent to deceive.

Posts 1,5 & 9
For Ferdinand Green read Greg Brown.
Check through the other blogs. He appears in many manifestations.

Post 1:
"a substantial increase would have had a major effect in stopping all those unnecessary car journeys (have you seen the number of people who drive into London)"

And what do you propose all those drivers would do instead of driving into the city? The public transport network in London does a quite frankly amazing job of moving so many people around, but it's already stretched to the limit so expecting it to absorb several tens of thousands new passengers is rather optimistic. Provide realistic alternatives to driving first, THEN try and persuade people out of their cars. Don't just make driving so expensive and unpleasant (reduced limits, suspension-breaking speed humps and potholes, more and more carriageway space coated in various shades of "cars not welcome here" paint or covered over with extended pavements...) that squeezing onto an overcrowded train or bus starts to seem like a good idea.

Besides which, ramping up fuel duty doesn't just hurt private motorists - buses need fuel too, and how do all the shops we're encouraged to walk/take the bus/train to get their stock delivered?



Post 12:
"If you actually bothered to make practical use of the petrol prices part of this site you might find that unleaded is available at the same price as is was in May 2007*"

That the price is the same is no thanks to the tax-mad idiots in Westminster - they've simply been fortunate enough to have their tax raises cancelled out by a corresponding fall in the pre-tax cost of the fuel. So yes, as long as the government continues to take such a huge percentage of every pound we spend at the pumps, it seems entirely appropriate to continue complaining.

i think he has done a grand job well done more increase more money to pay out which will effect the foodand every thing.

so until we start on other fuels and leaving our dependencies on petrol alone.

suckers. yur just a pawn in the uks games.

This government is a disgrace...

How can people buy a new f**king car when the banks wont lend money, how can people afford to run a new car when we all getting made redundant, how can people afford to fill up their new car when the government then decided to tax you to high even before you can even flick the bloody ignition.... i think its time that Darling and Brown are made redundant and made to live a life on £48 a week like nearly 3 million British citizens have too.

now fuel duty is up, Mr Tesco and Asda will increase there food prices to counter the cost of delivery etc. hence i will have even less to spend then my mortgage will be not paid then i will get my house took off me and ultimately the government will be forced to provide me with housing and benifits to live. all becaause they got greedy at one side of the tax system..!!!

Mr Darling and Mr Brown i hope you get hit by a bus.....

oh and green taxes...!! biggest con going..!! go to hell labour..!

Yet again the motorist takes another hit, How does the Government think people can afford this, I have found that recently I have less and less money to spend. The cost of food is rising on the quiet; cost of fuel is constantly rising thanks to OPEC and the Governments greed.

The argument for using public transport is to be honest a joke, Yes if you live in a major city there is adequate transport but if you live in the country as i do it is non existent, The one bus there was has been cancelled as it was "Not Commercially Viable" So what am i supposed to do, ride a sheep to the office? If the cost continues to rise I won't be able to afford to drive. I am on a very modest wage and I'm starting to get worried about if I will be able to afford to make ends meat shortly.

Ref: #7 (reply to my comment at #6)

Peter, you are absolutely right. I was simply venting my fury about this inept bunch of idiots we have "running" this country (into the ground).

I will vote at the next election, I always do, but it sure as hell won't be for Labour.

What Darling should have done was put petrol up 4p or 5p per litre, and left diesel alone.

Hauliers have little choice, and increased haulage costs makes everything more expensive. Car drivers might whinge, but they can nearly always find alternatives, even if they are not as convenient as a car.

Does Ferdinand Green drive a motor vehicle? Is he one of those that can choose a variety of public transport to use to get about? If only i had such luxury. I HAVE to use my motor vehicle to get about otherwise i'd never get to work. The public transport system out here in the wilds of Wiltshire does not take into account the spread of villages etc......

you mean polkyb you dont get attendance allowance as well as your wages for going to work write to your MP I am sure he will help you get this from your employer

I see the solution right here on this page !!!!!!!!!!!

We've got the WRONG G. Brown in number 10.

Step up to the plate GREG I'll vote for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris

Austerity. Coming to a street near you in the immediate future?

Yes folks, we've finally reached 'peak everything'.

It's time to end our addiction to oil and here's how we can do it:

1. Stop deluding ourselves. The era of cheap, readily-available oil has ended. Prices may fluctuate, but the underlying trend is up, up, up. We have to get used to using less.

2. Demand that politicians take the issue seriously. Make it an election issue. Don't take 'we've got everything under control' as an answer.

3. Stop building new roads. They're a monumental waste of money, time and effort. They encourage, rather than ease congestion and besides, the growth in car travel that's used to justify them isn't going to happen anyway.

4. Divert that money and effort into measures that address the challenges of oil depletion and climate change.

5. Make a major investment in public transport. It needs to be better, faster, more comfortable, more regular and more predictable. It needs to cater for everyone, not just peak-hour commuters though they need a better service as well.

6. Make a major investment in broadband internet to allow more people to work from home and change tax and business practices that discourage working from home. The more car trips we can avoid, the better.

7. Electrify transport where possible. We should be electrifying commuter rail where it is not already electric and using light rail (trams) in the cities. On the other end of the scale, electric bikes and scooters can make a big difference in our cities. And electric cars show promise, though there's a lot of questions to be answered yet.

8. Don't use cars unless there's no alternative. Take the bus. Take the train. Switch to a scooter. Walk or cycle - both your wallet and your doctor will thank you.

9. Deal with other aspects of our oil dependence. Agriculture, for example, is highly dependent on oil. We're going to need to change the way we grow and distribute food. Let's get to work on that now, not wait until supermarket shelves start to empty.

10. Stockpile or manufacture vital products currently imported from overseas. When oil runs short, will that still be possible? Let's take stock now and work out what we may need to start stockpiling or making (again) in the UK.

11. Think local. Ending our oil addiction isn't just up to central government, though it can play its part. Communities can work together to make themselves more resilient. Join or start a Transition Towns group in your local area.

12. Accept reality. The age of cheap oil is over. It's not coming back. As individuals and as a nation, we have to adapt.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Stop whining and whinging about fuel costs and start preparing for a new life of austerity.

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.

Far too many people complain that they have to drive a car to work from their rural location because there is no public transport.

The solution is to work locally, although I appreciate that there are people who may be called upon to travel to a large number of different locations in the UK, but generally their expenses are paid by their employer.

People either need to change their jobs, or move to a location closer to work, or to somewhere with public transport links to their office. Driving a car 40 or 50 or further) miles to your place of regular work is something that has really only happened for the last 30 years. We have to change our attitudes, and accept that it is not a sustainable lifestyle.

We are all doomed!
Mr Ferdinand Green, stop reading the bloody Guardian and take off your sandals. Lower the heat under your lentils and sit down and think about the real world economics. Many people are being made redundant. Of those lucky enough to be still working many are on short time. I have recently gone on a 4 day week. Thats a 20% pay cut. So money is tight all round, unless of course you work for a government body, quango, council and are immune to whats going on in the real world where you have to actually be good at your job and deal with real issues to survive. So money is tight, the weekly food shopping is one of many areas where cuts need to be made. Now, we cant all source locally or go and visit Farmer Giles to get our food, we use supermarkets. Thats the big shops run by the nasty global conglomerates hell bent on world domination. I'm sure you have read all about thier evil plans in your Guardian one morning over a cup of fair trade coffee. All goods sold in these empires of evil are transported to the stores by big fat nastly men with horns called Lorry Drivers. Now while you and the rest of the tree huggers have advocated trains, I know for certain my local Tesco doesnt have a tran station at the back of it, only a machine for grinding up dead baby bones to make corn flour, possibly. So when fuel increases, to which your response seemed to be to have some sex wee wee in your hemp underpants, it increases costs to the supermarkets. Pushes up the prices of food and goods and makes it all the more difficult for struggling families to survive. Not that you care, you see the problem with the likes of you, is a blinkered view. Its your opinion that is the right one and there is no deviation from that opinion. So to summarise, the world has been heating up and cooling down for milleniums. I dont doubt that man has perhaps fractionally speeded up the process, but not enough to warrant tax after tax after tax that makes no difference. So Mr Ferdinand Green. Sod off and think off everyone else for a change. And take a shower!

If the 2p tax increase is set go be added in September why have all the forecourts added theirs now!!!

I expect another 2p will go on in September aswell - getting very near the £1 a litre mark again! :(

I have just bought a new Fiesta ST and yes its a gas guzzler - however the fuel consumption on this car is exactly the same as the 02 fiesta i traded it in for i get 275 miles from a full tank.

What i dont get is why the hell we pay so much tax on fuel and see nothing in return. it isnt used on roads, it isnt used on essential services such as the NHS (dont get me staretd on that different issue) or anything else.

it all goes into war mongering and bailing out / rewarding bankers who put is predominantly in this situation in the first place.

I would be happy to pay the tax if it went on our road infrastructure (i live in Sheffield and the roads here are 2nd in the worst roads table - first is London)

Now I do care about the environment despite the fact i have a nice sporty car - i try as much as possible to offset my co2 emissions by recycling everything we can, not using the lights or heating when we dont need it etc etc.

the government is at fault for not managing their coffers as well as they should be, they tax the motorists for using fuel and add tax becuase theres a shortfall in funds, why not add cycle tax - after all all these new road improvements or new roads all have cycle lanes.

public transport is a shambles £75 or so for a monthly travel pass for public transport - im sorry but i dont spend that in fuel. and to boot not all public transport goes where it is needed - where i work i have 1 bus every 30 minutes - if it turns up as well as the 1 hour journey time into Sheffield city centre to get it so that is an minimum journey to work time of 1.5 hours - i only live 11mile away from my office.

theres alot that needs doing in order to sort it all out but out and out taxation isnt the correct way to reduce congestion.

someone mentioned toll roads and pay per mile scheme - thats fine as long as some of it comes of my road tax and fuel tax

incentives and correct actions and procedures are required, education and conversation.

unfortunealty neither is working at the moment.

I understand money has to come from somehwere but not paying billions into war coffers for something so pointless would be a start but again a different issue.

We need as a group to not only stand up to the governement and show we wont stand for it but to work with the government to sort it out. its irrelevant of who is on power becuase underneath it all they are all the same and we are the ones who put them there so we are the ones who need to force them to change and sort it out.

40 Steve M.
Humble apologies. It's a failing I have, adding to peoples Christian names (ocd I think its called.)
I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

Save the environment. And use less oil. And pay less tax.
Something Adrian Bell (where is HE)? touched on with independent garages.
I was skeptical at first but I gave it a go and sure enough I seem to get better mpg, I can't fathom it out, I thought all petrol & diesel was the same but evidently not. Perhaps some one could explain.

Re 42
Thank you for the explanation as to why independent fuel is far superior to the supermarket cr@p, it's a case of quality over quantity and I, like an increasing number am quite prepared to pay that little extra for the good stuff.
We know it makes sense.

#44

"The government are using the global warming card as an excuse to continually raise tax/duty on fuel."

Please provide your evidence/proof of this.

hi,

re 42 Steve the poor garage owner.

Hello Steve, I trust things are going well.

I have been on the Texaco web site and watched the little movie which shows a piston and the deposits left behind from using 'lesser' supermarket fuels.

I found this on the 'Driverside / Backseat Driver' site.

""Shell Releases New Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines"" 2 March 2009
Have a painfully boring commute? Today you can look forward to a little variety courtesy of some flashy new signs at the local Shell station, signaling the national launch of the company's new Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines. If that name comes across as a bit dull, blame your friends - apparently Shell polled consumers and found that they preferred a self-explanatory title to nonsense marketing hogwash (yes, we're talking about you, Chevron with Techron).

Essentially a robust blend of antioxidants for your engine, Shell's new Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines 'seek and destroy' engine gunk left behind by lower quality fuels. The formula has been optimized for minimal thermal breakdown, or in non-geek terms, doesn't quickly degrade as temperatures increase. This is especially important in direct-injection engines, where pressures and temperatures are much higher than in traditional port-injection engines.

The point? Most gasoline detergents break down much faster in higher temperatures. So, if you're the proud owner of a fancy new direct-injection engine, it might be a good idea to slip some Shell in the tank next time you fill up. All three grades of petrol now carry the new nitrogen enriched cocktail, though marketeers have made sure that opting for premium V-Power will get you the highest concentration of engine cleansers. Apparently Shell tested the concoction with a custom built two-fuel car. That's right, two gas tanks running two separate fuels in each bank of a V-6 engine. While this is great for the sake of comparison, we'd like to get our hands on the car and see what happens if you run 87 octane in one tank and 100 octane race fuel in the other.

[Source: Shell]

Steve, through yourself and Adrian, I hope more people steer away from 'cheap' fuel and use slightly dearer stuff instead. You really do get more miles for your money.

Hi 2 all
I came acrooss an interesting article that you may want to read and evaluate:-
Sequential Vapour Injection.
DieselGas Sequent Systems.

Just think of it better mpg from a diesel engine and better for the environment.
Have a read, quite a number of positive benefits (waiting to be taxed no doubt).

#50

OK SoN, reduce taxes and encourage greater usage of fossil fuels is the way forward.

Now I understand. Thanks.

The budget report describes fuel duty as key tool in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, because it encourages people to drive less. However, the report also states that the latest fuel duty increases will cut UK emissions by about 0.5% a year. The RAC Foundation said the figures proved that the fuel duty increase, which will raise an estimated £1.2m a day from petrol sales alone, is "almost explicitly to raise more revenue

hi,

re 54.
"the position is that we use more of a declining resource"
Is this "we" as in this country or worldwide?
"Would burning more coal help?"
Answer is, we are planning to burn more coal anyway. (BUT isn't coal a declining resource?)
Guardian April 23 '09
Demanding carbon capture and storage (CCS) on all new coal plants is expected to cost around £1bn for each plant and *increase energy bills.* Government and energy companies are in talks over how these will be funded but it is expected to come from a levy on all fossil fuel electricity generation in Britain. This could put 2%, or roughly £8 per household a year, on a consumer's electricity bills by 2020. Other funding alternatives being considered are to pay the energy companies according to how much carbon they store underground.
This is expected to become a global industry in the next 50 years as countries commit to reducing carbon emissions to combat global warming.
**Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels but provides at least one-third of the world's electricity.**
What do you think is the best way forward?
Also, just how much 'waste' can be stored underground?
What are the long term effects of such direct action on soil, rocks and sea life?

Re 56:-
This will be infinitesimal compared to the amount pumped into the atmosphere by the big countries in the coming months.

Exactly my point, raising fuel duty has nothing to do with the environment and everything to do with raising revenue for failed bankers etc.

Petrol Tax tax and more tax. Come on Darling, Sweetheart, there must be other ways the rank and file can be ripped off. You could tax our swimming pools and luxury homes.

@60.
Why are you complaining?
Do you drive a petrol car and hate the thought of the dieselies getting a bit back?
You weren't shouting very loud when the difference WAS 12 pence per ltr in the petrolies favour.

60,62. Roundabouts and swings I'm afraid.

Petrol cars use more fuel than diesel, giving out around 10% more carbon dioxide (CO2).

Diesel cars use less fuel than petrol cars, so give out less CO2. Direct-injection diesel engines give the best fuel economy.

LPG gives off lower toxic emissions than Diesel and pre Euro IV petrol engines, but fuel consumption is worse.

Because diesel produces less CO2 (THE greenhouse gas) than petrol it SHOULD be cheaper but, as it produces more toxic particles the balance is equalised and therefore should cost the same as petrol. Roundabouts & swings.
As more and more people turn to diesel for economic reasons it becomes an obvious target for "greenies" to push for higher fuel duty.

#64

Far too simplistic.

You didn't notice oil at near $150/barrel last year then as an example?

I'll be investing my money thanks - waste of time leaving it on deposit at the banks.

BTW, cost price of Derv fell below unleaded today. Both taxed the same in the UK. It's just marketing keeping the differentials.

now 100.9 now 94.9

SEPT 102.9 SEPT 96.9

APR 10 103.9 APR 10 97.9

APR 11 104.9 APR 11 98.9

APR 12 105.9 APR 12 99.9

APR 13 106.9 APR 13 100.9

Petrol up another 1p today whats a matter with the people in this country they will stand for anything France has got the right idea

MESSRS BROWN & DARLING,

Currently a gallon of gasoline in the USA is about $2;00 a gallon, admitedly a US Gallon is slightly smaller than an Imperial Gallon (about 4 litres) but at the current rate of exchange, we are paying approximately $7:00 for an Imperial Gallon(about 4.5 litres).

If the US economy can show signs of recovery without "Ripping Off" the motorist, what are you two clowns playing at??????

I have decided to sign on the dole.
I will work for cash.
I will claim housing benefit for a house not bearing my name on the rent book.
I will claim incapacity benefit.
I will claim for children who do not live with me or are not even mine.
I will claim for a blue badge, and get one.
I will take DSS loans without ever intending to pay the back.
Or I might just become a politician.
If I get caught, I will say "sorry, but I will pay some of it back"
Either way the benefits far outweigh the punishments.
Tax, tax, tax. Fuel will have to rise to pay for all this.
This country has literally gone tits up.

UP 2p a litre - if only!!

On 1st April petrol was 91.9 *after* the 2p duty rise. Now its 96.9 with no significant increase in oil price and the pound actually strengthing against the dollar. So thats another 5p a litre the oil companies have stolen from my pocket!!