Hilary Benn defends road tax hike

[Peoplesoft bloke]

The fuel price escalator was introduced by the Conservative government in 1993 and set at an annual increase of 3% ahead of inflation, later rising to 5%.

After gaining power in 1997, the rate of increase was raised by the Labour government to 6% per year. The last rise due to the escalator took place following the budget on March 9, 1999 [1].

The end to the escalator was announced on November 9, 2000, following the UK fuel protests, of which it was a contributory factor. When the escalator ended, fuel in the UK was the most expensive in Europe, with fuel tax representing over 75% of the retail price of fuel. In 1993 UK fuel had been amongst the cheapest in Europe.

So it was only a stealth tax when Labour continued it. Does that mean they cut taxes or abolished taxes when they stopped the escalator? Oh no, silly me, only Tories can ever stop or cut taxes, even if they don't.

[DimPrawn]

So it was only a stealth tax when Labour continued it. Does that mean they cut taxes or abolished taxes when they stopped the escalator? Oh no, silly me, only Tories can ever stop or cut taxes, even if they don't.

What colour is the sky in your world?

[Peoplesoft bloke]

What colour is the sky in your world?

It varies depending on the weather. Do you seriously think a tax created and sustained by one government only becomes a stealth tax if the next government continues with it?

[DimPrawn]

It varies depending on the weather. Do you seriously think a tax created and sustained by one government only becomes a stealth tax if the next government continues with it?

The Conservatives created the concept stealth taxes in the 80's and early 90's.

New Labour however, became the master of the stealth tax, adding 100's of their own and upping the ones created by the previous government.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

The Conservatives created the concept stealth taxes in the 80's and early 90's.

New Labour however, became the master of the stealth tax, adding 100's of their own and upping the ones created by the previous government.

I don't disagree for the most part my original point was aimed at Cybertory who seemed to be suggesting that only Labour do stealth taxes.

[Diver]

I think that the drinks industry should be forced to stop producing alcohol for drinking, and made to produce it for fuel.

The financial savings & Health benefits would be phenomenal.

[EternalOptimist]

I think that the drinks industry should be forced to stop producing alcohol for drinking, and made to produce it for fuel.

The financial savings & Health benefits would be phenomenal.

flipping heck Diver
Thats what I call thinking outside the box

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Seems to work in Brazil, though they appear to have a problem with people drinking the petrol.

Couldn't they put that stuff in it that makes you sick like they do in meths? (hmmm how do I know this!!!)

Thnking about it, if you can run your car on mazola, shouldn't it run on beer or maybe Thunderbird for the fancy ones? (is not much of a chemist having stopped at O level)

[PM-Junkie]

flipping heck Diver
Thats what I call thinking outside the box

It's what I call nasty. No alcohol - are you serious??

NURSE - I'VE FOUND ANOTHER ONE....

[HairyArsedBloke]

If we all drank a lot more alcohol then we wouldn’t be able to drive and therefore not need so much fuel.