Drivers filling up on forecourts across the UK helped swell
Government coffers by more than £22 billion last year. This phenomenal
figure represents a £4 billion annual increase since Labour came to power
in 1997. The numbers are published today in the new Motor Industry FACTS – 2002.
While fuel duty remains the golden goose for Gordon Brown,
hard-pressed motorists also face a host of other taxes too. Vehicle Excise Duty
generated £4.3 billion for the Treasury last year, while beleaguered company
car drivers forked out a further £3.7 billion.
Thanks to motorists, 2001 was another bumper year for Gordon
Brown, with a total of more than £40 billion taken from driver’s pockets
and commercial vehicle operators in 2001. DVLA has raised a further £595
million with the sale of personalised registration numbers.
SMMT Chief Executive Christopher Macgowan greeted the news
by saying, ‘Industry taxes amount to 11 per cent of the Government’s total revenue
from taxation. While the recent budget brought some positive news for industry
and motorists, we would be keen to see more incentives to encourage the purchase
of cleaner vehicles, rather than more punitive taxes.’
Information can be found on pages 14 and
15 of Motor Industry FACTS – 2002
