Ian Rex-Hawkes
@youdeservebetter.uk
Financial expert, former martial arts teacher, disabled, photographer, web designer, occasional chess player.
So far what they have said is that it will probably be linked to the odometer reading at MOTs, so after getting the annual MOT the owner would need to make a declaration and pay the appropriate per-mile charge.
November 28, 2025 at 10:39 PM
So far what they have said is that it will probably be linked to the odometer reading at MOTs, so after getting the annual MOT the owner would need to make a declaration and pay the appropriate per-mile charge.
Expressed in those terms, it really does look like a tax cut from 51% to 39%, i.e. a subsidy. Basically it all depends how you express the figures!
November 28, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Expressed in those terms, it really does look like a tax cut from 51% to 39%, i.e. a subsidy. Basically it all depends how you express the figures!
I definitely see that, but another way to look at it is the percentage tax per litre of petrol. In 2008 average fuel price was apparently 103.9p, with 52.95p of that being duty (51% tax). Presently average petrol cost is 135.07p per litre with fuel duty unchanged, so 39% tax.
November 28, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I definitely see that, but another way to look at it is the percentage tax per litre of petrol. In 2008 average fuel price was apparently 103.9p, with 52.95p of that being duty (51% tax). Presently average petrol cost is 135.07p per litre with fuel duty unchanged, so 39% tax.
It has all the feel of a subsidy through reverse fiscal drag. Normally fiscal drag refers to increased tax burden without changing rates by freezing allowances and letting them devalue with inflation, this might be the only example I can think of fiscal drag being used as a subsidy.
November 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
It has all the feel of a subsidy through reverse fiscal drag. Normally fiscal drag refers to increased tax burden without changing rates by freezing allowances and letting them devalue with inflation, this might be the only example I can think of fiscal drag being used as a subsidy.
Fuel has still gotten more expensive at least partly due to supply of crude oil being more expensive, but it has been less pronounced because the government has kept fuel duty at the same level for the best part of 2 decades. It's set per litre, so isn't affected by supply cost changes.
November 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Fuel has still gotten more expensive at least partly due to supply of crude oil being more expensive, but it has been less pronounced because the government has kept fuel duty at the same level for the best part of 2 decades. It's set per litre, so isn't affected by supply cost changes.
(also have an EV, so ditto)
There's an argument that this is in fact true. The fuel duty has been frozen for 16 years now, meaning the government have repeatedly rejected the increases that would have added to the tax take.
There's an argument that this is in fact true. The fuel duty has been frozen for 16 years now, meaning the government have repeatedly rejected the increases that would have added to the tax take.
November 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
(also have an EV, so ditto)
There's an argument that this is in fact true. The fuel duty has been frozen for 16 years now, meaning the government have repeatedly rejected the increases that would have added to the tax take.
There's an argument that this is in fact true. The fuel duty has been frozen for 16 years now, meaning the government have repeatedly rejected the increases that would have added to the tax take.
Like I said, not life or death, likely to be around £100-200 a year based on the fairly short commute to work, but definitely glad that I'm earning again rather than trying to keep the car going without a reliable salary.
November 27, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Like I said, not life or death, likely to be around £100-200 a year based on the fairly short commute to work, but definitely glad that I'm earning again rather than trying to keep the car going without a reliable salary.
It's more of an annoyance than anything - when I bought the EV it was free of road tax because it was good for the environment and I could charge it cheaply at home. Now I have road tax to pay, plus this per mile tax due to come in.
Just feels like the goalposts are constantly being moved.
Just feels like the goalposts are constantly being moved.
November 27, 2025 at 9:12 PM
It's more of an annoyance than anything - when I bought the EV it was free of road tax because it was good for the environment and I could charge it cheaply at home. Now I have road tax to pay, plus this per mile tax due to come in.
Just feels like the goalposts are constantly being moved.
Just feels like the goalposts are constantly being moved.
Mostly increase your taxes a little, assuming you are earning enough to be at least a basic rate taxpayer. The one comfort might be that higher earners and landlords ended up paying more, but overall it was a bit of a damp squib after all the wild predictions.
November 26, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Mostly increase your taxes a little, assuming you are earning enough to be at least a basic rate taxpayer. The one comfort might be that higher earners and landlords ended up paying more, but overall it was a bit of a damp squib after all the wild predictions.
The irony being that the notion in question is a complete myth. Labour are no worse at handling the economy than Tories. Just look at the last Tory government - in charge for 14 years and the national debt surged to over 100% of GDP. Despite austerity being pushed as necessary to balance the budget
November 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
The irony being that the notion in question is a complete myth. Labour are no worse at handling the economy than Tories. Just look at the last Tory government - in charge for 14 years and the national debt surged to over 100% of GDP. Despite austerity being pushed as necessary to balance the budget
As a fact check, worth remembering that Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, long before Biden was President.
I know facts are hard for Trump...
I know facts are hard for Trump...
November 23, 2025 at 3:28 PM
As a fact check, worth remembering that Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, long before Biden was President.
I know facts are hard for Trump...
I know facts are hard for Trump...
This alone should be enough reason for people to never trust the Tories in a position of power again until they admit their egregious mistakes, revoke the memberships of those responsible, and make changes to their party so this sort of thing cannot happen again.
So... never.
So... never.
November 21, 2025 at 9:36 AM
This alone should be enough reason for people to never trust the Tories in a position of power again until they admit their egregious mistakes, revoke the memberships of those responsible, and make changes to their party so this sort of thing cannot happen again.
So... never.
So... never.
Yep, odd how they've gone very quiet on that subject, almost like they only wanted it when it was going to give them a lot more power and influence...
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Yep, odd how they've gone very quiet on that subject, almost like they only wanted it when it was going to give them a lot more power and influence...
He's angry now because more and more people are realising that he did in fact rile up that crowd and caused the riot.
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 AM
He's angry now because more and more people are realising that he did in fact rile up that crowd and caused the riot.
Sickening number, every single one of them should consider what it means to be a public servant and should immediately resign when they realise just how far they have strayed from what should be the core of a politician's professional life.
October 30, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Sickening number, every single one of them should consider what it means to be a public servant and should immediately resign when they realise just how far they have strayed from what should be the core of a politician's professional life.
Wouldn't surprise me if he got around 90 and thought it was out of 100. Based on his obvious cognitive decline in recent years, I'd be genuinely surprised if he did that well now.
But go ahead, Trump, take an IQ test and post the results. The world is curious.
But go ahead, Trump, take an IQ test and post the results. The world is curious.
October 28, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Wouldn't surprise me if he got around 90 and thought it was out of 100. Based on his obvious cognitive decline in recent years, I'd be genuinely surprised if he did that well now.
But go ahead, Trump, take an IQ test and post the results. The world is curious.
But go ahead, Trump, take an IQ test and post the results. The world is curious.
Reform were all about PR before the polls started showing that under FPTP they were projected to command a majority with a minority of votes. Since then they have been remarkably quiet on the subject.
October 28, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Reform were all about PR before the polls started showing that under FPTP they were projected to command a majority with a minority of votes. Since then they have been remarkably quiet on the subject.
Just remember, if you do decide to burn the place down, you'll need to do so Caerphilly.
October 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Just remember, if you do decide to burn the place down, you'll need to do so Caerphilly.
There comes a point where people get fed up with tactical voting and stay looking for how they can change the system to eliminate the need. Labour ignoring their own members over this was definitely a good indication to progressives to look elsewhere.
October 24, 2025 at 11:15 AM
There comes a point where people get fed up with tactical voting and stay looking for how they can change the system to eliminate the need. Labour ignoring their own members over this was definitely a good indication to progressives to look elsewhere.
That's great news - I know I've seen a few discussions prematurely ended because of that custom, hence my initial skepticism.
October 23, 2025 at 8:45 AM
That's great news - I know I've seen a few discussions prematurely ended because of that custom, hence my initial skepticism.
A good motion, but I expect it will fall foul of the parliamentary custom of not discussing the affairs of the crown.
October 22, 2025 at 1:09 PM
A good motion, but I expect it will fall foul of the parliamentary custom of not discussing the affairs of the crown.