Economics -
Fuel
The main reason the
Government is using for high fuel duty, is to
force drivers (by dipping into their pockets) to
be more efficient. But:
The 422,000
commercial vehicles operating today carry more
freight then the 500,000 vehicles of 20 years
ago.
Todays trucks
produce 20 times less pollutants then those of 30
years ago.
70%+ of the cost
of fuel purchased in the UK is excise duty (TAX).
The highest rate
of diesel excise duty (TAX) in the EU, is in the
UK.
Diesel purchased
today in the UK is over 50p per litre higher than
1995.
On average, fuel
accounts for at least 36% of a UK hauliers costs.
Each time diesel
costs increase by 2p per litre a UK operator
running 20 trucks, using 25,000 litres of diesel
per week, has to find an extra £26,000 per
annum.
The UK haulage
industry carries 80% of all domestic freight. In
1998 this amounted to 1,629 million tonnes.
The road
transport industry employs 500,000 drivers, and a
similar number of warehouse, workshop and office
staff.
In 1997/98, 32
billion was raised in taxes on transport, yet
only £5.58 billion was invested in the road
system.
In 1999 this was
39 billion - not much of that was re-invested
either.
Price of crude
oil has plunged by 30% since last summer, yet
prices at the pumps have remained high. Without
tax, the UK has the cheapest petrol in Europe at
19p a litre. Add the tax and it's among the most
expensive in the world.
...and cars are
still up to 60% dearer in the UK than mainland
Europe (including those made in the UK);
£16 million was
raised in speeding fines in 2000 - so where's
that gone?
August
2001: BP announced first half year profits of
£1.3 million AN HOUR.
Cost of a barrel
of crude at start of September 2001 was $31, that
fell to less than $17 a barrel in November 2001 -
where was this reflected at the petrol pumps??
UK has the worst
transport system in Europe with most roads under
serious stress and 25% with traffic
jams. Why? Because there is no viable
aternative due to a serious lack of investment
for decades. £36 billion in fuel and road
tax and the Government re-invested only £6
billion in the transport systems, so far in 2001
its less. Then again the Rail System has
been re-nationalised for nothing.
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