We’ve today launched a major new campaign with the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) to highlight the burden that excessive fuel taxes are placing on motorists and retailers alike. Our latest campaign against high taxes is targeted where they hurt the most, at the pumps. Working with the PRA, over 5,000 Fuel Tax Stands have gone to independent forecourts across the UK so that customers can see exactly how much of their cash is going straight to the Treasury.
The stands show that 60 per cent of what customers pay at the pumps goes straight to the tax man. When drivers pay £30 at the till, around £18 of that is paid straight to the Exchequer, with only the remaining £12 covering the cost of the fuel – including just £1 to the retailer.
At the same time the TPA has created a website allowing users to write directly to their local MPs about the excessive level of fuel tax. The site freezefueltax.com will add to great work done by Fair Fuel UK and other campaigners who have worked tirelessly for a fair deal at the pumps. The campaign has been backed the The Sun newspaper which has long called for the Government to ease the burden on motorists.
Click here to visit freezefueltax.com and call on your MP to oppose increases in Fuel Duty
- The 60 per cent tax rate is made up of Fuel Duty, VAT on the fuel and VAT on the Fuel Duty
- The UK has the highest tax component of unleaded petrol and diesel prices in the entire European Union
- In June 2012 the Chancellor postponed the planned August 2012 3p rise in Fuel Duty, but it is now due to come into effect in January 2013
- This raises the possibility of back-to-back duty increases of over 3p per litre – Fuel Duty and VAT combined – in January 2013, which could then be followed by a nearly 2p per litre rise in April 2013. That would mean a 5p per litre combined tax hike on fuel in the first three months of 2013 not including VAT unless the Government changes course
- Previous TPA research has shown how drivers are charged £18.1 billion in excessive motoring taxes, and those living in small towns, the suburbs and rural areas are hit hardest
With greater transparency at the tills, pressure will mount on the Chancellor to cut Fuel Duty by 5p per litre over five years or at the very least to freeze Fuel Duty for the rest of this Parliament.
Matthew Sinclair, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said:
“Fuel Duty is an excessive and unfair burden on struggling families, whether they need to get to work, take their kids to school or do the weekly shop. Businesses also struggle with rising costs moving their goods. Too often staff in the forecourts get the flak for high fuel prices which are really the result of exorbitant taxes set by politicians. That is why we produced the new fuel tax stands to show customers how much tax they actually pay when they fill up. By displaying it on their counter, retailers will be able to set people straight when they vent their frustration over high petrol and diesel prices. Fuel Duty should at least be frozen for the rest of this Parliament, and motorists really deserve a cut in excessive taxes.”
PRA Chairman Brian Madderson said:
“We believe that the fuel tax stand is the perfect way to help explain to our customers that far from profiteering from high fuel prices, fuel retailers are also suffering as the Government takes 60% of the cost of every litre. This amounts to a total “tax take” ofmore than £30 billion from forecourts every year.”
