Petrol prices

[dave9]

oldcynic said:

Much as I hate to admit it, the green argument behind ever-increasing fuel prices and punitive road tax pricing is actually working. It's now normal to check a car's green credentials before going any further with a purchase because the government have added a tangible bill to buying a vehicle with high consumption, and I can only see the CO2 emissions criteria getting more stringent with time.

The choice of cars offering 60+ mpg would now suit most tastes, drop the criteria to 50mpg or 40mpg and you'll find a massive choice from the smallest to largest & most luxurious vehicles. 20 years ago, maybe even 10, these cars just didn't exist. Market forces have prised decent economy out of the car manufacturers, market forces which have been created by the government charging extortionate taxes on fuel. Would our Americans friends still be driving gas-guzzlers if they paid as much as we do for fuel?

spot on.

the c02 emissions criteria get worse each year and its a published fact already.

company car tax is an example - look on comcar to see the rates and how they are increasing in future

vehicle excise duty is another example - look on hmrc website to see examples.

40mpg plus is now achievable in the best of cars without going ott - merc diesels, 5 series' and so on.

74 mpg achiveable in a mini cooper diesel

[catso]

dave9 said:

what would you cut then?

would you cut state pensions?
funding the police
the nhs
schools
the defence budget
the welfare state

Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes

[dave9]

catso said:

dave9 said:

what would you cut then?

would you cut state pensions?
funding the police
the nhs
schools
the defence budget
the welfare state

Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes

you see, i wouldn't cut defence as things like the falklands could kick off again.
i wouldn't cut state pensions as i think it unfair to cut

i would personally cut the nhs as i can go private and i would cut schools as i have no kids and went to private school

so, trouble is, on all fronts we disagree - that is again why cuts are difficult as they make you politically unpopular!

[Halb]

catso said:

dave9 said:

what would you cut then?

would you cut state pensions?
funding the police
the nhs
schools
the defence budget
the welfare state

Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes

No
No
Yes/No
No
Yes
Yes