Council staff earning £2.10 per mile for car use

[Puggit]

Reading Evening Post

As a resident of Reading I'm extremely unhappy about this - so unhappy I thought I'd share it with a bunch of people I don't know on an internet forum...

[ShadownINja]

... who very likely don't live in Reading?

[Broccers]

When was the last time they reviewed business miles 40 & 25p ? And how does that compare with price of fuel?

Oh thats right one set of rules for pen pushers and another for us workers.

Edited by Broccers on Wednesday 8th July 10:50

[jesusbuiltmycar]

Broccers said:

When was the last time they reviewed business miles 40 & 25p ? And how does that compare with price of fuel?

Oh thats right one set of rules for pen pushers and another for us workers.

Edited by Broccers on Wednesday 8th July 10:50

THere was one of those "look you live in a democracy really" no10 petitions on that issue last year - it received the goverenments usual response

"we understand your concerns but you realy should stop driving"....

[oyster]

It's up to your company what they pay you for mileage, nothing to do with the government.

A few years ago I negotiated a 75p a mile rate for a new job (as well as 1st class rail and air travel).

[Nick_F]

Anything over 40p/mile is taxable, surely?

[Countdown]

Nick_F said:

Anything over 40p/mile is taxable, surely?

It is - HMRC will find out via the P11Ds submitted at year end and then adjust the claimanats tax code to recover the tax.

I think the story is a bit misleading to be honest. The mileage rate icludes the Essential User car allowance (usually between £600 and £1500). So if somebody is classed as essential user and does 1 mile then they will be on an effective rate of £1500 per mile.

How does this happen ? Partly because of the unions and partly because those who benefit the most are senior managers (desk based) with a vested interest in keeping it quiet.

[maxrider]

oyster said:

It's up to your company what they pay you for mileage, nothing to do with the government.

It's not a 'company', it's a council, it's taxpayers cash

[oyster]

maxrider said:

oyster said:

It's up to your company what they pay you for mileage, nothing to do with the government.

It's not a 'company', it's a council, it's taxpayers cash

Yes and some individuals negotiated it with their employers.

And if you don't like it then vote the council out. It's so simple.

[Puggit]

oyster said:

maxrider said:

oyster said:

It's up to your company what they pay you for mileage, nothing to do with the government.

It's not a 'company', it's a council, it's taxpayers cash

Yes and some individuals negotiated it with their employers.

And if you don't like it then vote the council out. It's so simple.

It's not set by the elected councillors. Historically it's been a Labour council, but last year changed to NOC (Labour largest party). The Lib-Dem and Tory councillors are claiming they did not know.

How many other councils are doing this...?

[s3fella]

Broccers said:

When was the last time they reviewed business miles 40 & 25p ? And how does that compare with price of fuel?

Oh thats right one set of rules for pen pushers and another for us workers.

Edited by Broccers on Wednesday 8th July 10:50

April 03! Came down from 68p for my car in 2002!

As tax is paid on the difference, most companies willl follow the guidlines so as to reduce the admin side of things.

[Countdown]

Puggit said:

How many other councils are doing this...?

More or less all public sector (e.g. LA, NHS, ) use these rates.

[baz1985]

That's awesome, you could run a 997tt on that.

[Deva Link]

Countdown said:

I think the story is a bit misleading to be honest. The mileage rate icludes the Essential User car allowance (usually between £600 and £1500). So if somebody is classed as essential user and does 1 mile then they will be on an effective rate of £1500 per mile.

Absolutely - it's more than a bit misleading. A friend of Mrs DL's works for a council and she used to have a completely free car - all she had to do was pay for private petrol - but they were bought out of them some time ago.

[hairykrishna]

Countdown said:

I think the story is a bit misleading to be honest. The mileage rate icludes the Essential User car allowance (usually between £600 and £1500). So if somebody is classed as essential user and does 1 mile then they will be on an effective rate of £1500 per mile.

Yes, they make it sound far worse than it is. Still, no excuse not to dream about it, that would make a good what car thread - 'I get £2.10 a mile mileage allowance; what car should I buy?'.

[Deva Link]

hairykrishna said:

Countdown said:

I think the story is a bit misleading to be honest. The mileage rate icludes the Essential User car allowance (usually between £600 and £1500). So if somebody is classed as essential user and does 1 mile then they will be on an effective rate of £1500 per mile.

Yes, they make it sound far worse than it is. Still, no excuse not to dream about it, that would make a good what car thread - 'I get £2.10 a mile mileage allowance; what car should I buy?'.

Don't forget you'd have to pay tax on most of that amount at your highest rate.

[Mattt]

Broccers said:

When was the last time they reviewed business miles 40 & 25p ? And how does that compare with price of fuel?

Oh thats right one set of rules for pen pushers and another for us workers.

Edited by Broccers on Wednesday 8th July 10:50

The 'real' cost of motoring has fallen since those rates were set. So unlikely to be changed.

[sleep envy]

pray telhow it's fallen?

[Deva Link]

sleep envy said:

pray telhow it's fallen?

Cars are the same price as they were many years ago (so are way cheaper in real terms) insurance is cheaper. Cars hardly need servicing these days etc etc.

I opted out of a company car 4 yrs ago and bought my own, was given full NCB and insurance was £500. This year I paid £200. Same car.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brit...

[sleep envy]

fair point but the insurance reduction colud also be partially due to the depreciated value and you not having made any claims