Campaign for Better Transport response to the 2023 Budget
Responding to today’s Budget, Silviya Barrett from Campaign for Better Transport, said:
“We are disappointed that the Chancellor has chosen to maintain the 5p fuel duty cut for another 12 months and continue the fuel duty freeze for a 13th year, especially as this will disproportionally benefit those who are already better off. If the Government really wanted to help those who are struggling the most with the cost-of-living crisis, and support green growth, it should be helping to reduce the cost of public transport.”
ENDS
For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk
Notes to Editors
- Campaign for Better Transport’s submission to the Budget is available on its website.
- While fuel duty has been frozen for the past 12 years, yet over the last decade rail fares have risen by 33 per cent, and bus and coach fares by 90 per cent.
- Since 2010, fuel duty cuts and freezes have benefitted the top fifth of earners twice as much as the bottom fifth: 12% of the benefits go to the poorest fifth, while 26% go to the richest.
- Low-income households are less likely to have access to a car: 38% of households in the lowest income bracket do not have access to a car/van, compared to 16% in the highest (Department for Transport statistics, Table NTS0703).
- Campaign for Better Transport is calling for reform of vehicle taxation, with fuel duty and VED being replaced by a pay-as-you-drive scheme whereby all vehicles are charged a per-mile rate based on their emissions. A pay-as-you-drive scheme could be in place from 2025. See Pay-as-you-drive: The British public’s views on vehicle taxation reform for more details.
- Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
