Andy Burnham must change 1 law – or drivers won’t | Tech News

Andy Burnham must take a look at one essential motoring rule in his first days as Prime Minister. If he doesn’t, hundreds of drivers won’t forgive him. Cars older than 40 years outdated are utterly exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) charges attributable to historic tax exemption guidelines. It’s an unimaginable benefit and a large increase for traditional car homeowners.

Vehicles registered between 1986 and 2001 are charged primarily based on engine dimension, with homeowners paying up to £375 per yr to make use of the roads. Meanwhile, automobiles as a lot as 25 years outdated registered simply after 2001 are paying £790. That’s an astronomical price for a car that has been on UK roads for a quarter of a century.

Earlier this yr, a new Parliament petition demanded the Introduction of a 50% VED low cost for automobiles aged 20–39 years outdated. Campaigners confused this is able to put an finish to a “disposable” car tradition, presumably stopping motorists from merely throwing away outdated fashions.

When some older car homeowners are paying £790, autos registered after 2017 pay simply £200 to make use of the roads. Do the maths and it is easy to see why older automobiles are being forgotten.

Campaigners additionally rightly argued that holding a practical 20-year-old car on the highway is greener than building a new one. It’s simply a disgrace that Labour would not appear to have had the memo. In February, the Treasury silenced the controversy by merely including they (*1*)had “no plans” to cut prices for automobiles on this age bracket.

They defined that income from motoring taxes helps to fund the important public providers and infrastructure. It all boils down to money.

Tell that to the 52,000 people who’ve signed the ballot already. It would solely take one other 48,000 earlier than August to set off a Parliament debate on the problem. What would Labour say then?

In a fashionable world of largely copy-and-paste battery electric fashions, older autos add a sure character to the roads that Britain needs to be embracing.

After years of Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer completely hammering the wallets of motorists within the UK, Mr Burnham will need to begin on a optimistic footing.

Giving this concept a second consideration might be the perfect begin. If he doesn’t, the 52,000 motorists passionate enough to back the plan won’t neglect his determination.