The state of motoring in the UK is being consistently eroded by the sky-high prices drivers face for every facet of owning their cars. Fuel prices, insurance and tax are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to paying just to stay on the road.
Driving law changes could help turn the tide back in motorists’ favour after years of being hammered by unfair costs. The Government has the next 12 months to support drivers and help them save on their bills with sweeping and necessary measures.
In an election year, political parties would be smart to go after drivers by supporting them. With around 50 million licence holders around the UK expecting help, any party which establishes itself as the “driver’s party” could gain solid footing.
Simple and quick changes could make an enormous difference for motorists, with some measures being more pressing than others.
Drivers have continually called for new rules to cut fuel prices
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Fuel prices
The UK’s millions of petrol and diesel motorists have dealt with frankly shocking fuel prices in the last few years. How any major retailer or supermarket expected drivers to pay £2 for a single litre of diesel in the summer of 2022 is unbelievable.
Even now, prices of £1.40 for petrol and £1.48 for diesel have not been seen in the UK since before Russia invaded Ukraine almost two years ago.
Drivers need assurances that prices like that won’t be seen again for the foreseeable future. The Government can make an instant impact on March 6 when Chancellor Jeremy Hunt stands at the despatch box and unveils the Spring Statement.
The Chancellor will unveil his much-anticipated Spring Statement on March 6
PA
The five pence cut on the rate of fuel duty was first launched to deal with Russian aggression forcing oil prices up around the world, but whether the cut was passed on to forecourts is another matter.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that supermarkets overcharged drivers by a sickening £900million in 2022. While greedy retailers continue to line their pockets, drivers are being battered.
Emerging political party Reform UK has vowed to cut 25p from the rate of fuel duty to help drivers at the pumps if they gain significant support. I’m sure motorists will welcome any cut to fuel prices, we’ll just have to see whether it happens.
Hopefully, our Government won’t go the way of Cuba this week. From February, drivers in the Caribbean nation will see their petrol prices go from 25 pesos (82p) to a staggering 132 pesos – or £4.33. I doubt that will go over too well.
It is getting more expensive to keep a vehicle on the road
PA
Car insurance
While the Government cannot directly affect the price of car insurance or pressure insurers to cut costs, it can make a tax cut to instantly wipe around £100 off the price for an annual policy.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has been vocal in calling on the Government to cut the rate of insurance premium tax (IPT). This hidden tax adds almost £100 to the annual cost of motor, home, pet, travel and private medical coverage.
Unsurprisingly, IPT is passed on by the insurer to the already-stretched driver, further adding to problems for Britain’s road users. The Government, whoever may be in charge, has the opportunity to slash costs in the Spring or Autumn Statements. Drivers will be keeping an eye on the Budget on March 6 to see if their lives are made easier and prices start to tumble.
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The sorry state of our roads seems to be getting worse
PA
Potholes
The scourge of our roads. The Government continues to pledge funding to get rid of potholes and yet, they continue to pop up around the country. Even though the 2023 Budget provided an extra £200million for England’s pothole fund, it’s still not enough.
Data from the Asphalt Industry Alliance found that it would cost more than £14billion to repair every pothole in England and Wales. This represents £68,000 for every mile of local road.
It shouldn’t take celebrities like Rod Stewart, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mr Pothole to take matters into their own hands and repair carriageways. If the Government wants to make roads safer, it can start by ramping up investment and getting shovels in the ground.