Fuel duty

[bedajim]

From another forum is this right?

When VAT was temporarily reduced to 15%, the Chancellor added 2% duty to petrol & diesel to offset the reduction in tax collected from motorists. Now that VAT has been increased to 17.5% again, this hidden tax has not been removed - hence recent rises in your fuel costs. Fuel VAT is now 19.5%

[Nasher]

Jim

I've seen this discussed, and don't think there is a statement anywhere that says the raise was for the reason you give, but most think it is.
Perhaps sombody can find one.

Some believe it was to cover the cost of the scrappage scheme.

Nasher.

[JSP]

If I remember right the the 2% was to be added a few years ago. But with the high price of oil at the time as well as strikes and strong public opinion they said they would hold it off for a time (think it was 12 months). When that time came the recession had hit and they had already reduced the VAT down to 15%.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by JSP

If I remember right the the 2% was to be added a few years ago. But with the high price of oil at the time as well as strikes and strong public opinion they said they would hold it off for a time (think it was 12 months). When that time came the recession had hit and they had already reduced the VAT down to 15%.

John I think you are right - this was a long scheduled 2p (not 2% although it amounts to much the same thing!) rise. VAT on fuel is back at 17.5% - it is definitely not 19.5%.

Its all pretty much irrelevant anyway as if they nock that 2p off there - they'll just have to add it on somewhere else... its not like they are stock piling cash somewhere!