Archived press release

Government must stand up to fuel protests

29 April 2005

The Government must stand firm against fuel protesters and refuse to cut fuel duty if it is serious about tackling climate change, warns Friends of the Earth. The environmental campaign group said that the cost of motoring had fallen under Labour, and called on the Government to tackle rising traffic levels and more to promote alternatives to travel by road.

Friends of the Earth's senior transport campaigner Tony Bosworth said:

"Cutting fuel duty would send all the wrong messages about the Government's willingness to tackle climate change. Ministers must stand firm against these protests and make it clear that fuel tax will not be cut."

"Climate change is the greatest threat facing the world today. The Government must do more to tackle climate changing emissions from transport. It should improve public transport, do more to encourage people to buy fuel-efficient vehicles, increase the use of bio-fuels and support a switch from road to rail freight."

"People living in rural communities may find themselves more car-dependant than others. The Government should address this by investigating mitigating measures such as council tax rebates."

People living in rural communities may find themselves more car-dependant than others. The Government should address this by investigating mitigating measures such as council tax rebates

Facts and figures

• The latest Government figures, published earlier this year, revealed that motoring costs fell by six per cent in real terms since Labour came to power in 1997 and 2004, and that they fell by 11 per cent between 1975 and 2004. The cost of travelling by bus and train rose over the same periods [1].
• Road transport is currently responsible for around 22 per cent of UK carbon dioxide emissions, and that level is expected to rise.
• Traffic levels have risen under Labour, despite a promise by Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, to reduce them [2]. Traffic levels are now over ten per cent higher than when Labour came to power in 1997.
• According to latest figures sales of gas-guzzling vehicles, including 4x4s, have increased, while sales of more fuel efficient vehicles have fallen.
• Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to increase VED on gas-guzzling vehicles, and cut it on more fuel efficient models [3].

Notes

1. Hansard: PQ by Norman Baker 24 February 2005. also:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1426363,00.html

2. www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/transport/news/prescott/

3. Car eco-labels welcomed - but tougher taxes for gas -guzzlers still needed

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust