Prior to his first budget, Alistair Darling decided to delay applying the 2p charge to fuel tax for another six months.

At the risk of damaging his green budget this year, Darling has taken into consideration the rapid rise in the price of oil as well as increased pressure from motoring organizations and consumers. 

Darling was keen to show the consumer his concern over rapidly rising costs. The reason for the eventual application of the tax in six months time is environmental and will be applied to the price of fuel at the time. 

Fuel tax has long been an issue amongst business owners who rely upon fuel to make a living as well as the environmentalists who see a tax on fuel as the only way to cut down on emissions. 

Vehicle congestion is seen as a key contributor to climate change and the car driver has been heavily penalised in an effort to make the larger less fuel efficient vehicles unattractive to new car buyers.  

The 4×4 has already come under attack through Ken Livingstone’s low emission charges and will be affected the most when the fuel tax is eventually introduced. 

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