Rachel Reeves car tax increases have reignited fears that Labour is no longer the “workingman’s party” as many drivers now face higher taxes than under Conservatives.
The fury comes less than 100-days until motorists face substantial rises in Vehicle Excise Duty, with some car owners seeing their first-year tax bills double.
The changes coming in April 1 will particularly impact drivers of common family vehicles, with owners of popular models like the Volkswagen Golf facing an additional £220 in their first year of ownership.
Even hybrid vehicles, previously championed as a more economical choice, will see their tax bills rise from zero to £110 in the first year.
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Drivers of petrol, diesel and electric cars will be impacted by Reeves’s changes in April
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The move has sparked criticism from motorists who claim Labour has abandoned its roots as the party of working people.
The new VED rates will see significant increases across all vehicle categories, according to HMRC documents.
Cars emitting between 1-50g/km of CO2, which includes most plug-in hybrids, will face a first-year tax bill of £110, up from zero.
Vehicles in the 51-75g/km bracket will see their rates jump from £30 to £135. The standard rate for all vehicles beyond the first year will rise to £190, with a £10 discount for hybrids.
Premium vehicles costing over £40,000 when new will continue to attract an additional £410 annual “luxury car tax” charge for five years.
Electric vehicles, which have historically been exempt from VED, will be brought into the tax system for the first time in April.
But the Treasury stated these changes are designed to ensure VED receipts are maintained in real terms and creates a level playing field between petrol, diesel and electric car owners.
However public reaction to the tax changes has been overwhelmingly negative on social media, with many criticising Labour’s choices.
“The days of saying that Labour is the working man’s party are long gone,” wrote one person. “The minute they get to power they have done nothing but hammer the working man and the pensioners with tax after tax.”
Another social media user questioned the economic logic behind the changes: “Not sure this is the way to improve the UK economy, or make the country more productive, let alone get more people to work.”
Some motorists have called for direct action, with one suggesting: “Everyone should just cancel their direct debits. Bad enough if the roads were fit for purpose, but the pothole situation is an absolute disgrace.”
“There’s going to be chaos,” predicted another commenter. The latest vehicle tax increases under Reeves will affect millions of ordinary motorists, from hybrid owners to drivers of common family cars.
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Another person stated: “This increase will put added pressure on the public who rely on their family transport to go and return home from their place of employment. The cost of living in the UK is spiralling to levels unreachable to those on low income.”