'How much should petrol cost?' Poll discussion

emidee

lucylucky wrote: »

Thanks

Would have been better to put "Outer Bristol" rather than make out that the entire population outside of London cannot do without a car.

Maybe so, but I expect there are quite a few people who would agree with me elsewhere in the country!

I'm sure that if forced to do so, many people could exist without a car. However whether those people could live without a car is questionable. There would undoubtedly be individuals who could no longer reach work, go shopping, see friends, or indeed go anywhere (for example, annieredhead above).

In an ideal world we would all live next door to work/school/friends, etc etc - but we don't live there, do we?!

randalf72

Well they could try changing the way fuel is taxed.

Right now you pay cost + profit + duty + VAT

Now lets say that cost and profit are 50p, with the remaining 90p consisting of duty and VAT.

When they announce the following years fuel tax rates why don't they announce a maximum figure that will be charged in tax per litre of fuel over the next tax year? Say a quid/litre for the next tax year.

Call it a petrol cap and should oil prices run away, the gov benefits for a short period then beyond a certain limit petrol in effect becomes tax free.

motherhen2234

I put a £1 per litre. I think it should be lower but I was trying to take into account the tax hole that would be left etc.

An important point about fuel is that by cutting the price of fuel would be boost the economy more broadly as it would help the price of goods come down as well as helping keep transport prices down and help our haulage companies stand a fighting chance again foreign firms who dont have the fuel costs. That means we would potential spend more etc etc.

Akom

annieredhead wrote: »

I think I have the solution...take 50p off the price of 1 litre of petrol and add 50p to a litre of spirits. Alcohol is not essential, it's a luxury. Petrol on the other hand IS essential to most people. Without my car I would be lost as I have chronic arthritis

I like the idea, although, how many people do you know that go through on average 50 ltrs of spirit a week or even a month?

Would be tough going.:D

grimsalve

Do European haulage companies have to pay roadtax to drive on our roads? Why not have a toll at Dover for any lorry coming into the UK and maybe force them to buy UK petrol while they're here. I guess that would be against EU rules though

lucylucky

emidee wrote: »

Maybe so, but I expect there are quite a few people who would agree with me elsewhere in the country!

I'm sure that if forced to do so, many people could exist without a car. However whether those people could live without a car is questionable. There would undoubtedly be individuals who could no longer reach work, go shopping, see friends, or indeed go anywhere (for example, annieredhead above).

In an ideal world we would all live next door to work/school/friends, etc etc - but we don't live there, do we?!

I don't doubt that many would agree, but your original sweeping statement was incorrect.;)

emidee

lucylucky wrote: »

I don't doubt that many would agree, but your original sweeping statement was incorrect.;)

Fair enough. I have edited the original post to make you happy!

Can we get back to the original point of this discussion now, please (a discussion about petrol costs), rather than nit-picking about where it may be necessary to purchase it?!

lucylucky

emidee wrote: »

Fair enough. I have edited the original post to make you happy! I am always happy although your original erroneous statement is still there:D

Can we get back to the original point of this discussion now, please (a discussion about petrol costs), rather than nit-picking about where it may be necessary to purchase it?!

Of course let's do.

I now find because of the cost I use my car when essential only, which owing to work is quite a lot, but I have cut down on virtually all unnecessary trips by car.

If the tax from fuel was used solely for transport issues I would have more sympathy with those that extract excessive (in my view) taxes from us.

Diesel44

I would like to see the price in gallons again at the pumps.
By using litres they are hiding the price a bit.

emidee

lucylucky wrote: »

If the tax from fuel was used solely for transport issues I would have more sympathy with those that extract excessive (in my view) taxes from us.

I agree with you there - clearly the tax obtained by taxing fuel so heavily isn't benefitting the motorist, or public transport (or at least not in Bristol, lol!).

I don't suppose you know of any source which details how the funds collected via taxing fuel is spent? I'm unaware of this myself - I'd be interested to see it though.

Edit:

emidee wrote: »

Outside of London, it can be difficult to live without a car now - and public transport is woefully inadequate.

^^ Doesn't imply an absolute now!