UK petrol prices could rise 15p a litre in 2010
The Petrol Retailers Association has set the cat amongst the pigeons with a suggestion that UK petrol could rise by up to 15p a litre purely and simply because of tax changes and a continuing upward trend in the price of oil. Aside from the fact that the VAT has now returned back to 17.5% there is further speculation we could see an increase to 20% after the election. The government is also set to introduce a fuel duty of at least 1p a litre which will be counted by the withdrawal of tax breaks for the biofuel industry.
The need to increase government income in the short to medium term has again led to the authorities attacking motorists in the UK. The cost of motoring in this country has increased significantly over the last decade even when you strip out the volatile oil price which has obviously had an impact upon the price of petrol. Motorists today are sick and tired of being used as the government's "cash cow" and there is a growing revolt amongst car owners across the country.
If we do see an increase in tax on petrol there is every chance we will see a return to strikes and pickets across the country with motoring associations set to fight back. However, in reality the need to increase government income in the short to medium term supersedes any potential negative comment or feedback from motorists.
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