Fuel Duty and road quality top drivers’ concerns heading into the Autumn Budget
As the chancellor prepares to deliver the Autumn Budget tomorrow (Wednesday 28th) new research from Close Brothers Motor Finance reveals which concerns are front of mind for motorists.
It finds that more than half (52%) of drivers want the chancellor to freeze or reduce fuel duty on petrol and diesel. The ongoing deterioration of the nation’s road infrastructure is also a top concern, with over a third (34%) urging the chancellor to allocate more funding to local councils to tackle potholes and road repairs.
Beyond fuel and road maintenance, motorists are feeling the squeeze of keeping a vehicle on the road. Nearly three in ten (29%) want a freeze or reduction on other vehicle-related taxes and charges, while 28% are calling for a cut to Insurance Premium Tax (IPT).
The ongoing transition to electric vehicles is also an area where motorists are eager for support from the man in Number 11. Nearly a fifth (17%) of drivers want VAT on public EV charging reduced to align with the rate for domestic charging, whilst the same percentage (17%) would like to see the 2034 zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate delayed or scrapped.
These calls for action come against a backdrop of broader scepticism over the new government’s approach to drivers. Nearly a third of motorists (31%) believe the current government will be less supportive of drivers than its predecessor, compared to under a quarter (23%) who expect more support, while 39% predict policy will remain about the same.
John Cassidy, managing director at Close Brothers Motor Finance, commented: “Motorists across the UK are looking for decisive action and much-needed relief. Vehicle running costs continue to squeeze drivers at a time when household budgets are already tight, driven by a wider cost of living crisis.
“Combined with persistent frustration over damaged roads and concerns about the important transition to EVs, many drivers are not feeling confident that the new government will deliver for them. For millions of Brits, a car is a cornerstone of everyday life and it is crucial that this budget helps make motoring more accessible and affordable, whilst also providing councils with the resources needed to restore Britain’s roads.”