Budget 2023: Drivers want motoring tax cut

More than half of motorists (58%), surveyed by Startline Motor Finance, want to see a cut in fuel duty on petrol and diesel, while 48% are calling for a cut in road tax ahead of next week’s Budget. 

Providing support for buying cars would also be a popular move, with 30% saying the Chancellor should introduce incentives to trade in your existing model for a new one.

Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “Motorists want to see support from the Government when it comes to the costs of using and buying cars.

“The cost-of-living crisis continues to have a massive impact on many people, and a substantial number of them need a car to work and live their lives.

“Whether this help materialises is, of course, another matter. The Chancellor has done little to indicate that the Budget will do anything other than bring more pain when it comes to household finances, with his priority being to get government spending back on an even keel.”

However, with current assistance over household fuel costs being removed for most people next month, Burgess says that many motorists would appreciate some form of support when it comes to running their car.

Startline’s research also showed that drivers would like to see more Government backing for electric vehicles (EVs), with 30% saying there should be incentives to buy EVs while 29% want lower cost public charging.

“This very much fits in with what we are hearing anecdotally across the market,” continued Burgess. “Many people are interested in buying an EV and doing their bit for the environment but, even though used prices for these cars have fallen in recent months, they remain too high for most people.

“There is clearly also concern over the cost of charging in a time of high fuel prices.”

The survey also suggests that there would also be support for moves in the Budget to reduce the price of public transport with 20% wanting to see lower cost buses and trains.