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PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 21:59 
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Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 23:09
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Location: Stockport, Cheshire
We often hear of "fuel poverty", but it seems that many households are suffering from transport poverty as well:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/new ... oring.html

Quote:
The RAC Foundation has used data from ONS, the Government’s statistical service, to expose the extent of "motoring poverty".

It estimates there are 800,000 families trying to run a car with a disposable weekly income of no more than £167.

According to the Foundation’s calculations £44 – equivalent to 27 per cent of the total – is being spent on motoring costs.

This includes £16 to buy fuel and £8.30 a week for insurance. Road tax accounts for £2.50 a week and maintenance £4.80, with motorists having to allow £10 for the cost of buying the car and depreciation.

The calculations will intensify pressure on the Chancellor to offer motorists more respite in his budget later this month.

“These figures should shock the Chancellor,” said Stephen Glaister, the Foundation’s director.

“We already knew transport was the single biggest area of household expenditure bar none. But this spending breakdown just for car-owning households is not normally available. It lays bare the truth about the extent of transport poverty in the UK.

“There is understandable concern about home owners having to spend more than 10% of their money on heating their houses.

“But to most of us transport is another essential item and our outgoings on getting about eclipse all other domestic bills.

“George Osborne will soon deliver his budget and is likely to tinker with the rate of fuel duty. For people already drowning under the weight of motoring costs, cutting a penny or two off the price of a litre of fuel will help but is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic – ultimately futile.

“To make any meaningful difference to those on the lowest incomes the rate will need to be cut much further.”

Maria Eagle, Labour's transport spokesman, backed Stephen Glaister's call. "Rising prices at the pump, combined with inflation busting fare rises on buses and trains, are putting massive pressure on household budgets as the cost of transport spirals.

“Instead of increasing VAT on fuel and allowing private transport operators to get away with extortionate fare rises, it’s time that Ministers acted to ease the pressure on families.”

And it's always a bit rich for Labour to pose as the friend of the motorist :roll:

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed


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