Transport announcements in the Autumn Statement: charity reacts

Reacting to the announcement in the Autumn Statement that Vehicle Excise Duty will be charged on electric vehicles from 2025, Norman Baker of Campaign for Better Transport said:

"This is a sensible first step towards reforming motoring taxation, but the Government needs to go further. It should begin working towards a pay-as-you-drive scheme as a fairer and more transparent replacement for both VED and fuel duty."

On the announcements about rail infrastructure, Norman Baker continued:

"We welcome the Government's renewed commitment to East West Rail, core Northern Powerhouse Rail, and High Speed 2, which will be vital to connecting communities and modernising our sustainable transport network, but we are disappointed that Bradford is to miss out from getting a high-speed stop."

Mr Baker added:

"The Government could have filled much of the Budget black hole by cancelling a small number of highly damaging road building schemes - it is regrettable that it didn't take the chance to do this."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Research by Campaign for Better Transport has found that most people think vehicle taxation needs reforming, and almost three times as many people support the idea of a pay-as-you-drive scheme as oppose it. Read Pay-as-you-drive: The British public's views on vehicle taxation reform for more details.

According to Transport Action Network, cancelling the Lower Thames Crossing, A303 Stonehenge, A66 Northern Transpennine, A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening and A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet schemes would save £16 billion.