Five good things in the Budget
Hello Supporter
The Chancellor's Budget last week contained many measures that we have been calling for.
The cost of different forms of transport has a critical influence on whether and how people travel. People on low incomes can't use public transport if it's too expensive. People with access to a car will use it more if it's cheap relative to other choices.
That is why changing transport costs to support sustainable choices has always been a campaigning priority for Campaign for Better Transport. And that's why the Budget is a key moment in the calendar.
For more than a decade now, fuel duty for drivers has been frozen, while regulated rail fares have risen year-on-year. And in 2022, fuel duty was cut by 5p a litre, while rail fares rose by almost four per cent.
This has harmed the environment, harmed passengers, and failed to help those households struggling the most.
So, when the Chancellor announced her Budget this week, we were very glad that she heeded our calls to begin rebalancing transport costs towards more sustainable modes.
Five good things in the Budget
1. Rail fares frozen
Rail fares will be frozen next year, as we have long called for. As well as helping existing passengers, this will enable more people to choose rail.
2. Fuel duty to rise
We welcome the gradual ending of the 5p fuel duty cut, which will help rebalance transport costs. The money raised can be used to benefit households and the country.
3. A small per-mile charge for electric vehicles
We think this is fair and necessary, to help make up for the fall in fuel duty revenue as more people switch to electric vehicles. With a 3p per mile charge, EVs will still be more than £1,000 a year cheaper to run than petrol cars.
4. Private jets taxed more
More private jets will be subject to a higher rate of Air Passenger Duty. Private jets are massively polluting, so this is good news.
5. Funding for rail projects
Rail is great for the economy, communities and the environment, so we were pleased that the Budget included a commitment to fund some exciting rail projects.
And one fly in the ointment
The fly in the ointment was support for the Lower Thames Crossing and expanding Heathrow Airport. More major roads and bigger airports are a bad way to spend money when we should be encouraging sustainable travel. With your help, we'll keep campaigning!
I've written a blog, with more info about what the Budget means for transport.
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Yours
