Pensioner campaign group urge Osborne to scrap 'unfair car tax' in UK
PENSIONER campaign group Saga has called on Chancellor George Osborne to use his Budget next week to abolish the "unfair car tax" in the UK.
Saga will pressure Chancellor Osborne to end the car tax
The group has urged Mr Osborne to take a "radical approach" and instead increase fuel duty by a 10.9p per litre to compensate for scrapping the hated Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
The suggestion comes just over two years after the Chancellor ended car tax discs and replaced it with a central computer register.
Saga argues that the case for getting rid of VED is boosted by Mr Osborne's reforms which too complex with a potential 27 different rates in the first year of the new regime starting next April.
The Chancellor ended car tax discs and replaced it with a central computer register
Scrapping VED would cut administration costs and would be "fairer on older drivers" who generally drive shorter distances.
Motoring plays a vital role in keeping people over 50 mobile, independent and engaged in social activities
Saga's Director of Communications Paul Green: "Car tax is a complex and unfair way to raise money and it has a significant impact on older drivers."
He went on: "Currently, the average motorist drives about 12,000 miles a year but as people grow older they drive less and so they are contributing an unfair slice of the pie to motor taxation overall.
"Motoring plays a vital role in keeping people over 50 mobile, independent and engaged in social activities.
Saga say ending the tax is essential for elderly people
"Making this change would eliminate the unfairness created by those drivers who avoid car tax as well foreign cars and lorries that currently take a 'free ride' on the back of the taxes paid by British motorists."
Saga estimates that the proposal means younger drivers aged 21 to 29 would be on average £11.22 per year better off, drivers in their 60s would gain an average £21.20 and drivers over 70 would gain £84.70 per year.