‘Don’t penalise van drivers’ treasury urged

BUSINESS bosses have urged the government not to use a consultation on taxing vans to raise costs for firms.

The treasury has asked van owners and other interested groups how Vehicle Exise Duty on vans should be applied in the future.

The point of the review is to encourage business owners to make the cleanest choices for their vehicle fleets.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of the East Midlands Chamber, said: ““At first glance, the consultation appears to do exactly what the Government intends, ie, to incentivise fleet and individu- al operators to buy the most e nvi ro nmentally- f r i e ndl y vehicles possible. That is something the Chamber welcomes.

“But we will be watching carefully to make sure that the proposals don’t penalise the operators of older vehicles who might not be in a position to upgrade their vehicles and take advantage of any incentives available under the scheme.

“We will also be monitoring Government and local authority proposals for meeting clean-air targets for towns and cities across the region, especially as Government itself will be guilty of contributing to dirty air by forcing the continued use of diesel trains throughout the East Midlands due to the nonelectrification of the Midland Main Line.”

To take part in the consultation visit www.gov.uk/government/consultations/vehicleexcise-duty-for-vans