tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post3546476027767260668..comments2024-01-01T16:01:35.711+00:00Comments on Dick Puddlecote: Shining Light On What Crawls Beneath Prohibition RocksDick Puddlecotehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01481866882188932892noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-78885224222652873362012-08-24T12:24:52.238+01:002012-08-24T12:24:52.238+01:00Here is a response from HM Treasury on views I mad...Here is a response from HM Treasury on views I made regarding Vehicle Exise Duty (VED), Minimum Pricing on Alcohol and Tobacco Tax. I am having to type response here as letter is in pdf format and I am unable to copy it. My points are in brackets)<br />"You mention that new vehicles carry a lower VED (my point on taxing higher those who can least afford it). The CO2 based VED structure includes 13 tax bands that differentiate between the most and least fuel efficient cars (obviously the most fuel efficient are the newest that the lower paid cannot afford). This includes a peak rates exemption for cars registered before 23 March 2006 that emit CO2 at over 225g/km. All cars are measured in the same way and this helps to highlight lower CO2 and fuel saving choices across all types and classes of car (not allowing for the fact that some of us need bigger cars for various reasons, such as both hubby and self due to back problems where getting in and out of small cars is a problem).<br />Alexander Dixon from HM Treasury went on to point out how generous the government have been with regard to delaying fuel duty increases, on top of having (apparently) cut fuel duty and cancelling the previous government's pre-announced increases.<br />You mention plans for a minimum unit price for alcohol, which were highlighted in the recent Alcohol Stratgy. Those who drink responsibly have nothing to fear from this proposal(!!!), We do not expect the majority of drinks in pubs to be affected, only heavily discounted acohol sold in supermarkets, off-licences and 'happy hour' type offers (so this will not affect those who drink responsibly? Again, it will be the lower paid who WILL suffer, however much or little they drink!). This approach aims to reduce excessive alcohol consumption and curb practices such as 'pre-loading' before a night out. The government will publish a consultation on the level of the minimum unit price later this year (like that will make a differnece to what they decide), and I would encourage you to response to the consultation with your concerns. The Alcohol Strategy can be found online at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/alcohol-drugs/alcohol/alcohol-strategy<br />You argue that tobacco taxation does not encourage people to give up smoking. The government, like previous governments, has a policy of establishing and maintaining high levels of taxes on cigarettes as this has been proven to reduce smoking prevalence (Ha, Ha!), and is acknowledged to be very effective in encouraging smokers to quit and discourage young people from taking up smoking (that's really worked well then, hasn't it?).<br />Tobacco duty is also an important contributor to the public finances, forming part of a credible plan to reduce the UK's debt, which is required to ensure low interest rates and a stable platform for growth. It would be worse for everyone if the government did not take action to tackle the deficit (so, they really cannot afford for people to quit smoking or for youngsters not to start, can they!)."<br />End of reply. Anyone else want to write to their MP or HM Treasury on any of the above points? Could keep them busy for a while, although I suspect you will all get the same PC response.<br />Atruckerlynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-72282958954934157282012-08-23T16:15:52.392+01:002012-08-23T16:15:52.392+01:00Excellent run-down, Ivan. That's a comment whi...Excellent run-down, Ivan. That's a comment which should be copied and pasted widely if you aren't doing so already. ;)Dick_Puddlecotenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-62706581688394057412012-08-23T10:17:47.681+01:002012-08-23T10:17:47.681+01:00Petra Meier - University of Sheffield - Directly f...Petra Meier - University of Sheffield - Directly funded by DoH to find evidence to support minimum pricing - outcome academically inept, blatantly biased junk<br /><br />Ivan_Denisovichnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141759542968821728.post-3432299835147114642012-08-23T00:38:58.209+01:002012-08-23T00:38:58.209+01:00A little bit more of their underhand dealings come...A little bit more of their underhand dealings comes to light (thanks DP), they couldn't lay straight in bed if they tried!<br />http://handymanphil.blogspot.co.uk/philhandyman24-7noreply@blogger.com