Alternative Fuels and Government Taxation

Just to let everyone know I have sent 4 emails off today asking Tony, David, Ming (not our Ming, or maybe it is ) and the Green Party, asking why the government wants to tax alternative fuels and does not give the individual a tax break when using these fuels. I'll keep this updated if and when I receive any replies.

" Hi There *****,

I have a question on alternative fuel sources for vehicles and why they are taxed so heavily. The present tax laws in the UK would appear to set a monopoly for the government and the oil companies as to who is able to supply consumers with fuel to run their vehicles. There are now viable alternatives to using diesel in vehicles, which on the information I have read would appear to be greener alternatives to standard diesel. However, there is no incentive for individuals to use these alternatives as the government still want to charge you fuel duty etc. which when added to the cost of obtaining alternative fuel make it more expensive to use.

Of course there are methods of obtaining virtually free alternative fuel, but once again the taxation of something that might cost nothing in the first place makes the use of alternatives marginal for overall cost. Also I believe that if an individual is caught using self made alternative fuel they fax paying back tax, possible fine or confiscation of the vehicle. Not much incentive there to recycle and go greener.

Now I’m not saying individuals should take up semi commercial production of alternative fuels and not all diesel vehicles can run on 100% alternative fuel, but most can run on a mix of diesel (for which the government will still get their tax etc) and alternative fuels. By reducing the amount of diesel consumed in the UK would lower net imports of oil, be better for the balance of payments of the country, encourage people to go greener and recycle more possible waste oil. It could also remove the virtual monopoly that Oil companies have over the market and the price fluctuations that affect inflation and other key parts of the economy of the nation.

After all if I put solar panels on my roof and heated my water or generated some electricity I would not expect to then pay the government the VAT they had lost because I no longer relied on the Electricity company for all my needs and if I bought a bike to use instead of a car the government would not ask me for back payment in lost fuel duties, road tax, so why is the policy on alternative fuels for vehicles. The government still would get taxation from road tax, spare parts and the commercially bought fuels so why not give zero taxation to individuals (not companies) who are trying to do their bit.

When I mention the government in the email I am using it in a generic way and not referring to the party that is in power at present. The same email will be sent to the other political party leader to see what their response is.

Regards

Steve ***** "


Steve

Well the first party to reply with an answer is the Conservative party, however the email doesn't really answer the question I posed in the first place, but was I expecting too much for a politician to give a straight reply to a straignt question.

Anyway, for those interested in what the Conservatives think about running your diesel on vegtable oil the reply is posted below.

" Dear Stephen,
Many thanks for your email to David Cameron - I'm replying on his behalf.
We do accept the case for fairer and greener taxes, but not higher taxes. Fuel duty is a clear example of where tax has not helped cut emissions, because consumers have not been given incentives and alternatives to move away from driving. Britain's carbon emissions have risen in every one of the last three years. Emissions from power generation have gone up by 15 per cent since 1997. And Gordon Brown's tax increases have tilted the fiscal framework away from green taxes.
If we are to tackle climate change, we need a holistic package of mutually reinforcing measures, not one micro-managing tax after another.
If people get the idea that higher taxes are the only way to tackle climate change, it will be even harder to make the urgent progress we need.
David Cameron wants biofuels - petrol alternatives made from plant material like wood, straw and ethanol from crops - to play an important part in moving towards achieving our goals to bring down emission levels, but only as long as they come from sustainable sources.
As you may know, David Cameron recently made a major speech calling for:
* A level playing field between renewable and other forms of
energy generation.
* Encouraging local generators to sell any spare electricity
they generate back to the National Grid.
* Improving and streamlining planning procedures for green
energy.
We welcome that the Government has responded to cross-party pressure to make it easier for homes across the country to install renewable energy like solar panels or mini-wind turbines. Where the Government offers positive, constructive and reasonable policies, they will have our support.
But we feel strongly that the Government could do far more to promote green energy, rather than giving unfair subsidies to new nuclear power stations. Conservatives want to enhance our environment by seeking a long-term cross-party consensus on sustainable development and climate change - instead of short-term thinking or surrendering to vested interests.

On nuclear power, we believe that a level playing field means amending planning procedures to allow for type and site approval for nuclear investment - just as planning procedures should be improved for renewable and decentralised energy sources. But there must be total transparency over the full lifetime costs of nuclear power, clarity over nuclear waste, and no subsidies or special favours. So where the Government see nuclear power as the first choice, under our framework it would become a last resort; where the Liberal Democrats rule out nuclear power, we rule out subsidies and special favours for nuclear power.

Perhaps you would like to contribute to our policy group? If so, please visit their website - www.energyreview.co.uk - your insight in this matter is of great value to us.
Thank you once again for taking the time and trouble to write.

Yours sincerely,

Alice Sheffield
David Cameron's Office
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA "

Steve

Just trying to get this secong hand nuclear generator I bought off ebay to fit onto my IRD unit. Its an old navy sub jobbie...anyone got any tips?
Feelin a bit woosey to be honest....

in case you don't already know, unless you can generate enought negative publicity for a political party, be it by getting a national newspaper involved or a huge rally ( and i mean in the millions) then all you will get back is their standard bollocks that run around yer question without actually answering it.
i have tried many times to get a straight answer from both the torries and blairs liars and never have i managed to get a meaningful answer.
**** i even had the lord chancer dept. tell me they weren't qualified to answer a question about law.
so unless you have the backing of millions and the help of a national newspaper save yer keys on yer keyboard and don't bother. the best way is to show a complete lack of trust in the abilities of politicians is by not voting for any of the bastards next time around.

Hope they dont raid ma chip refinery, tee he ,gonna start running the rocket on it next,ZOG is tax exempt on fuel ,but ya have ta have a Ming tax disc ,he he . . . .

ming and taxing??i didn't know the two went together!