Quite a debate raging at the moment so here's the poll to settle the matter once and for all

I voted for the second option but I think it is a combination of the first two, particularly as the government receives millions as unexpected VAT when oil prices are high.

With the current anti-car feeling rife in all parties though there is slim chance of the tax being reduced to ease the burden on transport and haulage companies.

You can (I think) vote for more than one option ?

I never even tried that

Number 2, no question

Sal

Voted for the top two options...

Yes, global oil prices are playing a part, but can the sheer amount of tax (and don't forget we then pay VAT on that tax!!!!) the government charge on the fuel be fair??

By my reckoning, even with that new record price we had last week the government is actually taking ~0.3p less tax per litre in real terms than it did in Oct 03 when the duty was set at 47.1p.

UK Petrol Prices

The Oil Drum has prepared an excellent press release targeting the current debate in the US surrounding high gasoline prices.

A PDF version here: http://www.theoildrum.com/politics_of_oil.pdf

Web version with discussion is here: http://www.theoildrum.com/story/2006/4/26/121441/891

This should be required reading for anyone debating the high petrol prices.

It's definitely a combination of the first two.

But, to be clear, the volatility in prices and the day-to-day increases are obviously nothing to do with the government.

What IS the government's choice is the level of tax they set each budget and that level is too high.

I haven't voted but can I just say that people won't stop using cars for long journeys until something is done about the price of a rail ticket. I never travel by rail except for journeys to Central London - the firm picks up the bill for those which is currently £104 return for just over 100 miles each way... It doesn't even make sence when it's just you going, but when there's two or three in the car it's total nonsence paying out several hundred pounds...

And people won't be using buses for short journeys until something is done about the timetabling. I live two miles from the dead centre of a city - but there's only one bus after 5.40pm and that's at around 8pm. Even when I was working in the centre itself I couldn't use the bus because I couldn't guarantee getting to the bus stop in 10 minutes. I'm now 5 miles from work and using public transport would be a virtual non-starter. Thus almost everyone in my village has a car or two or three...

In those contexts the price of fuel is largely irrelevant. To drive to work and back each day costs me around £220 p.a. in fuel - to put that in context how's about the fact that the water bill alone for my house is £548

I haven't voted but can I just say that people won't stop using cars for long journeys until something is done about the price of a rail ticket. I never travel by rail except for journeys to Central London - the firm picks up the bill for those which is currently

I think we shouldnt have car tax, and that tax on fuel should be higher to take that into account - why should I (who does abouts 5000 miles a year) have to pay the same amount op car tax as someone that does 40k a year? I also think that would make people think about using their car more...

I haven't voted but can I just say that people won't stop using cars for long [/u']journeys until something is done about the price of a rail ticket. I never travel by rail except for journeys to Central London - the firm picks up the bill for those which is currently

I agree with putting 'Road Tax' onto fuel.

Eventhought I do 25K+ miles a year, the other half only does 5K so it would ballance out.

Also, those big heavy trucks would end up paying for some of the damge they do to the roads, as they do more mile at lower mpg, hence more fuel more road tax.

One fringe benifit would be that the scum who currently drive around without tax/insurance etc etc, would atlease be paying road tax!

I to drive most places and avoid using the train where possible, not been on one in years. Not counting Docklands Light Railway & Tube. But better transpoort systems is what is needed to encourage people to leave the car at home.

When travelling to London I now fly from Liverpool to London city last week I got a return ticket for

The Government/Oil Companies know that Fuel is a necessity for most people and no matter what the price is people have to have it like food & water. So they have us by the short & curlies

What happens to a) the government and you and me, when oil supply fails to meet oil demand globally?

Fuel prices seem to have fallen in my area over the past week or so. Paid 98.9 per l for some High Octane 97Ron fuel this week - the same as Derv. Week before both were 99.9. Seems every 3 months or so prices rocket for a few weeks then settle back down to around the 92-94.9 level.

Appreciate that this can vary from region to region

What happens to a) the government and you and me, when oil supply fails to meet oil demand globally?

The $64k question.

War, I think is the answer.

The big powers will try to grab all they can and be damned anyone who gets in the way. :thumbdwn: