Another No To Road Charging Petition if you are up for it!

[TwoIfBySea]

Slightly different but just as important for those of us already struggling with too much tax and not enough income.

Am I just not understanding how, if they reduce or get rid of existing tax and replace it with another, that will make any difference.

Worse is the idiots in the Scottish Executive are planning to practice the road charging thing on us. Don't they remember the poll tax? Don't they remember there is an election in May? Don't they know the public transport system up here is a complete and utter expensive joke?

[TwoIfBySea]

Anyone? Happy to pay this one?

[GhostOfMumsnet]

I can't believe the Exec are going to do this. The election in May should be interesting.

[SenoraPostrophe]

the idea is that we reduce congestion and car use, so it will make a big difference if they introduce this stuff and reduce income tax to compensate. I don't see what's not to gte really.

tax in the UK is a lot lower than in most european countries.

[SenoraPostrophe]

god, if they lose the elections over road tax having got back in after Iraq I may have to reconsider moving back.

[TwoIfBySea]

Senora, they could reduce congestion and car use if they sorted out the deplorable public transport. Make it cheaper than using a car, make it reliable and people will use it.

Before I became a SAHM I worked alongside people who made the daily trek from Fife to Edinburgh. Several made attempts to use the trains only to find the trains were full to bursting and they couldn't get on, the trains made them late and it was all more hassle than it was worth. I had to use my car at the time because there was no buses that would get me there on time and no train nearby.

When I lived near Glasgow I used to take the train into work and that worked out fine, the prices weren't so stupid then.

People need to have a viable alternative before the government (who lets face it are the biggest polluters themselves while lecturing the rest of us) begin taxing the very air we breathe. And that is about the only thing left not taxed to the hilt.

[expatinscotland]

The level of tax here in return for the services we get is deplorable, especially compared with Western Europe.

The public tranport here is expensive and a shambles.

And what about compelling employers to stagger work times and/or offer more work from home options.

No, of course not! Got a problem, tax the little guy. That's their solution to EVERYTHING.

This government by target nonsense is getting ridiculous!

[SenoraPostrophe]

so where will the money come from to improve public transport? I know it's not quite that simple - they should also re-nationalise the trains and re-regulate the buses, but the principle of road charging is sound imo.

expat: do you know how much tax they pay in most western european countries? It's a lot more than in the UK.

[SenoraPostrophe]

also tax isn't their solution to everything - there have been all manner of "initiatives" and encourtagements. but people don't tend to respond very well until they get hurt in the back pocket. compelling employers to allow flexible working just wouldn't work: it's really impractical for a lot of companies.

[Eleusis]

Why do people compare UK taxes to those in Europe. European taxes are very high. And I'm not sure it is in our interest to follow suit.

[edam]

Twoifbysea's right, the answer is cheap, reliable and frequent public transport. I keep saying this but it has been shown to work, in South Yorkshire in the 80s.

[TwoIfBySea]

European taxes are high but you can actually see where the money is being spent. I don't know any of my European friends who would complain about the amount of tax they pay, interestingly when you go for a job (in the Netherlands certainly) you are told your wage after tax. It gives a clearer indication of what you will be left with to live off rather than saying you earn x-amount but you'll just have to guess what that means in real life. Everything is more expensive but my god the standard of life is there for those who work, here it is expensive, there is no standard unless you have money.

Also one friend lives 1 1/4 hours train journey from Amsterdam, she cycles to the station each morning and buys a monthly pass for ?120. I doubt you could get a ticket that cheap here, the trains are all double decker so she never stands.

Where will the money come from? How about not bothering with nuclear weapons and try something constructive rather than destructive.

That may sound simple but the government always find money for what they really want to do, and how much will these little car hating schemes cost to set up? I just don't buy any nonsense this government peddle, the answers are there they have had 10 years to improve things and all they have done is punish those on low wages to the point now where it is better to live on benefits where you get things paid for you than try and earn your own money.