We do not republish articles from Daily Express. Our findings are below, each quoting the words it is about. Read the full article on the outlet's own site.
The Daily Express headline presents £375 as a new car tax rule brought in by Andy Burnham. Its own body says the figure is one firm's prediction for a single emissions band, and that the change is the routine annual RPI uprating the Treasury makes every April. The piece then calls the expected £15 rise a potential shock, after describing such increases as a formality.
Headline goes beyond the article
Serious
“Andy Burnham’s new £375 car tax rule change”
Why this matters
The words "new £375 car tax rule change" present £375 as a confirmed figure and the rise as a new rule belonging to Andy Burnham.
The impression it gives
A reader believes Burnham has brought in a new car tax rule that sets the charge at £375 for drivers in general.
The context
The body says £375 is a prediction by Pete Barden. It applies only to Band I cars registered between 2001 and 2017 emitting 176 to 185g/km. The Treasury's own statement describes a routine RPI uprating, which the article calls an annual formality, not a new rule.
How we know
Elsewhere in the article“Pete Barden has predicted these fees will rise to £375”
Elsewhere in the article“Motorists falling into Band I for cars emitting between 176 and 185g/km of CO2”
Elsewhere in the article“annual increases every April now simply a formality”
Elsewhere in the article“The government will uprate VED rates for cars, vans and motorcycles in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) from 1 April 2027.”
“Andy Burnham is set to introduce new car tax Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) changes”
Why this matters
The opening line repeats that Burnham will "introduce new" VED changes. The body describes no new change to the system.
The impression it gives
A reader believes a fresh policy decision by the Prime Minister is changing how car tax works.
The context
The Treasury statement quoted in the article only uprates existing rates in line with RPI. The article itself says this happens every April.
How we know
Elsewhere in the article“uprate VED rates for cars, vans and motorcycles in line with the Retail Prices Index”
Elsewhere in the article“VED is usually tied to Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation”
Written straight
Car tax rates will rise in line with RPI inflation from April 2027, the Treasury has confirmed. One firm predicts the Band I charge will go up by £15 to £375.
Uses a loaded word
Minor
“the new rates could be a shock for motorists”
Why this matters
The word "shock" casts the coming rise as sudden and alarming.
The impression it gives
A reader expects an unexpected and steep jump in car tax.
The context
The article's own figures show a £15 rise, the same as last year's. It says annual April increases are now a formality.
How we know
Elsewhere in the article“annual increases every April now simply a formality”
Elsewhere in the article“a £15 increase on the current £360 charge”