Tax on 4x4s could undermine Streeting’s emergency plan, Tories warn

Labour’s plan to make Britain better prepared for national emergencies could be jeopardised by a proposed tax on 4x4s, the Government has been warned. Wes Streeting, the Defence Secretary , has published a plan to improve the country’s “resilience”, highlighting the usefulness of large cars such as Land Rovers in crisis situations. But there are fears that John Healey, the Chancellor, could be preparing to levy an additional tax on these heavier and wider vehicles in the Budget on Wednesday. Mark Browne, chairman of 4x4 Response UK – a volunteer network of drivers that supports emergency services – said that a levy could impact the charity’s ability to respond. “If they are not careful, they will end up with responders going back to normal cars and being unable to volunteer,” he told The Telegraph. “The message is coming out hard and fast from the Government that we need to be prepared, but there need to be people who can step up and support.” James Murray, the paymaster general, said in response to a parliamentary written question, that the Government was considering a change to road tax that would “take greater account of the dimensions or weight of cars such as Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs)”. It follows a campaign by Transport & Environment, an international environmental pressure group which is lobbying for a “Large Vehicle Levy”, arguing that heavier cars cause more wear and tear on roads. Under its proposals, drivers buying new petrol or diesel cars weighing more than 1,600kg would pay an additional £10 for every kilogram above the threshold. It would mean anyone buying a 2,000kg car that runs on fossil fuel paying an extra £4,000 of Vehicle Excise Duty in their first year of ownership. Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary who asked the parliamentary question of Mr Murray, accused the Government of planning a raid on motorists to fund welfare increases in Wednesday’s Budget. He told The Telegraph: “Labour’s war on the motorist never ends. Raiding the roads budget to fund more welfare hits at the drivers of economic growth and makes no sense.” Greg Smith, Conservative MP for Mid-Buckinghamshire, said: “People should be free to choose the car that suits their family without Labour dreaming up yet another tax to punish them.” As part of its “ be ready ” plan, the Government has encouraged members of the public to come forward if they have a 4x4, asking for “logistical support to areas during severe weather or other disasters”. The website suggests: “If you can’t commit to joining a group or regular volunteering, you could still make your local community group aware of any skills or resources that you have that could help. “For example, if you’re first-aid trained, own a 4×4, have digital or project management skills, or if you’d be happy to support with low-risk activities during an emergency.” Mr Browne’s charity is called on to assist in emergency scenarios such as wildfires, landslides and flooding. He demanded assurances that any levy on larger cars would not be applied retrospectively to existing vehicles. “If that doesn’t happen clearly there is the potential that a lot of people would be getting rid of their 4x4 vehicles,” he said. “There would be a conflict between the expectation of the Government to ask people to step up and reducing that cohort of people who can step up.” He also called for a “level playing field” with electric cars, lorries and vans, claiming that the Government appeared to be fixated on 4x4s. “Clearly, if you are in London, they are not essential, but in a rural environment they are. That would be more difficult if there is an additional charge for these vehicles,” he said. “We would struggle to deliver what we do.” A spokesman for the Treasury said: “As has always been the case, decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor to set out at fiscal events, rather than routinely commenting on rumour, speculation or proposals.”