I I 11 Last year, justice secretary Jack Straw (pictured)
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unveiled his intention to consider extending the victim surcharge to those receiving on-the-spot fines and fixed penalties.
The current minimum fine of £30 would rise to £45, and the proposal has been examined by the Ministry of Justice and the Magistrates Association.
The amount of revenue this could raise is significant. One estimate suggests that speeding offences, at around three million per year, could raise more than £40rn alone.
A report in the Daily Telgeraph at the time Straw unveiled his intention showed opponents, including the Taxpayers' Alliance, were concerned a speeder should pay the same as a mugger or a burgler.
In 2007, when the surcharge was introduced, the Magistrates Association said it was opposed to offenders being taxed by stealth. The association is also currently concerned about plans to extend fixed penalties to the complex offence of careless driving.