NO SURPRISES JUST MORE TAX
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French truck drivers manning the road blocks have won grudging respect by some of their British counterparts who have been impressed by the determination of the French to improve their lot. Wages and working conditions for the average French driver are poorer than those in Britain despite the fact that haulage in both countries is governed by similar regulations.
But, as some French drivers point out, their employers, unlike those in Britain, are not quite so strict on applying the rules. It is the British sense of fair play and belief in obeying the law that prevents scenes like those in France with trucks blocking cities and towns from occurring here. And it is not as if Britain's hauliers do not have real grievances. Commercial Motor has spoken to many who have come close to taking direct action of the French, kind in response to the highest levels of taxation seen in peacetime Britain.
This government has raised the duty on diesel by 5% above inflation for the past five years and introduced a 3% tax on insurance—all while reducing the quality and number of roads on which we ply our trade. And this week Chancellor Kenneth Clarke has increased these taxes again. But what else did we expect? Our sense of duty prevails and we still see tax as something we are obliged to pay rather than money the government takes from us.
We know tax must increase to balance the budget to pay for the health and education services we want. But, Mr Clarke, did you have to ignore all our concerns so moderately expressed, by taxing this industry more than most, by demanding we pay so much more for the very thing on which our livelihoods depend—diesel?