New pay-per-mile car tax changes will “track people’s movements” in a major “privacy concern”, according to motoring experts.
Ian Taylor, ex-chairman and spokesperson of the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD), warned motorists every move would be collected if a new charge was introduced.
A pay-per-mile scheme has yet to be announced but there are rumours Labour is considering introducing a charge in the near future.
Speculation has only risen after Adam Smith, chief of staff under Jeremy Hunt, admitted staff from HM Treasury had requested that the Government “start preparatory work on a road pricing scheme”.
This would see motorists charged for every mile they travel on UK roads but would likely replace Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
It means drivers are charged for what they use instead of paying a flat fee every year on a renewal date.
However, Ian warned that implementing the scheme wouldn’t be cheap and highlighted how drivers will be monitored under its programme.
He said: “It’s regressive taxation, plus the means of implementation doesn’t come cheap and will involve tracking people’s movements all the time which comes with its own privacy concerns.”
It’s not the first time that drivers’ privacy under a new car tax scheme has been discussed.
Meanwhile, FairFuelUK boss Howard Cox claimed the new technology would turn the UK into a “big brother nanny state”.
Mr Cox added: “And there is a little matter of methodology and privacy, too, that will inflict a massive uncertainty of actual cost on drivers, with a big brother nanny state knowing every inch of where we travel.
“The cost of implementation will be off the scale, meaning small businesses, logistics, and low-income families will be financially crucified.”
Reacting to the reports, HM Treasury simply commented: “We are committed to supporting our automotive sector as we transition to electric vehicles in order to meet our legally binding climate targets.”
