Former transport minister blasts Labour for 'hammering' people with pay-per-mile: 'They are TARGETING them!'

Speaking on GB News Holden said: "We've already seen the Mayor in London absolutely hammering people like my constituents, van drivers from Basildon who maybe work as tradesmen coming into London.

"Obviously they have been really hit by that Ulez already, which is a sort of precursor to their pay per mile.

"Now, we've seen the Government also indicating that it's going to raise fuel duty.

"So whether you're a bus user on one side or you've got a small business with a van, or you're a car user on the other side, you are going to get absolutely hammered by this Labour Government."

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He added: "I just think whether you're they're targeting working people right across the board, I just I cannot understand how a party that was meant to be founded for working people is now targeting working people."

He highlighted the impact of London's Ulez on tradesmen and small business owners, describing it as a "precursor" to pay-per-mile taxation.

Pay-per-mile, also known as road pricing, is a proposed taxation system that would charge drivers based on the distance they travel.

Concerns have been raised about its impact on rural and low-mobility drivers. The system could potentially use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras for enforcement.

Labour's first Budget could introduce several changes affecting motorists.

The RAC's Simon Williams suggests a likely increase in fuel duty from 52.9p to 58p per litre, citing Treasury losses of £2billion annually from the current discount.

Road tax may also rise, potentially affecting electric vehicles from April 2025 when their exemption ends.

The pay-per-mile system remains a contentious proposal with supporters arguing it could be fairer for electric car owners and encourage greener transport.

However, critics worry about its impact on rural and low-mobility drivers.