This Wanna Argument looks at the arguments about the level of taxation on fuel in the UK. Should it be raised or lowered?

Wanna Argument?

September 2000 Fuel Crisis

Over the weekend of the 9th and 10th September, Britain began to be hit by a fuel crisis as truckers and farmers began to escalate their picketing at oil refineries and distribution depots.

Eighty rolling roadblocks were set up around England and Wales on the following Monday, to add to the blockade.

The action that had started at Shell's refinery at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, quickly spread to Wales, Humberside, Bristol, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.

The two views below outline opposing sides of this month's argument. Click on the links to find out more about the business and economic ideas underlying the argument.

Yes! I sympathise 100% with the blockade. (and hate the thought of losing use of my car)

No! I'm totally against the blockade (and love boasting about how fit I've got)

	I just can't believe this Government. They keep putting up tax on petrol. I can't afford to fill up anymore.
			Well actually, our petrol's more expensive 'cos oil keeps going up. It's nothing to do with Blair and Brown.

So what determines the oil price?

	Alright then, if oil prices are so high, how come inflation is so low at the moment, eh?
			If you've been paying attention you'll remember that the oil price has gone up loads in no time at all. It takes more time than that for us to get hit by higher inflation.

Oil prices and inflation.

	Whatever you say, you can't argue over how much more it costs us in Britain for our petrol than in the rest of Europe. I went over to France this year and couldn't believe how much cheaper it is.
			Well, yes and no. If you were driving in France, you must have been avoiding the motorways, 'cos you get hit for fuel and for tolls. Add them up and you're not far short of our costs. Anyway, you obviously haven't seen that it's not just Brits protesting!

Tax and protest.

	Look, let's get to the point. Our Government gets rich out of all the fuel tax we pay. It's time they started giving something back to the hard-pressed motorist.
			Don't be so naïve! Where do you think all the money comes from to pay for the hospitals and the schools, let alone the roads you keep on using?

So what do the government do?

	I don't care about that now. The fact is the farmers and truckers speak for us all with this blockade.
			Do you really think that the farmers and truckers care about the rest of us? They're only in it for what they can get. The truckers are businessmen and I haven't noticed many abandoned tractors on the roadside, so the farmers must be OK for fuel.

Tax and farmers.

	You keep changing the subject! What I'm saying is that fuel tax needs to be cut 'cos cheap petrol is good for everyone.
			Well, I reckon there's a good few million people out there who disagree with that. There's the Greens and the people who can and want to walk or use trains and buses.

The global argument.

	That's as may be. I'm with the truckers who've given Gordon Brown 60 days to cut fuel tax or the blockade's back on.
			Oh yeah, that would be really smart! Have you seen what's happened to Jospin in France. You don't just give in to these protesters, `else you look weak. Let's see what happens in the next Budget. Meanwhile do you want to borrow my pushbike?