Labour-linked think tank calls for fuel duty to be doubled

ED BALLS’S favourite think tank has called for fuel duty to be more than doubled.

news, politics, ed balls, labour, fuel, petrol, tories, government, money, carsEd Balls has come under fire from the Conservatives [GET]

The Centre for American Progress, which has close links to both the shadow chancellor and Labour leader Ed Miliband, is calling for an 82 per cent rise, adding an extra £25.85 every time you fill your tank.

It also wants an additional fee based on the number of miles a person drives a year.

Even if it was only 1p a mile, that would add £82 to the average annual cost of running a car. The think tank report refers primarily to the US. However, it suggests European countries should take the same course to ease congestion on the roads and boost funding for transport infrastructure projects.

It’s the same old Labour; no long-term plan for the economy beyond more wasteful spending, more borrowing and more taxes

Priti Patel, Conservative Treasury Minister

Conservative Treasury Minister Priti Patel said yesterday: “Because we have taken the difficult decisions to deal with the nation’s finances, we have been able to freeze fuel duty, which rocketed under Labour.

“Ed Balls’s own think tank is recommending massive tax hikes on hardworking people.

“It’s the same old Labour; no long-term plan for the economy beyond more wasteful spending, more borrowing and more taxes.”

Mr Miliband is flying to Washington tomorrow for a meeting hosted by CAP for up to 25 senior Washington people, including senators, governors and house representatives, who want to get to know him better.

CAP pays for the shadow chancellor to fly to Washington four times a year to chair meetings.

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