Eco taxes
Every week I write a column for our local paper, The Wharf. I try to focus on ethical and environmental issues which affect residents and workers in east London, and I thought it might be a nice idea to post my column up on the blog for any of you not lucky enough to live in the shadow of Canary Wharf! Here’s this week’s…
I’m sure by now you’ve all seen the TV ads reminding you that today is the deadline to return your self assessment tax form. These are hilariously captioned “tax doesn’t have to be taxing,â€? which is a bit like saying “death doesn’t have to be deadly,â€? in that it is clearly a blatant lie.
Much controversy has arisen in recent months about so-called green taxes. We haven’t yet reached the stage where we all get an annual carbon allowance, though that may be coming soon. What many do point to are increases in air duty, petrol prices and energy costs which amount to a tax on individuals who use carbon-intensive transport and housing options.
The government sees these as a positive step – so those who use less are rewarded with tax breaks. Cynics, however, see them as an easy option to boost the coffers of No. 10 without raising the wrath of the voters.
They argue that green taxes do little to actually stimulate regeneration or more sustainable practices, and are little more than unofficial revenue streams. So while, say, the London congestion charge may have a positive effect on air quality in the capital, it’s having an even more pronounced effect on the amount of cash in the GLA’s bank account.
The Lib Dems are perhaps the deepest shade of green in the political spectrum. They advocate a cut in income tax with the resulting deficit being made up by new green taxes – essentially paying people to become more sustainable.
Whatever happens in the next budget you can be sure that issues like low carbon housing and increased investment in public transport are here to stay. And formal, statutory environmental taxes may not be a pipe dream for much longer. Give it a few years and you could find that insulating your loft or switching to a lower CO2 car could bring you a tax break as well as a greener conscience.
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