VED rise 'could hit families hardest'

VED rise 'could hit families hardest'

Families in the UK could be hit hardest by government plans to increase vehicle excise duty (VED), it has been claimed.

According to independent consumer website Honest John, chancellor George Osborne may announce the rise as part of his Budget, due to be unveiled next week.

The website claims that the move could punish families who have opted to purchase cars with lower emissions, in part encouraged by the government's scrappage scheme.

Honest John editor Dan Harrison said the rise in reduced emission vehicles is good for the environment, but that concessions are causing the Treasury to experience reduced VED earnings.

"All those borderline low emissions vehicles could be in the chancellor's sights, making what has already become a phenomenally expensive year for motorists even more difficult," Mr Harrison added.

Vehicles with emissions of 100g/km or less are currently exempt from VED.