§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on car usage arising from the fuel tax escalator. [56728]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe fuel duty escalator will have some impact in reducing vehicle mileage but its main purpose is to reduce fuel consumption and hence carbon dioxide emissions, the main greenhouse gas. By 2010, overall fuel duty increases from 1997 to 2002 under the escalator of on average at least 6 per cent. real increases in fuel duty each year are estimated to result in carbon dioxide savings of between 2 and 5 million tonnes of carbon and traffic reduction of around 12 billion kilometres, most of which arises from reduced car use.