§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action the Government is taking to reduce the number of people who are illegally avoiding paying car tax. [125954]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in co-operation with police forces, local authorities and other enforcement agencies already uses a wide range of measures to tackle evasion of vehicle excise duty (VED). These include on-street enforcement, wheelclamping and the use of roadside cameras. The enforcement programme successfully168W actioned some 820,000 cases, recovering some £110 million in fines, out of court settlements and relicensing revenue.
This programme is being strengthened by a range of new initiatives. These include combined operations with local authorities, police forces and fire services aimed at abandoned and unlicensed vehicles, wider use of police traffic cameras, and a new "hotline" facility to allow members of the public to report offences directly to DVLA, anonymously if they wish.
On 22 May I announced proposals to introduce a form of continuous registration, starting in 2004. Under these proposals a vehicle's registered keeper will remain liable for licensing it until it is formally transferred to a new keeper. Enforcement will include the imposition of standard penalties, with more severe fines for determined evaders following prosecution. There will be consultation on the details of these proposals later this year.