Nowadays it is unlawful for any employer or professional body etc. to discriminate on the grounds of age, race, sexual orientation and disability. However, this doesn't stop the Chancellor of the Exchequer from discriminating against certain groups of people such as me!
A year or two ago as a nod towards cutting exhaust CO2 emissions from cars, legislation was passed so that those buying smaller, more economical cars would only have to pay £35 road tax compared with £120 for those with larger engine sizes. I think the larger Chelsea tractors and other gas guzzlers may have to pay more and so they should, but as they are way out of my price range or need, I don't really know.
Anyway, last August when I retired I had to replace my 16 year old car and with the scrappage deal I was able to stretch to buying a little 1:0 litre Kia Picanto. This is a modest little car and suits my needs admirably because I do not do that much driving and the reasons that I need a car anyway are that I have arthritis and spinal problems which means I cannot walk very far or carry shopping, so need the car to go to the supermarket. The other reason is because my nearest family are just over a twenty five mile drive away with no regular or convenient public transport links.
However, my road tax is £120 per year while a neighbour round the corner who also bought a Kia Picanto a couple of months later only has to pay £35. The reason for this is that I am older than her so have disabilities such as arthritis and other problems including a trapped sciatic nerve, which means that I cannot use a clutch pedal or change gear with my left hand as I am unable to grip due to arthritis. For this reason, I have to drive an automatic car rather that a manual transmission and that is why there is a difference in the price of the road tax. My neighbour however, is fit and healthy and also works while I am on a very limited pension.
The Chancellor has discriminated against me in two ways. Firstly on the grounds of my disability which means I cannot drive a manual transmission and secondly on the grounds of my age. I am sure that most automatic cars are owned by the older driver anyway and I do not see why we should have to pay more road tax when both types of car with a 1:0 litre engine have such low CO2 emissions. Yes, the automatic does need a bit more oomph but I have only just clocked up 1,000 miles since the beginning of August and in a year my total mileage is under 3,000 miles.
Wake up Chancellor, I'm thinking of suing you for discrimination!
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