10 Jul 08 13:47
The government is facing criticism over estimates that changes to vehicle excise duty will affect the owners of 44% of all vehicles made since 2001.
According to government figures, this could mean that nine million motorists face a road tax increase of up to £245 for the most polluting vehicles.
Treasury minister Angela Eagle has attempted to deflect the criticisms by saying: 'A third of cars will be better off in real terms and, in total, approximately 55% of cars will be no worse off.'
Some analysts have estimated the added road tax paid by the remaining 44% will net the Treasury an additional £1bn in revenue by 2011. Critics of the increase claim that the changes will hit the poor hardest.
The AA's Edmund King said: 'This is not a green tax but a mean tax that will hit millions of hard-up families.'
