Gerry Keaney, BVRLA chief executive

“It is great that the Red Tape Challenge we participated in is continuing to bring results.”

“We estimate that removing this pointless piece of paper [the tax disc] would save the government around £3m a year, and save fleet operators £10m as well.”

 

David Brennan, managing director of Leaseplan UK

“The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement is good news for drivers and for the wider economy. The announcement of a further fuel duty freeze shows that the Government understands the important role our nation’s drivers play in the economic recovery.

“With UK fuel prices among the highest in the world, this measure will go some way to easing the ongoing financial challenges faced by motorists and businesses.

“We are also pleased to note the simplification of the outdated vehicle tax disc system, and we will be advising our clients of the changes once final details are confirmed. ??

“More broadly, the pledge to limit business rate rises to 2% in England and Wales, instead of linking these to inflation next year, is good news for businesses across the country.

“We know that for many SMEs, these charges seriously affect their bottom line, so we are pleased to see the Chancellor recognising the vital contribution these organisations are making to the UK economy.”

“Beyond this positive news, there is still far more to be done in terms of upgrading the UK’s crumbling road infrastructure. These routes are vital arteries for business, and drivers are still battling congestion and pitted surfaces, despite a series of Government pledges to address these problems.”

 Jonathan Evans, tax Partner at PwC

“This will make things easier administratively, although it is not a big change.  Many people already renew their tax discs online so this is a logical step.

“However, there will be people who don’t have access to electronic payment systems or computers so provision will be needed for these people to tax their vehicles.  With modern copying equipment it must be simple to produce fake tax discs so it seems a sensible anti fraud measure.

“A virtual system may make it easier for those in the motor trade or individuals owning vehicles which fall out of use, to stop the tax on a vehicle whilst it is not on the road, since the tax could be cancelled electronically without surrendering a paper disc.

“This would be good news for taxpayers, and stop tax being needlessly paid on vehicles which are off the road.

“In order to enforce this regime, there will be an increase in the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) equipment which in the future could effectively track motorists every move.” 

  

Damian James, ACFO chairman

Fuel Duty:

“The Government’s decision to cancel next September’s 1.6p a litre rise in fuel duty is a welcome move.

“While fuel prices will continue to rise and fall, the Government’s decision means that fuel duty will not increase before the scheduled 2015 general election.

“The move gives some stability to fleets in their budget forecasting and is welcome at a time when the green shoots of economic recovery are sprouting.”

Car tax disc:

“ACFO has been calling on the DVLA to abolish the tax disc for some time so we are delighted that ministers have listened.

“The car tax disc is a totally unnecessary piece of red tape that is not required in the 21st century with the introduction of rapidly accessible digital records and roadside cameras to check as to whether a vehicle is licensed.

“Removing the tax disc reduces the administrative burden on fleet managers and vehicle leasing companies particularly in terms of forwarding a new disc to drivers.

“However, prior to the withdrawal of the tax disc from October 2014, ACFO wants to be assured that enforcement keeps up with the development.

“This year a grace period has been introduced during which time newly registered and licensed cars and vans cans legally be driven for up to 14 days without displaying a tax disc.

“But ACFO members have reported stories of drivers being stopped because their new vehicle does not display a current tax disc even though the law allows them to drive the vehicle for up to two weeks. 

“We do not want the same situation following abolition of the tax disc. Roadside enforcement must keep up to date with the legislative process.”