Politicians love announcing new initiatives. In this series we pluck a pledge from the archives. And see what happened next...
Politicians love announcing new initiatives. In this series we pluck a pledge from the archives. And see what happened next...
Britdisc supporters say increased traffic could make it more viable
Britdisc supporters say increased traffic could make it more viable
Gordon Brown has often faced the fury of the UK's lorry drivers.
Gordon Brown has often faced the fury of the UK's lorry drivers.
The "fuel crisis" of September 2000, when hauliers blockaded refineries in protest at rapidly rising fuel prices, was a low point.
The "fuel crisis" of September 2000, when hauliers blockaded refineries in protest at rapidly rising fuel prices, was a low point.
Mr Brown, then chancellor, was vilified for presiding over higher duties than elsewhere in Europe, squeezing operators' profits and sending many out of business.
Mr Brown, then chancellor, was vilified for presiding over higher duties than elsewhere in Europe, squeezing operators' profits and sending many out of business.
There was also anger that overseas hauliers, who could buy fuel at a cheaper rate than in the UK, were able to use the country's roads for free.
There was also anger that overseas hauliers, who could buy fuel at a cheaper rate than in the UK, were able to use the country's roads for free.
British lorry drivers had to pay to use roads in other EU countries, via tolls and other charges.
British lorry drivers had to pay to use roads in other EU countries, via tolls and other charges.
This was not fair, the transport industry shouted.
This was not fair, the transport industry shouted.
So, it was something of an olive branch-offering exercise when, in November of that year, Mr Brown proposed the Britdisc.
So, it was something of an olive branch-offering exercise when, in November of that year, Mr Brown proposed the Britdisc.
All hauliers, including foreigners, operating on the UK's roads were to pay some road tax - and present a disc in their windscreens.
All hauliers, including foreigners, operating on the UK's roads were to pay some road tax - and present a disc in their windscreens.
We will stand up for our plans because they're the right plans Gordon Brown, November 2000
We will stand up for our plans because they're the right plans Gordon Brown, November 2000
British firms would be compensated for the cost through parallel cuts in vehicle excise duty.
British firms would be compensated for the cost through parallel cuts in vehicle excise duty.
Mr Brown was on bullish form when questioned on BBC One's Breakfast with Frost, saying it had "been a problem for some time that foreign lorries using British roads neither pay tolls on the roads, as our lorries do in France, nor do they pay the disc that they have to do in Germany and Netherlands and other countries like Italy.
Mr Brown was on bullish form when questioned on BBC One's Breakfast with Frost, saying it had "been a problem for some time that foreign lorries using British roads neither pay tolls on the roads, as our lorries do in France, nor do they pay the disc that they have to do in Germany and Netherlands and other countries like Italy.
"So to introduce this Britdisc, which is a payment the foreign lorries would have to make to use British roads, is not only fair but it's long overdue."
"So to introduce this Britdisc, which is a payment the foreign lorries would have to make to use British roads, is not only fair but it's long overdue."
'Fair system'
'Fair system'
He added: "We will stand up for our plans because they're the right plans.
He added: "We will stand up for our plans because they're the right plans.
"And, of course there is a European vignette, which is the equivalent of the Britdisc, in other countries and I'm not going to have the [European] Commission telling us in Britain that when we want to have a fair system of paying for licence fees for foreign hauliers using British roads that we cannot do."
"And, of course there is a European vignette, which is the equivalent of the Britdisc, in other countries and I'm not going to have the [European] Commission telling us in Britain that when we want to have a fair system of paying for licence fees for foreign hauliers using British roads that we cannot do."
Eight years later the Britdisc has not been introduced.
Eight years later the Britdisc has not been introduced.
The Freight Transport Association argues the situation is even more unfair than in 2000, as the number of overseas trucks on UK roads has increased.
The Freight Transport Association argues the situation is even more unfair than in 2000, as the number of overseas trucks on UK roads has increased.
Mr Brown incurred the wrath of truck drivers in 2000
Mr Brown incurred the wrath of truck drivers in 2000
A spokeswoman said: "This all seems to have been consigned to the 'too difficult' basket for the government. But it should realise that transport is the backbone of the UK economy.
A spokeswoman said: "This all seems to have been consigned to the 'too difficult' basket for the government. But it should realise that transport is the backbone of the UK economy.
"Fuel duties in France are half what they are here, so people are filling up there, losing the UK government revenue.
"Fuel duties in France are half what they are here, so people are filling up there, losing the UK government revenue.
"Lorries from abroad, such as eastern Europe, are coming here and paying no road tax.
"Lorries from abroad, such as eastern Europe, are coming here and paying no road tax.
"The government is losing money on two fronts - road tax and fuel duty - and is disadvantaging UK companies at the same time. Who gains from that?"
"The government is losing money on two fronts - road tax and fuel duty - and is disadvantaging UK companies at the same time. Who gains from that?"
Charges capped
Charges capped
In 1999 the European Union had issued the Eurovignette Directive, allowing "for greater differentiation of tolls and charges".
In 1999 the European Union had issued the Eurovignette Directive, allowing "for greater differentiation of tolls and charges".
But EU-wide maximum charges for road users from other countries were also set.
But EU-wide maximum charges for road users from other countries were also set.
For any driver, of whatever vehicle, the maximum cost per day is still eight euros (£6.70).
For any driver, of whatever vehicle, the maximum cost per day is still eight euros (£6.70).
The government eventually decided that the expense of setting up and running the Britdisc - especially with a charging cap - made it unviable.
The government eventually decided that the expense of setting up and running the Britdisc - especially with a charging cap - made it unviable.
A Department for Transport study published last October concluded that such a scheme "would go only a small way to equalising the burden of UK taxes and charges between UK and foreign operators".
A Department for Transport study published last October concluded that such a scheme "would go only a small way to equalising the burden of UK taxes and charges between UK and foreign operators".
Ministers have to start showing some of the vision the Victorians had Paul Carter, Kent County Council
Ministers have to start showing some of the vision the Victorians had Paul Carter, Kent County Council
It did acknowledge that the Britdisc "would serve to redress the perceived inequality", but said it might also "dissuade" overseas hauliers from remaining in the UK.
It did acknowledge that the Britdisc "would serve to redress the perceived inequality", but said it might also "dissuade" overseas hauliers from remaining in the UK.
Overall, the study found "the effect on the domestic freight industry would be positive but limited" because of the EU directive limiting charges at less than £7 a day.
Overall, the study found "the effect on the domestic freight industry would be positive but limited" because of the EU directive limiting charges at less than £7 a day.
The words were lukewarm at best - far from Mr Brown's 2000 fighting talk. But the idea behind the Britdisc, it seems, is not dead.
The words were lukewarm at best - far from Mr Brown's 2000 fighting talk. But the idea behind the Britdisc, it seems, is not dead.
The Treasury is committed to carrying out a Foreign Vehicle Data Survey, looking at the level and nature of road use by overseas drivers.
The Treasury is committed to carrying out a Foreign Vehicle Data Survey, looking at the level and nature of road use by overseas drivers.
Part of this involves deciding whether an increased level of traffic from abroad could make the Britdisc - renamed the Eurovignette and payable online rather than needing a disc in the windscreen - more profitable.
Part of this involves deciding whether an increased level of traffic from abroad could make the Britdisc - renamed the Eurovignette and payable online rather than needing a disc in the windscreen - more profitable.
'Needs challenging'
'Needs challenging'
The survey report is expected next spring and, according to a government source, another "large government announcement" could follow within a couple of years.
The survey report is expected next spring and, according to a government source, another "large government announcement" could follow within a couple of years.
In Kent, whose roads are used by a large number of overseas lorries, the county council is pushing for the government to introduce the Eurovignette.
In Kent, whose roads are used by a large number of overseas lorries, the county council is pushing for the government to introduce the Eurovignette.
It argues that this could make £40m a year to help pay for vast transport projects, such as an extra Thames road crossing.
It argues that this could make £40m a year to help pay for vast transport projects, such as an extra Thames road crossing.
The council's Conservative leader, Paul Carter, said: "The civil servants' case that it wouldn't make any money needs challenging.
The council's Conservative leader, Paul Carter, said: "The civil servants' case that it wouldn't make any money needs challenging.
"We don't need loads of new technology. Why not just charge for lorries rolling off ferries at ports?
"We don't need loads of new technology. Why not just charge for lorries rolling off ferries at ports?
"There is a massive growth in lorries using our already clogged-up roads, about 10% a year. We have to start charging and I'm optimistic we can get our case across.
"There is a massive growth in lorries using our already clogged-up roads, about 10% a year. We have to start charging and I'm optimistic we can get our case across.
"Ministers have to start showing some of the vision the Victorians had when they set up our current structures in the first place."
"Ministers have to start showing some of the vision the Victorians had when they set up our current structures in the first place."
The wheels of government move slowly but, like a heavy goods vehicle, it seems the Britdisc saga is set to rumble on and on.
The wheels of government move slowly but, like a heavy goods vehicle, it seems the Britdisc saga is set to rumble on and on.
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