Controversial car tax plans withdrawn

Tynwald to revisit proposals after lockdown

Controversial changes to car tax have been delayed until after the current lockdown.

The Vehicle Duty Order 2021 had been on the order paper for this month's sitting of Tynwald.

The proposals included a 1% general increase for the year ahead.

It would have also changed the way vehicles registered before 2010 are assessed from 2022, with a focus on kerbweight instead of engine size.

The Department of Infrastructure says the proposals will now be brought back later in the year.

In a statement, it says these changes were drawn up nearly two years ago following consultation, and may now need reconsidering due to the challenges of the pandemic.

More than 5,000 people signed an online petition asking for the new charges to be scrapped.

Current vehicle duty prices will continue, while the six month payment option will not be brought in.

DoI figures show vehicle tax brings in £13.5m per year, which would have risen to £13.7m for the 2021-22 period under these proposals.