THE man giveth with one hand and taketh tenfold with t’other.
I am of course referring to the Chancellor of the Extortioner, whoops sorry, I mean the Exchequer, with his latest budget.
His reduction of 1p on a litre of fuel duty certainly won’t bring down the prices of food or anything else transported by road, which have soared in recent months.
The prices of tobacco and alcohol are traditionally increased, the latter not helping the pub trade, where pubs are closing rapidly.
Many people who smoke will quit, but the Government, which has to look good in the eyes of the anti-smoking lobby, knows full well that those who continue to smoke will make up any shortfall in duty, as the Treasury relies on the revenue from tobacco duty. It’s all smoke and mirrors.
MICHAEL CLARKE, Lewell Avenue, Old Marston, Oxford
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