Closed petition Hold a public inquiry into the decision to incentivise diesel cars & its effects

Closed on 5 September 2018

In 2001 the government decided to link car tax (VED) to CO2 emissions. In 2002 company car tax also became emissions-based. People were encouraged by such incentives to buy diesel cars. Health-damaging air pollution has worsened dramatically and diesel car owners now face punitive charges.

Two very serious effects of this decision fully justify a public inquiry, to ensure such grave policy mistakes aren't repeated and to consider public compensation:

1. Air pollution now causes 40,000 early deaths in the UK and costs the country £27.5bn a year, according to the government's own estimates. MPs have called this a "public health emergency".

2. People encouraged to buy diesel cars now face punitive costs and barriers to their use. This reversal is grievous public maladministration.