Will somebody tell them there's a recession

Apr 3 2009 Ian Johnson

Will somebody tell them there's a recession

IS THE public sector living in an uninformed parallel universe? It certainly appears so when you look at some of the whopping fee increases announced by the DVLA and DSA.

When road haulage bosses are gloomily anticipating a a duty increase on diesel which will send prices in shops rocketing, The Association of British Drivers has condemned a number of inflation-busting fee increases announced by the DVLA and DSA as extortionate and unreasonable in these times of great hardship for most hard-working families.

The DVLA announced that fees were to rise from £17.50 to £20 (a 14% increase) for replacement driving licences, including, of course, the controversial requirement to renew photographs every ten years.

These increases come at the same time as the Driving Standards Agency increases the practical driving test fee from £56.50 to £62 (a 10% increase) as well as adding £1 to the theory test fee, with higher increases for motorcyclists.

There is a crippling recession on out there and in one breath we are told that there is an ultra low rate of inflation and then we see massive hikes like these.

This is yet another example of the driver being used as a cash generator when already under increasing environmental and financial pressure.