Farm vehicles should not be treated as a revenue stream for Treasury: MP
The Labour Government’s vehicle road tax hike, due in April, has been criticised by Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart.
“This is yet another example of a government completely out of touch with the realities facing ordinary people, particularly those living and working in rural areas,” she said.
Drivers across the UK will be hit with yet another increase in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), with first-year charges for some vehicles rising by £200 on top of the eye-watering increases already imposed last year.
First-year ‘luxury car’ or ‘showroom tax’ doubled for many petrol and diesel vehicles in 2025, jumping from £2,745 to £5,490, and now almost 60 popular car models from 24 manufacturers are set to be impacted by even further increases.
The DUP Agriculture spokesperson added: “The government fails to recognise that vehicles such as the Volkswagen Amarok, Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Landcruiser are not luxury purchases, they are essential tools of the trade for farmers and rural businesses.
“Last year, double cab pick-ups with a payload of more than a tonne were reclassified as ‘cars’, automatically cancelling traditional commercial vehicle tax breaks used by farmers and company car drivers.
“Single cab and extended cab pick-ups were unaffected by the changes, as HMRC accepts they clearly demonstrate suitability for commercial use. Double cab pick-ups are classed as dual purpose, suitable for carrying both passengers and goods, but there are limited alternatives available on the market to meet HMRC’s ‘commercial vehicle’ definition.”
Carla Lockhart MP added: “Working families and farmers buying newer vehicles will be hammered by spiralling costs.
“We are all well aware that Sir Keir Starmer’s government has failed to honour many its pre-election promises. The Labour Party is totally out of touch when it comes to the practical reality of day-to-day farming. Removing tax perks on double cab pick-ups, and the ever increasing costs of annual road tax, are another blow for cash-strapped farm businesses.
“At a time when fuel prices, insurance, animal feed and general overhead costs are already placing enormous pressure on households and the agricultural sector, this is the last thing people need,” added the MP. “The government must rethink this punitive approach and introduce a fairer system that recognises the realities of rural life and does not treat essential working vehicles as another revenue stream for the Treasury.”