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It has been suggested that plasma screen telly's should be taxed as they use 4 times the amount of electricity than a normal TV set.

It seems that taxing stuff is the only answer when it comes to changing people's habits - I am not sure if this is the right way about it, how about offering incentives (perhaps tax breaks) for those that use less power instead. Why is the stick rather than the carrot the option?

Andy wrote:

It seems that taxing stuff is the only answer when it comes to changing people's habits - I am not sure if this is the right way about it, how about offering incentives (perhaps tax breaks) for those that use less power instead. Why is the stick rather than the carrot the option?

'cos that would result in less revenue for the government, that's why. Cynical, aren't I?

The other problem with tax relief is that it favours the middle-classes - who not only tend to be more environmentally aware to start with but are typically more clued up about the tax regime.

The Chili Monster wrote:'cos that would result in less revenue for the government, that's why. Cynical, aren't I?

A vicious accuracy.

and ultimately we live in a system that values production and consumption above all else. if we all lived a truly green lifestyle the government would need to find some other way of getting taxes out of us.

its in the governments interests to encourage us all to have the biggest, most energy thirsty products. by increasing tax on items such as plasma tvs, and 4x4s (supposedly in the name of the environment) they are both ensuring that less people buy them, but also ensuring they still receive the same (or more) taxes from fewer purchases.

an independent levy, where the funds so raised are used solely for environmental projects would be a better idea - but then who has ever heard of a government doing anything that reduces its own income?

so, am i the king of cynicism? (i call it realist myself) :)

catalyst wrote:an independent levy, where the funds so raised are used solely for environmental projects would be a better idea - but then who has ever heard of a government doing anything that reduces its own income?

Quite, although it would make a difference if the extra revenue raised went on environmental projects. Perhaps giving away free loft insulation or creating more community gardens/allotments. - Can't imagine this happening either. -

I agree that anything that means less revenue will not necessarily be something that the government will jump at.

I have just heard about a government sponsored project here in Australia - so long as you have at least 10 light bulbs to change, an agency will come around and change all the light bulbs in your house for free to energy efficient ones. All at no cost. You just stand there and admire the sight of someone working in your home for free. :)

Contact your local council their energy efficiency officer usually gives out free light bulbs - Somerset CC gave me 8 for nothing. I'm not on benefits or anything either.

going off on the carrot rather than stick tangent.....

most councils are now offering some kind of incentive to use cloth nappies, discounts, vouchers, trial packs.....

I agree that sadly all these things seem to benefit the middle classes most....but what´s the answer to that?

I'm not sure that taxing things has much effect. Look at the tax we pay on petrol in this country. Yet we all use our cars so much. The tax on cigarettes doesn't seem to stop people smoking and there is a huge alcohol problem in this country despite our tax on alcohol being one of the highest in the world.

All that happens is that the increase in indirect tax shows up as "inflation" and has the result of pushing interest rates up for home owners.

Zoe