Thinking it through ?

[observer]

When politicians think up a new policy, do they ever consider the probable consequences of their innovations ?    First we have the example of the scrapping of the vehicle tax disc, which has evidently resulted in a tripling of tax evasion and the loss of £millions to the Treasury.  Then we have the imposition of a tax on cheap alcoholic drinks by the Scottish Gov; surely a no brainer to assume the Jocks will start loading up in England or distilling their own illegally ?     

[asperity]

I don't see how the scrapping of a paper disc has led to the loss of millions. Surely if someone wants to avoid paying road tax they will do anyway? ANPR has led to the number of people caught for no-payment of tax and insurance rising.

As for whether politicians think through the consequences of their policies the answer is obviously never.

[observer]

Think they were relying on number plate recognition systems Asp; which don't appear to be working; the old fashioned human eye seems to be a surer way of displaying payment. Mind you, there's a question mark nowadays over who's paid for insurance or who even holds a licence.      

[asperity]

But whose human eye are you talking about Obs? It's very rarely you see a bobby out of his patrol car these days, while the same patrol cars have ANPR with which they can check on the tax and insurance status of any car.

[observer]

Well there's those traffic wardens for a start.    

[asperity]

2 hours ago, observer said:

Well there's those traffic wardens for a start.    

Who work what - 8am to 5pm and 5 or 6 days a week in towns that actually have them? Wow!! That sounds pretty effective! Not by the way

And you say "for a start", hmmmmmmmm.  Well come on who else? Ordinary members of the public reporting cars with out of date tax discs to a police force that can't attend your property after a burglary because of "lack of resources" (allegedly - other excuses are available)?

[observer]

Seems we're heading out on a tangent with this one;  the answer lies in the tax take, or rather lack of it.   The new system has brought a three fold increase in evasion, so we can reasonably conclude that it is less fit for purpose than the old system.       

[Davy51]

Seeing as all your details are linked by computer you would  expect the job of catching tax, insurance & MOT dodgers to be a piece of cake. Maybe the knowledge is there but there aren't enough troops on the ground to deal with the matter.

[observer]

The adequacy or otherwise of enforcement should be part of the original concept; like many other ideas, they fail due to a lack of resources (EG - UKBF).