Cracks in ‘green’ consumer conscience when it comes to tax

Despite many UK consumers being prepared to adopt a more ‘green’ lifestyle, 50 per cent are still not prepared to pay more tax to help combat green issues believing they already pay too much tax, according to figures from Unbiased.co.uk. At the same time over one in 20 (7 per cent) ‘Green Meanies’ don’t care about green issues at all.

With holiday season now upon us and air travel a major contributor to our ever increasing carbon footprints, only one in five (20 per cent) said they would be happy to pick up the tab for increased tax on air travel.

However all is not lost – when it comes to car travel, almost a quarter (23 per cent) said they’d be prepared to pay more car tax if the money was used to reduce carbon fumes on motor vehicles – despite one in 10 (11%) claiming this to be their most resented tax. And almost a fifth (17 per cent) said they’d be happy to reach into their pockets if the money was used to tackle issues closer to home such as littering.

Those in the 25-34 age range were most open to paying tax on air travel (24 per cent) while almost two thirds (63 per cent) of the 45-54 year-old group were the most reluctant to pay extra tax for green issues (63 per cent).

David Elms, Chief Executive of Unbiased.co.uk comments, “Tackling green issues is probably high on most consumer’s wish lists, yet in reality many are not prepared to reach into their pockets to help contribute to the cause, mainly because they believe they are paying too much tax already. The irony is that many people are needlessly wasting their money on paying existing taxes due to a lack of understanding and guidance.

“No one likes paying taxes and this is evident with two thirds of us saying we resent rising taxes. The onus is, more than ever, on the individual to get their financial affairs in order. When it comes to tax, there are a number of simple steps people can take to reduce the amount the Chancellor takes from them. Time spent filling in a form, or making a will, or ensuring savings are protected by an ISA, take relatively little time, but will probably be some of the most effective time you will spend this year. Plus the money you save by reducing your tax wastage could then allow you to be ‘greener’.

“Since we launched TaxAction fifteen years ago, we have seen a steady increase in the amount of tax we throw away. This year’s report shows we waste £7.9 billion, the highest since the campaign began. People who want to reduce the amount they waste should visit an independent financial adviser who can show you how to become tax savvy with your finances.”