Sorry to disagree with you eric, but I do believe that the level of taxation should be decided thru the budget and not because interested parties put pressure on governments through protest. Surely thats as much public blackmail. I do not deny them their right to protest although it would probably have had more effect nearer budget time. taxation is all a question of balance -fuel may be cheaper in France where personal taxation is a lot higher. If we put up personal taxation everyone, including pensioners who may not drive will suffer. I go to work on a bus because we refuse to be a 2 car family and it takes me nearly 1 hour to get to work and 2 buses. despite the crisis mothers were still ferrying there kids quarter of a mile to school and cars were still making journeys with one occupant. In the same news bulletin the enviroment agency was waring about future flooding in Yorks - environmental changes caused in part by our love affair with the car -we need to change not strike because prices are rising!