Six months ago, I wrote a column headlined ‘Motorists have never had it so bad’. I discussed the rising price of petrol, soaring car tax, insurance costs, and the long waits for driving tests. Back then, the cost of driving was climbing while road maintenance was plummeting.
Read: Monthly column: Motorists have never had it so bad
The situation has not improved much yet. In fact, the price of car insurance premiums has risen by an average of 21% over the past two years alone.
Young drivers, in particular, are being hit hard, with 17-year-olds now paying around £3,000 for insurance—over triple the national average.
So, I’m pleased that the Government is now acting on its manifesto commitment to tackle these spiralling costs.
This week, they ordered a task force to assess whether consumers are receiving fair value for money and to look at the impact on the groups hit hardest by rising premiums, such as low-income families, young drivers, and the elderly.
This task force will identify the main factors driving up the cost of insurance, including inflation, the rise in car thefts, and the country’s pothole-ridden roads.
The Government has also pledged to fill up to one million more potholes every year, which should help relieve some pressure.
Car insurance is an expensive necessity for drivers, yet the market has inflated prices far beyond what we see in other European countries.
Bringing these costs under control is crucial, not only for motorists but for accessing economic opportunities. Affordable driving will help support the government’s wider mission of economic growth.
In addition to this, I’m pleased to see that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is investigating whether consumers are being overcharged for paying their car and home insurance in instalments.
“A lifeline for millions”
This practice has been criticized as “a tax on being poor,” and it’s estimated that over 20 million people are affected. Many of these consumers are being charged interest rates between 20-30% simply for paying in instalments, which is wholly unfair.
This Labour Government understands that transport is a lifeline for millions of people. It’s the difference between opportunity and isolation. Transport is an essential part of our mission to rebuild Britain.
We are committed to delivering infrastructure that works for the whole country through a new Road Safety Strategy—the first in over a decade.
Improving road safety and addressing pothole-ridden roads will also cut costs for drivers, who often face expensive repairs due to poorly maintained infrastructure. Additionally, cyclists and motorcyclists face serious risks on these roads, so fixing this is critical.
I’ve been encouraged by the emphasis placed on local transport in recent discussions, particularly on fixing roads, supporting local buses, and promoting walking and cycling.
The Government is setting out ambitious plans to promote greener journeys, regardless of how people choose to travel.
Active travel, walking and cycling, lies at the heart of these efforts, helping the country meet goals for economic growth, net-zero emissions, and public health by tackling air pollution and preventing ill health.
Our commitment to improving transport infrastructure, reducing costs, and promoting safer, greener journeys is a vital step towards creating a more equitable, prosperous future for everyone, however they choose to travel.
This is a monthly guest column provided by
Mohammad Yasin, Labour MP for Bedford & Kempston.
It is published unedited and does not
reflect the views of the Bedford Independent.
