Wow, great to be back on-line!

Been off-line and off everything else with Flu for what seems like a month and am only getting back to something like normal now. Although tea still tastes a bit funny which is always a sign that I’m not quite on song.

I’ve missed several chances to keep up my advice to Gordon and Alastair but now feel they are struggling for new ideas again so…..

To keep the Government’s green credentials without any more silly taxes and at the same time to help kick-start the faltering car industry (I said we should), now would be a good time for a new initiative and here it is. Invest money in taking old cars off the road and replacing them with newer, more efficient cars. I’d suggest that loans could be arranged through Northern Rock at a favourable rate to get credit flowing again for these new vehicles. The investment from the taxpayer would be to take any car with current MOT, Tax and Insurance, and provide £1,500 towards a new car. Assuming all the great offers around at the moment continue to be available.

The second thing would be to only allow this to take place where the new vehicle is new, cleaner, less polluting and more efficient than the car it replaces. This would take the oldest and potentially most polluting cars off the market and replace them with newer, more efficient, cleaner and safer cars. Sales would be generated, dealers and manufacturers would benefit, and only law-abiding people with legal vehicles would benefit. Also because the cars would be safer then injuries would be reduced and cost for NHS would also be less. All the cars bought in should be scrapped and the scrap value should accrue to the treasury. This may not be so great at the moment but if the motor industry revives then the scrap value will rise too and the cost to the taxpayer will reduce.

What is the cost? Well I’d calculate that the probable cost for 1 year about £3,000 Million (or 3 Billion Pounds Sterling in Government Speak) but the benefits would be huge to the motoring trade and to priming the loan pump for several years to come. Better than paying billions out in dole and other benefits.

This will help to keep us all employed and keep our land green and pleasant for future generations.

So that’s the next move for you chaps in government, unless you have a better idea?