A record £43 billion were paid in environmental taxes by households and businesses in the United Kingdom in 2013. The figure stood at £41.3 billion in 2012 and £30.4 billion a decade ago, in 2003.The majority of bill was borne by the commercial sector.
Over £500 million of the £1.7 billion increase was attributed to the increase in green taxes to subsidise the construction of wind and solar farms and other green technologies.
£26.7 billion were paid in taxes on petrol and diesel and formed the biggest part of the £43 billion environmental taxes. Automobile companies have complained that fuel taxes in the UK are among the highest in Europe.
Green taxes are becoming increasingly controversial in the UK with ministers indicating a roll back. UK’s green levies were 7.5 per cent of its total revenue from taxes and social contributions, and were equivalent to 2.7 per cent of its gross domestic product.