'Big Brother' pay-per-mile charge could be announced on this date with drivers 'fleeced'

New pay-per-mile car tax changes could be announced within weeks despite having a major impact on millions of petrol, diesel and electric road users.

Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK has predicted the new fee will be introduced alongside fuel duty rises in the October budget.

This is currently set for October 30 with changes likely to come into effect soon after if it is announced.

Although pay-per-mile has yet to be confirmed, there are strong rumours a system is currently being devised.

It comes after Adam Smith, former chief of staff to Jeremy Hunt, claimed the Treasury had been working on the introduction of a road pricing system.

The Labour Government is also keen to plug a £22 billion back hole in public finances.

Mr Cox made the assessment after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned the next Budget could be "painful".

However, the campaigner admitted the move and a likely increase in fuel duty would "fleece" motorists across the country.

Howard commented: "The inevitable move to Big Brother pay-per-mile taxation, which Labour plans to work alongside the declining fuel duty income, will undoubtedly be announced in the budget too.

"I predict the net outcome from the October Budget is that the UK's 37m drivers are set to be fleeced on a scale not seen since 1997 to 2010 when Labour increased fuel duty by a staggering 46 percent."

The Transport Committee previously backed a new road pricing fee and recommended introducing a charge in a 2022 report.

It comes after concern around lower fuel duty revenues as more motorists make the switch to electric vehicles.

A new pay-per-mile car tax would likely replace the current £190 per year Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) charge.

Although a detailed plan has never emerged, experts have previously guessed how much motorists could pay

The Campaign for Better Transport has recently predicted that a 2p per mile charge could be introduced.

However, the Resolution Foundation feels rates will be higher with officials suggesting a 6p per mile fee was more likely.