Theresa May is considering lifting the freeze on fuel duty to raise money for the NHS, reports the Guardian. An inflation-linked increase would raise £800 million for the Treasury in 2019  – and billions move over subsequent years – as the government seeks to honour its pledge to spend an additional £20 billion on the health service by 2023.

Philip Hammond is thought to giving “serious consideration” to lifting the eight-year long freeze on duty, along with the freeze on alcohol, which costs the Treasury a further £200m a year.

It makes perfect sense to raise fuel duty to fund the #NHS. Air pollution caused by vehicles makes us ill and raises the cost of healthcare. Society as a whole carries this extra cost, because fuel duty is so low.

— George Monbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) July 3, 2018

The move has the potential to anger drivers, who will see a rise in the cost of motoring, putting pressure on household budgets. However, while the move is being considered, it could yet be blocked by senior backbench MPs, who have expressed concerns over the rising cost of living.

Motorists have saved millions of pounds over the last eight years, but the freeze has cost the Treasury £46 billion since 2011-12. Without a lift, the government will lose a further £26 billion by the 2020-21 financial year.

Fuel duty currently raises £28 billion a year. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has calculated that if then-Chancellor George Osborne hadn’t revised it in 2010, it would currently be annually raising £9 billion more. 

Carl Emmerson, deputy director of the IFS, told the Guardian: “If they don’t [lift the freeze] the deficit hole will get even bigger. The challenge of finding the money for the NHS, keeping the public finances on the track the chancellor might want, would all be harder if you continued freezing it.

“I presume that the Treasury is finding it difficult to say we can just squeeze spending in areas such as defence or schools or justice or working-age welfare. That leaves them the option of either ditching the deficit target and borrowing more, or going for some tax rises.”

Last month, former government transport advisor Professor David Begg said that the freeze on fuel duty had reduced prices by 13 percent, resulting in a 4 percent increase in traffic and 4.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Environmental groups would support a move to lift the fuel freeze, if it reduces the amount of road traffic and toxic pollution.

Lifting freeze ‘suicidal’

In response to the rumours, FairFuelUK’s founder, Howard Cox said: “37 million drivers are still the highest taxed in the world despite eight years of a freeze. Any emotive fuel tax hike to fund the NHS will be suicidal for the government when they clearly stated in 2014 that cutting it, will generate jobs, stimulate GDP and increase consumer spending, so giving more revenue to the Exchequer.

“Theresa May, if these rumours are true, couldn’t have picked a worse time. [The] economy in free fall, a weak pound, interest rates to rise and oil prices rocketing. A fiscal disaster in the making compounded even further by a potential huge drubbing at any future ballot box.”

A recent study revealed that British motorists spend £388.45 a month on motoring, with fuel accounting for £67.63 of that figure.

Jeep has been a fully-fledged presence in the UK for some time. Its years-old reputation as the rugged, rough-and-ready American answer to Land Rover, combined with appealing entries into emerging small-car segments have made it a burgeoning Fiat Group favourite.

Yet it still seems to occupy a niche: never the choice buy, but the quirky alternative. Why is this? Questions of quality do still hang – a rap of your knuckles on a Cherokee’s dash won’t quite yield the quality ‘thump’ you’d get in a Volkswagen Tiguan, for example.

The new 5-3-5 scheme is designed to close that confidence deficit by putting Jeep’s money where its mouth is and “underlining the Jeep brand’s confidence in the quality of its vehicle line-up”.

What is it?

Translated, 5-3-5 is a five-year warranty, three years of servicing and five years of roadside assistance on all Wrangler, Renegade, Compass, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee models. It’s all as per the old three-year package, but for five years or up to 75,000 miles.

Free servicing is just that, too, with no labour charge for fitment and application of your free parts and lubricants over the course of the first three scheduled services.

Point to note: that’s not necessarily three years. Years or mileage, whichever comes first. Second, this deal doesn’t apply to the MY19 Renegade and Wrangler… yet. Still, as small print goes they’re not deal-breakers.

Does it make a Jeep a good buy?

It’s a bold and impressive move from an appealing marque with a point to prove – both to critics and consumers. Regardless of quality, a product with a guarantee this substantial gains major forecourt appeal.

A tug at the heart strings alone isn’t enough to sell cars anymore but a package like this – Jeep hopes – will make its cars appeal to the head as well as the heart.

Andrew Tracey, Country Manager, Jeep UK reckons “there has never been a better time to buy a new Jeep vehicle… this attractive 5-3-5 programme makes an already very good Jeep range even more appealing. The offer of a five-year manufacturer’s warranty especially gives customers real peace of mind.”

Will it get customers through doors buying more Jeeps? Time will tell.

Read more:

• Skoda ad helps Paloma Faith to biggest hit in years
• Car insurance is getting cheaper – especially for young drivers
• From Senna to Isabella: cars named after people

The Ferrari 250 GTO is among the most desirable cars in the world. Pristine examples change hands for tens of millions of pounds – so the opportunity to buy one that hasn’t ever been driven is likely to prove irresistible for bidders at Coys’ latest Blenheim Palace auction.

The ‘car’ is a very last-minute entry into the sale this weekend, and is expected to sell for a small fortune. Just one problem: the winner will to now build it themselves…

Part of the Cavallino ‘shipping container hoard’, the complete kit of parts to build a Ferrari GTO-style car includes most of the relevant bits. Along with the chassis frame of a 1962 Ferrari 250 (chassis number #4105GT), the auction includes:

• Original Ferrari Tipo 128S V12 engine
• ‘Highly authentic’ GTO-style tubular steel frame
• Suspension and braking components
• Bodywork panels
• Wheels
• Cooling system
• Various dials and gauges

All the parts were at the same site as the original find – but in a container located in a slightly different (and secret) location. Amazingly, it was discovered just a few days ago.

“We were over the moon with the first finds,” said Coys MD Chris Routledge, “but we are ecstatic about this. 

“It is completely unprecedented in the world of classic cars and we have rushed to get it into our Blenheim Palace classic car auction.”

Nick Wells is a specialist at Coys, and he’s incredibly excited about this week’s sale. “The 250 GTO is without doubt the most desirable classic car in the world.

“With one of the original 36 examples now changing hands at in excess of £50m, this blank canvas ‘build your own’ project, offered with unique provenance from Enzo Ferrari himself, is a mouth-watering prospect for the serious enthusiast.”

All eyes will be on the sale tomorrow (Saturday 30 June) to find out what those at the Blenheim Palace sale think it’s worth…

The McLaren Senna is the latest in a long line of cars named after a person, with Woking’s new supercar badged in honour of three-time F1 world champion, Ayrton Senna. Indeed, the 800hp Senna is a double-barrelled delight, with the McLaren name stemming from Bruce, the legendary racing driver from New Zealand. We used the Senna to go off in search of other cars named after people.

McLaren Senna

From our first drive of the Senna: “McLaren invited Bianca and Bruno Senna (Ayrton’s niece and nephew) over to its studio, to show them the project, then codenamed P15. It was to be the ultimate track car, one with ‘the purest connection to the driver ever’. One showing ultimate commitment and focus on details. Just like Ayrton. They loved it. The Senna was born.”

• McLaren Senna first drive review: Ayrton would approve

Lotus Elise

In 1993, Bugatti took charge at Lotus and, three years later, the Elise was born, named after the granddaughter of chairman Romano Artioli. Elisa Artioli was sat in the Lotus as the covers were pulled off at its unveiling at the Frankfurt motor show and today, she has a Facebook page dedicated to her European road trips. Her choice of car: a S1 Lotus Elise. It couldn’t be anything else.

Ferrari Enzo

Ferrari’s hypercar of 2002 followed in the tyremarks of some of Maranello’s all-time greats, including the GTO and F40. It was, even by Ferrari’s standards, a landmark car – a benchmark for others to aspire to. Little wonder it was named after the company’s founder.

Citroen Saxo Jordan

In the 1990s, lads dreamt about one thing: taking Jordan to a McDonald’s in a Citroen Saxo to enjoy a McFlurry. With this in mind, Citroen launched the Saxo VTS Jordan. Actually, we may have made this one up, but there was a Honda Civic Jordan, named after Eddie’s F1 team. But few lads dreamt of treating Eddie to a McFlurry. Moving on…

Ford Edsel

Poor Edsel Ford. Of all the cars to be named after, the late son of Henry Ford had to be associated with the ‘Disaster in Dearborn’. It could have been very different. Among the names proposed for the ill-fated Edsel, you’ll find the likes of Utopian Turtletop, Anticipator, Mongoose Civique and, wait for it, The Intelligent Whale. With the benefit of hindsight, these may have been preferable to Edsel.

TVR

The world is littered with examples of companies named after their founders – Toyota, Honda and Porsche, to name but three. But, perhaps with one eye on a future of text speak, Trevor Wilkinson abbreviated his forename to create TVR. Smart work, Tvr Wlknsn.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Giulietta name was chosen as a direct link to the Romeo in Alfa Romeo? Romeo and Giulietta – geddit? There’s a story on Jalopnik which provides just enough evidence to support the romanticised view that this may have been the case.

Renault Clio

According to Britannica.com: “In Greek mythology, [Clio was] one of the nine Muses, patron of history. Traditionally Clio, after reprimanding the goddess Aphrodite for her passionate love for Adonis, was punished by Aphrodite, who made her fall in love with Pierus, king of Macedonia. From that union, in some accounts, was born Hyacinthus, a young man of great beauty who was later killed by his lover, the god Apollo. From his blood sprang a flower (the hyacinth). In art Clio was frequently represented with the heroic trumpet and the clepsydra (water clock).” That’s as maybe, but the Renault Nicole would have been better…

Mercedes-Benz

Mercédès is a Spanish girl’s name that means grace: she was the daughter of businessman Emil Jellinek, who, in the late 1800s and, in 1900, arranged to build a new series of cars, called Daimler-Mercedes. The rest is history…

Ferrari Dino

As the first son of Enzo Ferrari, Alfredo (or Alfredino) was destined to work for the family business. Indeed, Enzo always intended for Alfredo to take the reins when the time was right. Tragically, Alfredo died of Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 24, leaving this parents devastated and heartbroken. The Dino range of race and road cars were named in his honour.

Vauxhall Adam

Would you ‘Adam and Eve’ it? Adam Opel was the founder of German car manufacturer of the same name. The Opel Adam is a small car unveiled at the Paris motor show in 2012. The name makes more sense in Germany than it does in the UK, where the car is badged as Vauxhall.

TVR Tina

Martin Lilley took charge at TVR in 1965 with the aim of rejuvenating the ailing company. The Tina was the result of his vision for a more compact and affordable TVR, and a pair of prototypes were unveiled at the 1966 Turin motor show. Tina was the daughter of Gerry Marshall, a business associate of Lilley.

Fiat 125S Samantha

The Fiat 125S Samantha is one of the prettiest and underrated coupes of the 1960s. You can thank Vignale for the flowing lines. Was it named after Samantha Jones, Vogue and Cosmopolitan cover star of the late 60s? PostWarClassic.com certainly thinks so.

Brabham BT62

Jack Brabham’s son, David’ is leading the rebirth of Brabham with the launch of the £1m BT62 supercar. But it’s not the first time the Brabham name has adorned a car…

Vauxhall Viva Brabham

“What happens when a 3-times-world-champ racing driver breathes on Britain’s most exciting 1-litre saloon?” asked the Vauxhall press ad in 1967. “Brabham Viva: sounds hot, doesn’t it?” the ad continued. Yes. Yes, it does.

Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

What does $1 million get you these days? Back in 2009, when Mercedes-Benz launched the SLR Stirling Moss, it didn’t stretch as far as a windscreen or a roof. Come back Smart Crossblade, all is forgiven.

Fiat Seicento Michael Schumacher

What is the highest honour in motorsport? Having a small car named in your honour, of course. Sadly, the Renault Clio Nigel Mansell never materialised, but the Clio Williams was a perfectly adequate alternative.

Monica

Monica was a manufacturer of luxury cars in the 1970s, headed up by Jean Tastevin, a French industrialist, whose wife just happened to be called Monique. We suspect the Santa Monica reference may have helped when they were deciding on a name over a French beer and a couple of Gitanes.

Borgward Isabella

We conclude with the Borgward Isabella, a pretty name for a very pretty car. In 2017, the company unveiled an all-electric four-door design concept under the same name. It’s not as pretty.

Read more:

• 2018 Ford Focus review: everything you need to know
• Touring car heroes to star at Silverstone Classic Sale
• New Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is a ‘brute in a suit’

Motorists say average speed cameras are a far better way of making drivers stick to the speed limit than single-location fixed cameras, new research by the RAC has revealed.

The motoring organisation surveyed 2,172 people for their views on speed cameras: 79 percent agreed average cameras are effective at making people slow down over long motorway stretches.

Less than 1 in 10 said traditional fixed cameras were effective – and four in five think they have little effect at managing speed beyond the location they’re sited at.

25 percent of motorists also think average cameras are fairer; just 7 percent of people felt fixed cameras were fair.

 “We know that some drivers can be very cynical about speed cameras, with a significant minority having told us they believe they are more about raising revenue than they are about road safety,” said RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams.

“Interestingly, these latest findings show there is now a strong acceptance that they are there to help save lives and prevent casualties on the road, although more than a third claim they are about both road safety and raising revenue.”

People say they like average speed cameras because they encourage a smoother driving style and more consistent speeds: with average cameras, they say other drivers infuriatingly tend to slam on the brakes as they drive past them.

More than half believe they’re fairer to drivers who may accidentally drift over the speed limit, then reign in their speed.

They’re effective too, says the RAC: since their introduction on a stretch of the A9 in Scotland, road deaths have halved.

“This type of use of average speed cameras, together with the constant addition of more miles of smart motorways with strictly enforced variable speed limits, may be contributing to a shift in perception in favour of regulated speed enforcement over longer stretches of road,” said Williams.

• Number of average speed cameras doubles in three years
• Revealed: the speed cameras most likely to cause a crash
• Police admit to hiding speed cameras in tractors