Success in campaign to bring down road tax on motorhomes and campervans

A passionate bid was launched by MPs and industry groups when it was announced that new motorhomes and campervans registered since September 1 were classed in the same category of cars, increasing the duty payable by 705 per cent - from £265 to £2,135, after being caught in legislation aimed to encourage lower emissions.

But the Budget today revealed they would now be classed as vans, bringing the duty owed down.

Hull West and Hessle MP, Labour’s Emma Hardy, said it was “a victory for common sense”.

While Hull East Labour MP Karl Turner added: “This is a big win for our campaign. Jobs in East Hull will be protected as a result of this announcement. Credit is due to everyone in ensuring the Government changed course on this issue.”

Previously it was claimed the rise would have a “disastrous” impact on the motorhome manufacturing industry - much of which is based in Yorkshire - with the the National Caravan Council (NCC) finding 80 per cent of manufacturers were expecting “significantly lower sales in the next 12 months” due to the changes.

The National Caravan Council’s Director General John Lally thanked Rishi Sunak and the 85 MPs who supported their campaign.