Tax move in offing to curb car menace

Motorists could be taxed pounds 400 - and pounds 1,000 in London - for using company-car parking spaces under plans being considered by the Government.

The charges, aimed at encouraging people to use public transport, could be imposed at offices and even shopping centres and supermarkets. Superstores would be taxed for allowing customers to park for free. John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, said his Department for Transport, Environment and the Regions had yet to finalise its proposals for inclusion in the Transport White Paper, to be published in spring, but he is known to be keen to penalise car-users.

Sir Norman Fowler, shadow environment secretary, said: "It would hit millions of people who have no alternative but to use their cars."

Supermarket war, page 7