MoT tests to be every two years

By JOE MURPHY
Updated:

 

Gordon Brown today gave business chiefs his clearest 'mission statement' yet by pledging to slash red tape, including the annual MoT test.

He gave a strong hint that motorists will in future only need to put their cars in for £50.35 MoTs once every two years.

Such a move would save motorists and firms about £465m per year in test fees on the 22 million vehicles tested annually.

The proposal emerged in a speech to the CBI that paraded Mr Brown as a reforming pro- market Chancellor ready to lead GB Plc as the next Prime Minister.

'My passion is that our country, Britain, be the great global success story of this century,' he said.

'As you know, every company that is successful has a clear mission. It's the same for our country. We must also have a mission, strong sense of direction, clear and ambitious objectives.'

Mr Brown spoke of 'the destiny of Britain' being forged in the globalised economy and said he would be dedicated to free trade and light regulation.

Exploiting resentment of David Cameron's criticisms of some firms, he praised CBI members for their commitment to corporate social responsibility.

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He also welcomed a Treasury report calling for the scrapping of 'gold plating' of European Union directives in areas such as MoT tests, where UK law goes much further than EU requirements.

Treasury sources made clear that there will be no rush to cut back the number of tests. One said: 'We are going to proceed carefully so as not to impact badly on safety or on the livelihood of garages.'

Red tape covering records of animal experiments would be cut and consumers rights to return faulty goods simplified as EU and domestic law laid down separate rules.

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