The Socialist group in the Tenerife Cabildo has announced the presentation of an amendment against the introduction of a surcharge of up to two pence per litre of fuel refilled on the island, which the governing group (CC and PP) wishes to approve in the upcoming insular plenary session on Thursday. This is known as the “forest penny”, with the revenue intended for environmental policies.
The amendment proposes “the complete withdrawal of this new tax as it is deemed unfair, unnecessary, and detrimental to the island’s economy,” as stated in a communiqué by the Socialist spokesperson, Aarón Afonso.
According to the PSOE, the insular government plans to charge up to two pence per litre of fuel starting in October (with exceptions for professional drivers and transporters), with an expected revenue of 10.5 million euros annually. However, the Socialists argue that “this new tax is unjustified by either budgetary necessity or fiscal justice criteria.”
Instead of introducing new taxes, the Cabildo should implement what is already budgeted, given that it has failed to execute 365 million euros over two years, Afonso has stated.
The PSOE maintains there are “fairer and more effective” alternatives, such as the proposed tourist eco-tax in the Parliament of the Canary Islands, “which taxes non-residents rather than the local population.”
“It is inconsistent for CC and PP to have voted against that measure in the Cabildo and now propose that residents bear the cost of protecting the environment,” the Socialist group laments.
“The forest penny, far from solving the island’s problems, tightens the noose around those who live further away, do not have affordable housing, endure long queues, and now, additionally, will have to pay more to get around,” the Socialists assert.
