BRITAIN’s builders, electricians, and farmers are set to be hit hard by a stealth tax bombshell buried in the Budget.
A new rule will soon classify double-cab pickups – the workhorses of tradespeople – as company cars for tax purposes.
This change, effective April 2025, could increase the tax burden on a typical double-cab pickup by as much as 211 per cent, according to analysis by the Countryside Alliance.
This is because, for the purposes of capital allowances, benefits in kind (BIK) and some deductions from business profits, these vehicles will no longer be treated as essential tools of the trade.
The campaigning group says a typical Nissan Navara Tekna, priced at £33,265 and emitting 167g/km of CO2, will see its BIK rise from £3,960 to £12,308.
And the BIK on private fuel benefits will also soar from £757 to £10,286, leading to even higher costs for workers.
But they argue it is self-employed tradespeople who will face the biggest blow, as they can only deduct 6 per cent of their vehicle’s cost in the first year, slashing potential tax savings from over £9,600 to just £578.84.
Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance Tim Bonner blasted: “Rachel Reeves’ pick up truck tax will hammer thousands of working people in the countryside and beyond.
“From farmers and gamekeepers to plumbers and builders the twin cab pickup has become the country’s favourite workhorse.
“The decision to reclassify them as cars will hit working people hard.”
A Tory spokesman also ripped into the decision, saying: “This Budget of broken promises clearly knows no limits.
“Across the board working people will pay the price for Rachel Reeves brutal tax raids, and it seems no one is safe.
“Punishing the hardworking people that keep our country moving is just the latest in a list of Labour’s betrayals, and will not be forgiven.”
A Treasury spokesperson said: “We have ensured that tax savings can still be made on purchases of single cab pick-ups, and fuel duty has been frozen for an extra year, saving £126 for van drivers and protecting motorists at the pump.”
