THE number of cars in Bolton being clamped because they have not been taxed has gone up by more than 20 per cent since changes to the law were introduced.

The DVLA brought in new measures in October last year which removed the use of the paper tax disc and means that now people purchasing a new car can no longer carry over any existing tax left on the vehicle.

Anyone who has purchased a new car must now register with the DVLA immediately to get a digital tax disc.

The government body said it has publicised the changes widely but in the six months since the move was made there have been 52 more cases of cars being clamped by the DVLA's contractor NSL in Bolton for not having the correct tax compared to the six months before the changes were made.

The area with the highest increase is the BL3 post code, which includes areas such as Little Lever and Great Lever, where there have been 38 more vehicles clamped since the changes came in.

A motion was brought before Bolton Council by UKIP’s Little Lever councillor Paul Richardson last year warning of the “intended and unintended” consequences of the changes.

Cllr Richardson said he was particularly worried about second hand car traders.

He said: “The motion originally came from a small motor trader in the ward who was worried that as soon as he took ownership of a car in a part-exchange deal, it would no longer have tax on it under the new system.

“I was also concerned about the effect on motorists who are changing their cars and from these figures it looks like I was right.”

The Little Lever councillor said his request for a debate on the issue was met with “derision” from other councillors.

He added: “That annoyed me more than anything because this was a perfectly reasoned request about an important non-political issue.”

A spokesman for the DVLA said the majority of motorists continue to tax their vehicles on time.

He added: “We have had more than 28 million drivers taxing their vehicles since October 1 last year.

“The changes have been widely publicised and we write to every vehicle keeper to remind them of the new rules before the vehicle tax expires.

“We also write to every new vehicle keeper when they buy a used vehicle to inform them that they must tax the vehicle before they use it.

"In addition, if a driver does not tax their car we will send a warning letter to remind them to tax as they are at risk of enforcement action.”