In 1712, Britain imposed a tax on newspapers. This was, however, increased in 1815 to 4d (four pences), but at this time the average person could not afford the new 6d or 7d prices on newspapers, keeping journals circulating only with those with high salaries. Those that continued to sell their papers without paying this tax would be fined, and it would spark a fight to reduce the tax in 1836 until it was finally abolished in 1855.