New APD campaign takes off

Entitled “A Fair Tax on Flying for the Whole Country”, the campaign is calling for the UK government to cut APD by at least half the current levels across all of the UK.

It said APD should be “applied fairly and consistently throughout the UK”.

It added that MPs from across the political divide were “vigorously” lobbying ministers by tabling Parliamentary questions, signing a Commons motion, and sending letters to the Chancellor, urging the government “to dramatically cut APD in March’s budget”.

It said the industry had recently met with 10 supportive MPs to discuss the issue in further detail, and that 20 MPs had signed a House of Commons Early Day Motion.

The Scottish Government has pledged to cut APD by 50%, with a view to subsequently abolishing it altogether, from 2018 to boost tourism and business travel in Scotland.

Speaking on behalf of the campaign, Abta head of public affairs Stephen D’Alfonso, said: “APD is among the highest taxes of its kind anywhere in the world, and at its current level, it is unfair on families and business across the UK.

“The Prime Minister and the Chancellor committed in the General Election campaign to ensuring that cities and regions would not lose out as a result of devolution, and it is clear that inconsistent rates of APD across the UK will put some at a real disadvantage.

“Surely the Government does not consider it fair for a family from Falmouth to pay double the amount of APD on their summer holiday as a family from Falkirk, and for a small electronic components business from Glasgow trading with China to pay half as much APD as a similar business from Grimsby? APD should not be a postcode lottery.

“No matter where in the UK you live, you pay the same amount of tax when you buy a pint or go out for a meal – why should APD be any different?”