MPs tell Chancellor Philip Hammond to axe the hated Air Passenger Duty tax
The UK has the highest air travel tax in the world, adding as much as 10% to air fares on long-haul flights
HATED Air Passenger Duty (APD) should be abolished by the Chancellor in his first mini-Budget next week, MPs demand today.
The UK has the highest air travel tax in the world, adding as much as 10% to air fares on long-haul flights.
A cross-party group of MPs has called on Philip Hammond scrap it completely, because Brits will need as much help as possible to develop trade links with the rest of the world after we leave the EU.
The 20% drop in the pound since the EU referendum has also made it even more expensive and hit lower-wage workers’ ability to take families on foreign holidays.
Abolishing APD would save a family of four £52 when taking a short-haul trip to Europe.
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The call is being made by the Commons’ British Infrastructure Group, lead by former Tory party chairman Grant Shapps.
It had already gained the backing of 50 MPs.
Mr Shapps said: “This is a very straight forward way for the Chancellor to save holidaymakers some cash and give business a boost after Brexit at the same time.
What is Air Passenger Duty and how can I avoid paying it?
“He should act to cut APD by 50% in the Autumn Statement and then gradually reduce the remainder over time.”
Mr Hammond is drawing up measures to try to ease the burden on struggling Brits, dubbed by Theresa may two months ago as the ‘just about managing’.
The Airport Operators Association also called on the Government to slash APD to demonstrate that the UK is open for business.
It is three times higher than its equivalent levy in France and four times that in Germany.
Ireland abolished its air tax entirely in 2014.
Treasury aides last night warned the Chancellor has little spare money to play with once the short-term uncertainties of Brexit hit the economy.
It emerged that the Chancellor is likely to reveal grim new forecasts for state coffers drawn up by the Treasury’s independent forecasters.
A slump in tax takings and less growth because of Brexit worries will mean a £100bn hole his finances by 2020.