Tim Loughton MP is backing a campaign calling for the Chancellor George Osborne to slash Air Passenger Duty (APD) to at least half the current levels across all of the UK in tomorrows’ Budget.
The campaign being backed by Tim Loughton, A Fair Tax on Flying for the Whole Country, iscalling for the UK Government to guarantee APD will be applied fairly and consistently throughout the UK, to ensure that families in one part of the country are not having to pay more tax to enjoy an annual holiday than those in other parts of the country.
MPs from across the political divide are vigorously campaigning on the issue by tabling Parliamentary questions, signing a Commons motion, and sending letters to the Chancellor – urging the Government to dramatically cut APD in tomorrow’s Budget. Tim Loughton’s support for the campaign has included signing an open letter to the Chancellor on the issue of APD that was signed by 10 other Conservative MPs.
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. The campaign welcomes the Scottish Government’s recognition that APD is a damaging tax, but are calling for any reduction of APD in Scotland to be met with reductions elsewhere in the UK to ensure a lower, fairer APD for the whole country so that constituents in East Worthing and Shoreham don’t have to pay more than those in Scotland.
Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said:
“It’s clearly unfair that families in my constituency will have to pay twice as much Air Passenger Duty to go on holiday as families in Scotland. That’s why I’m asking the Chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to address this issue – Air Passenger Duty shouldn’t be a postcode lottery.”
Tim Neal from the Fair Tax on Flying campaign said:
“We are delighted to have the support of so many MPs including Tim Loughton. This is an issue that will significantly affect his constituents, and with Scotland set to cut APD, his support is more important now than ever.”