Today’s reshuffle of ministers at the Treasury and the Department for Transport provides an ideal opportunity for the government to look again its stance on Air Passenger Duty, claims the Fair Tax on Flying campaign.
Key ministerial changes include Sajid Javid becoming financial secretary to the Treasury, Nicky Morgan as economic secretary to the Treasury, Baroness Susan Kramer as minister of state at the DfT and Robert Goodwill as parliamentary undersecretary at the DfT.
Stephen D’Alfonso, head of Public Affairs at Abta, said: “It is important to note that reshuffles don’t just move people, they often shift policies too.
“A new minister responsible for aviation taxes means the government has a chance to look again at its refusal to undertake a proper review of the impacts of Air Passenger Duty.”
Darren Caplan, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said: “So far the Treasury has refused to act on the clear need to cut the current eye-wateringly high levels of APD, the highest aviation tax in the world.
“We wish the new Treasury ministers well in their new roles, and call on them to re-evaluate the Treasury’s stance on APD and reform the tax, which is stifling economic growth.
“We look forward to working closely with the new Treasury team to help ensure the government is aware of all the facts about APD, and that it listens to the recent call by over 100 MPs for a review of APD, something for which A Fair Tax on Flying has been calling for a long time.”
More than 300,000 people wrote to their MP or the Chancellor calling for a review of APD last year. Javid received 261 emails from constituents, Morgan received 190 and Goodwill received 135, according to the campaign group.