For many hardworking families in Crawley, thoughts will soon turn to the summer holidays. Those who are flying will be impacted by the additional cost of Air Passenger Duty, the tax levied on flights from UK airports. I continue to call for a 50 per cent cut in this tax on holidays and trade.
New research from the A Fair Tax on Flying campaign estimates that Crawley residents have paid around £39 million in APD since it was introduced in 1994.
Back then, APD was £5 for a short haul ticket and £10 if travelling long haul. Today, APD adds £13 to a short haul economy ticket (£26 per ticket elsewhere on the plane) and £78 per ticket on a long haul economy journey (£156 per ticket elsewhere). If there are a few people travelling on a business trip or a family break, the cost can quickly add up.
While it was right for the Government a couple of years ago to exempt children from this tax, there is more to be done to support families looking to get away.
APD also has a negative effect on local and national businesses. Countries around the world, including in the EU, have either never had a tax like this or have recently abolished one. The Republic of Ireland is an example of increasing connectivity and traffic growth as a result of scrapping this kind of tax.
Reducing APD would help ease the burden on families, as well as creating more jobs, attracting inward investment and giving a boost to the economy.
With Gatwick Airport in Crawley it is important to recognise the significant economic and jobs contribution made by Britain’s aviation sector.
As Brexit gets ever closer a decisive APD tax cut would be a strong message to the world that Britain is open for business.
This is a point I have raised with the Chancellor and is one I will continue to pursue on behalf of Crawley families and businesses.
Henry Smith MP