22 November 2010
Dr Daniel Poulter (Conservative, Central Suffolk and North Ipswich): To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will take into account whether destinations for flights have low carbon economies, in his proposals for changes to levels of air passenger duty;
(2) what assessment he has made of the likely effects of changes to air passenger duty on people with family links to the Caribbean;
(3) what assessment he has made of the likely effects of increases in the level of air passenger duty on (a) the number of airline routes operating from the UK and (b) the level of carbon dioxide emissions from such flights;
(4) if he will bring forward proposals for higher rates of air passenger duty for short haul flights within Europe.
Justine Greening (Conservative, Economic Secretary to the Treasury): The existing rates of APD were set and legislated for by the previous Government. An impact assessment was published at:
– http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/apd-reform-ia.pdf
The June Budget stated that the Government will explore changes to the aviation tax system, including switching from a per-passenger to a per-plane duty. Major changes will be subject to consultation.
Sourced from Dehavilland: www1.Dehavilland.co.uk