Latest Press Releases
| AIR DUTY DEVOLUTION MUST COME TO SCOTLAND |
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| Thursday, 06 October 2011 14:22 |
 Moray’s MP Angus Robertson has re-iterated the importance of devolving Air Passenger Duty (APD) to Scotland after the Treasury announced it was doing so for Northern Ireland on the same day it defended not doing the same for Scotland.The local Moray MP says that to maximise Moray’s potential the Scottish Parliament must have control of key measures, including APD. Moray businesses rely on good connections to sell products to the world and to get visitors into the region through Aberdeen and Inverness Airports. In the Scottish Parliament the Scottish Chamber of Commerce and the Managing Director of Glasgow Airport have both given evidence to committee in favour of the move. However the Treasury is continuing to state there would be no changes to the tax powers in the Scotland Bill – despite Air Passenger Duty being recommended for devolution by the Calman Commission. Angus Robertson MP said: “ The devolution Air Passenger Duty could give significant benefit to the Moray economy. It is essential that the application of a range of tax powers takes proper account of the different Scottish economic situation and that can only happen through devolution of that power in the Scotland Bill. “ It is ridiculous that on the same day the Treasury defended not devolving Air Passenger Duty to Scotland, it gave the very same power to Northern Ireland. “ This is blatantly hypocritical from the UK Government. The Calman Commisison said APD should be devolved – but instead Westminster left it out the Scotland Bill. “ Support is growing with the Scottish Chamber of Commerce saying it believes air passenger duty should be devolved to bring more visitors to Scotland and bolster international connectivity. “ Moray would be well placed to gain benefit from such a move, given the range of internationally recognised brands that are produced here and the drive to boost our tourism sector. “ It is time for the UK Government to stop being hypocritical and allow Scotland to have control over flight taxes, just like Northern Ireland.” |
