Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts

Tuesday 26th January 2021 Commons Chamber

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

When he plans to conclude his consultation on air passenger duty.

[The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Kemi Badenoch)]

The consultation on aviation tax reform has been delayed in recognition of the unprecedented circumstances that the aviation industry is currently facing. However, I will update hon. Members on the timing of the consultation in due course.

[Henry Smith [V]]

The United Kingdom charges the highest air passenger duty of any country in the developed world. Now that we have left the EU, domestic air passenger duty is something that we can alter. As we seek to recover from the covid-19 pandemic and take the advantages of a global Britain, can we have an early review of this tax, which is a pressure on our industry?

[Kemi Badenoch]

The Government recognise the important role that the aviation sector plays in the UK economy. The sector can draw on the wide range of support measures available, including the recently announced airport and ground operations support scheme, which will provide eligible firms with support of up to £8 million per claimant. However, I reassure my hon. Friend that we remain committed to delivering the consultation, and will look to proceed once the challenging circumstances that the sector is currently facing have eased.