Air tax hikes in turbulence

Chancellor George Osborne is under pressure to reconsider a controversial “double whammy” of tax increases for air travellers.

The UK Government plans a double-inflation rise in Air Passenger Duty next year, when passengers will also have to pay more for flights due to the UK joining the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme.

Edinburgh-based Labour peer Lord Foulkes and Linlithgow MP Michael Connarty are among 20 politicians who have signed a letter to Mr Osborne, arguing the moves will mean a significant rise in the cost of flying abroad when many ordinary families are already under severe financial pressure.

They said: “The UK’s uniquely high level of taxation is already eight-and-a-half times more than anywhere else in Europe.”