The Treasury yesterday announced it is devolving Air Passenger Duty to Northern Ireland on the same day it defended not doing the same for Scotland.

The Scottish Parliament yesterday heard evidence from the Scottish Chamber of Commerce and Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport in favour of devolving air passenger duty to Scotland.

However the Treasury yesterday indicated that 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.

Local SNP MSP, Derek MacKay, who represents Glasgow airport and heard the calls for APD to be devolved said:

“On the same day the Treasury is defending not devolving flight tax to Scotland, it is giving this very 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.

“When Danny Alexander is busy admitting the UK doesn’t listen to Scotland devolving APD would be a sign that Scottish voices are being heard.

“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 and the Managing Director Glasgow airport saying devolving APD would ensure the importance of aviation in Scotland is properly recognised.

“Scotland relies on air transport for domestic travel with six million people flying between Scotland and London each year.

“It is time for the UK Government to stop being hypocritical and allow Scotland to have control over flight taxes, just like Northern Ireland.”

Notes:

Treasury’s Northern Ireland announcement:

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_107_11.htm

Chamber of Commerce:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/scotBill/papers-11/sbp11-06.pdf

Amanda McMillan:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/scotland/newsid_9600000/9600803.stm