Darling takes the easy approach

Comment by Jeremy Skidmore (www.jeremyskidmore.com)

Alistair Darling’s first – and many hope his last – budget gave the travel industry the predictable kick in the teeth that we all knew was coming.

We’re getting an extra 10% on plane duty in the second year of the new per-flight tax regime, which will replace air passenger duty.

I haven’t got a clue how that will work and neither have the Government, but I do know that it’s got very little to do with the environment.

The huge drive to become environmentally responsible is the greatest gift any Government could have. Under the pretence of being green, they can raise vast sums of cash and then simply use it as they wish; there is no ring-fencing of money for environmental projects.

The hypocrisy is stunning. One the one hand there is backing for airport expansion, on the other supposed green taxes on those who are flying. That’s joined-up government for you.

Mind you, at least new measures at Heathrow and other airports, using biometric technology, will speed up the time it takes to get through security checks. That’s handy, it should encourage more people to travel. Confused about government policy? You’re not the only one.

Unfortunately, the greatest lobbyists are not in the travel industry. As one reader pointed out, the Government probably won’t take any notice of a company called Cheapflights. It’s a fantastic name to pull in the punters and a good business, but perhaps doesn’t give you the strongest case for arguing that flights are expensive.

Elsewhere, there is little sympathy for those who jet off at the drop of a hat, among people who are struggling to pay their mortgage. The Government knows this and will also be well aware of surveys that show steep rises in air passenger duty, or flight taxes, are unlikely to deter travellers. Darling can sit back in the knowledge that many millions will pay the tax while at the same time he has shown his green credentials.

Elsewhere, just a day after it was revealed that government ministers take chauffeur-driven cars for a mere 150 yards, there are proposals for a showroom tax on certain vehicles, which is little more than a crude sales tax on those that can afford it. Surely, no-one believes that is going to help the environment.

Oh well, I’m off for a pint to drown my sorrows – it’s only up 4p, which is a result for this government.