CHURCH CONDEMNS AVIATION TAX PROPOSALS

The Church of Scotland’s climate change officer has condemned the Scottish Government’s proposalto cut Air Departure Tax.

Adrian Shaw said the proposals were inconsistent with Government commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Government wishes to cut the tax, which is set to be devolved from Westminster, by 50% before eventually abolishing it entirely. The Bill’s first stage was passed by MSPs on April25, approving the principle of devolving the tax but not including details of rates and bands.

Mr Shaw said: “We are particularly disappointed because in other ways the Scottish Government is leading the rest of the UK in responding to climate change.

“The proposals to cut air passenger duty seem regressive by comparison.

“As a way to tackle poverty it is difficult to see how this tax cut would have any real benefits other than a possible boost in employment within the Scottish tourism industry or other sectors of the economy.

“Evidence for this comes primarily from the aviation industry which cannot be treated as impartial.

“There is also a very realrisk that cheaper air fares within the UK would lead to a diversion of traffic from rail, which has much lower carbon emissions.”