Potential cut to air passenger duty

[Horizon22]

Not sure which forum this was best raised in, but seeing as it is Coronavirus related I plonked for here - feel free to move if required. With this potential cut, fuel duty frozen and rail fares increasing, it somewhat emphasises where the transport ambitions are currently going. Interesting it's part of the "union connectivty review" that is being led by Sir Peter Hendy, Chair of Network Rail so perhaps there will be additional rail benefits, but I am doubtful.

Johnson backs cut in air passenger duty to aid UK domestic flights | Financial Times

Recommendation to form part of wider Hendy review of national transport links out on Wednesday

www.ft.com

Boris Johnson is set to authorise a cut in the levy paid by airlines for domestic flights to help revive the beleaguered industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The prime minister will announce a review of air passenger duty with a view to halving the current level, according to senior Whitehall figures.
The recommendation will form part of a wider Union Connectivity Review by Sir Peter Hendy, the chairman of Network Rail, to be published on Wednesday, proposing a new “UK Strategic Transport Network” to oversee British transport priorities

 

[XAM2175]

I'm neither enthused nor surprised.

Interesting it's part of the "union connectivty review" that is being led by Sir Peter Hendy, Chair of Network Rail so perhaps there will be additional rail benefits, but I am doubtful.

To properly set expectations, that's the same "review" that includes the Cairnryan-Larne Fixed Link - the "Boris Bore", as I've taken to calling it.

 

[Cdd89]

So cutting APD on flights that are readily replaced by rail, but increasing it on long-haul flights where there is absolutely no other option? Makes sense...

 

[Horizon22]

Grant Shapps is on the BBC blubbering on about this review and the Scotland - NI link today and not making much sense...

 

[30907]

Also a thread here:

Union Connectivity Interim Report

Shapps has published his report improving transport connectivity between the UK nations https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/union-connectivity-review-interim-report Somewhat surprising to see Shapps saying in his statement launching it The consultation will include options to change...

www.railforums.co.uk

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/union-connectivity-interim-report.214995/

The APD thing is specifically "where rail is not a realistic alternative" and the report also states that a fixed link to NI was added to the remit.

 

[Mag_seven]

Please continue the discussion on the main "Union Connectivity Thread" as highlighted by @30907 above.

Thanks