Jamaica said today that it remains hopeful that the British government will amend the controversial Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax when the Chancellor of the Exchequer makes his budget statement on March 23.
“The UK government said that it will consult on any major changes to APD. It is my hope that on March 23 a change to the current structure is proposed and that all interested parties will then have the opportunity to consult on the proposed changes. It would be great to see a revised system that affords fair treatment to all countries implemented as soon as possible,” a statement from the Ministry of Tourism quoted Tourism Minister as saying.
Bartlett has welcomed recent comments made by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Justine Greening,
Greening, speaking in an adjournment debate on APD and the Caribbean on January 20, said that the London recognised the importance of the “strong ties” that exist between the UK and the Caribbean countries.
Since the announcement of the revised APD system in 2008, Caribbean governments, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the UK-Caribbean Diaspora have been campaigning against the discriminatory nature of the four-band system.
Last November, the Barbados-based CTO said it had proposed reforming the controversial APD with Britain charging one rate for flights within Europe and another for long-haul journeys.
Before November 1 last year, each economy class traveller to the Caribbean paid £50 (US$77) in APD, but that tax was increased to £75 (US $115) – the second in as many years. The levy for premium economy, business and first class passengers rose from £100 (US$154) to £150 (US$291).
“The Minister of Tourism recognized the valuable support provided by British parliamentarians in both Houses, in particular through the British Caribbean All Party Parliamentary Group chaired by Diane Abbott MP,” the release from the Ministry of Tourism said.
“Mr Bartlett also said that he was delighted that the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association had taken the issue up with the UK Government and to hear that the chairman of the CPA UK Executive Committee, Sit Alan Haselhurst MP, has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about APD and the Caribbean.”
Bartlett said that the the Jamaican Diaspora has been lobbying their constituency MPs to ensure that their concerns were well represented in parliament.
“He said he has been told by community activists that they are ramping up their campaign so that there can be no mistake about the strength of feeling in the Caribbean community,” the statement added.
Last month, Prime Minister Bruce Golding told a conference here that while he could not speak for Caribbean countries on the matter and while it would be premature to speak on the position that the Government of Jamaica will take, there is no option that is off the table.
‘We are going to secure justice in this matter one way or the other,” Golding said.
