British hit by tax rise

The British Budget, which was released on Wednesday, did not contain much in the way of good news for families hoping to travel by airplane.
According to The Times newspaper, taxes on air fares will more than double after the Government pressed ahead with plans to increase air passenger duty (APD).
It said: "Despite complaints from the beleaguered travel industry, the taxes on all flights will increase sharply for the second time in two years. The increases, which were mooted in the PreBudget Report last year, will penalise long-haul flights and premium tickets most heavily."The tax on a single economy flight to Australia will increase from £40 to £85 by the end of next year. This is a quadrupling of the rate since 2007, when the duty was only £20. A family of four going on holiday to Florida will pay £480 in taxes for return economy tickets from next year. This rises to £960 if they travel in premium economy, business or first class."Travel companies reacted angrily to the increases, which they claim will endanger jobs in the industry. Dermot Blastland, managing director of Thomson Holidays, Britain’s largest tour operator, said: “We find it outrageous that despite clear briefings explaining why this tax is unfair and unjust, the Government continues to carry on regardless.”
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