Press Releases Official press releases from FlyingMatters

A new survey conducted in the ten most diverse constituencies in Britain, the majority held by Labour, has revealed that the hikes in flight tax will hit the poorest and ethnic minorities hardest.

Over 60 % of those in the lowest social bands and two thirds of ethnic minorities said that the rises which came into force last November will impact on how often they visit their family abroad, compared to just over half of the general population (55%).

Those on the lowest incomes and ethnic minorities were also more likely to be fearful that the tax will affect how often their relatives come to visit them in Britain (61 % of people in the DE social group compared to 52 % of those in the AB category; and 70 % of ethnic minorities compared to 60% of the general population).

The research shows how the further away people’s relatives live the more likely the tax is to impact how often they and their families are able to visit each other.

The survey, carried out by Populus for FlyingMatters, the national campaign for flying, also reveals that two thirds of the population are concerned about the impact of further rises in the flight tax after those planned for November this year. This rises to three quarters of ethnic minorities.

A family of four travelling to the furthest destinations will pay £220 in Air Passenger Duty this year, compared to £160 prior to the rise. This will go up to £340 in November this year. This comes on top of the doubling of Air Passenger Duty in February 2007.

Over half of the population (56 %) in the seats polled have relatives abroad compared to nearly three quarters of ethnic minorities (74 %).

The survey shows how the poorest and ethnic minorities are feeling the rises in the general cost of living more than others. Just over half of people (53 %) in the constituencies polled feel that they are spending more in all areas of their lives compared to a year ago, whilst 57 % of ethnic minorities and 58 % of in one of the lowest income brackets agreed this was the case.

Nearly two thirds (65 %) of ethnic minorities were more likely than the general population (58 %) to say they would consider cutting back on other holidays so that they could still afford to see their family. They were also more likely to cut back on ‘little luxuries’ (62 % compared to 57 % of the general population) and to cut back on going out/socialising (61 % compared to 52 % of the general population).

Worryingly, 3 in 10 people (31 %) said they would cut back on groceries and more than a third said they would cut back on heating and home energy costs. Those on the lowest incomes and ethnic minorities were slightly more likely to say they would cut back on these things.

Just over half the population (56 %) said they would consider trying to find a higher paid job so that they could continue to afford to see their family abroad, whilst more than two thirds (68 %) of ethnic minorities said they would consider this. This was followed by working longer hours (59% of ethnic minorities and 51 % of the general population agreed they would consider this option).

Commenting on the findings, Brian Wilson, Chairman of FlyingMatters, said:

“In these constituencies well over half the population have relatives living abroad. The increases in flight tax will hit these people hard with poorer families and ethnic minorities suffering most. It is a deeply regressive tax.

“Many of these people are being taxed out of the right to visit their loved ones. This is deeply unfair and politically insensitive.”

Notes for Editors

The survey was commissioned by FlyingMatters and conducted by Populus (www.populus.co.uk). Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Populus interviewed 3000 adults in Britain’s 10 most ethnically and religiously diverse Parliamentary Constituencies as defined following the 2007 Boundary Commission adjustments. Interviews were conducted by telephone between November 6th and 15th 2009.

The constituencies polled were:

Detailed results from the survey are available from FlyingMatters and will be published on the Populus website.

The UK levies a tax on all departing flights called Air Passenger Duty. This tax will be restructured and increased in November 2009 and again in November 2010. Destinations will be categorised into four geographical bands based on distance from London to the capital city of the destination country/territory. Each band will have two rates, one for standard class of travel and one for other classes of travel. For example, the furthest band D will go up from £40 currently to £55 in 2009 and £85 in 2010.

The full details are set out in a Treasury note which can be found here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2008/pbrn20.pdf

FlyingMatters, the national campaign for flying, is a broad coalition of organisations which support the sustainable growth of aviation including trade unions, business, tourism organisations and farmers in the developing world as well as airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air traffic control. Further information and a full list of members can be found at www.flyingmatters.org.uk

Rt Hon Brian Wilson is a former Member of Parliament and Government Minister, having held several Ministerial posts during his time in Parliament. A short biography can be found at www.flyingmatters.org.uk/about/