Scottish Government’s air tax cut is “as good as dead”
Scottish Greens Parliamentary Co-Leader and Finance Spokesperson Patrick Harvie MSP has predicted that the Scottish Government will be forced to scrap its misguided air tax proposals in the wake of growing acceptance of the climate emergency.
The First Minister was given three opportunities to defend the damaging policy or finally drop it at FMQs on Thursday, notably from Mr Harvie’s colleague Alison Johnstone MSP, but on each occasion Nicola Sturgeon would only say that all Government policies will be reviewed.
The Scottish Greens have led the case against the aviation tax cut plan since it was first proposed, and have made it clear that they will never back a government budget which implements this ill thought through tax giveaway for wealthy frequent flyers.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
“It is growing clear that the Scottish Government knows that this ill thought out air tax cut proposal will never fly, and is only waiting for the right time to finally send it to the policy scrapyard. The Greens have been clear from the outset that this unfair and environmentally damaging plan would only give tax cuts to wealthy frequent flyers ahead of everyday transport like buses, trains and the investment our pavements and streets need.
“If the First Minister’s climate emergency declaration is to mean anything, she must show that she is willing to change course. At FMQs my colleague Alison Johnstone gave the First Minister the opportunity to rule out this nonsensical policy immediately, but she refused to do so. Let’s not waste time on this – let’s turn a delay into a cancellation, and then get on and invest in the cheaper, greener and healthier transport system Scotland needs.”