Reform UK has pledged to abolish air passenger duty (APD) on short-haul flights for families travelling with children if it wins the next election. Robert Jenrick, the party's Treasury spokesman, branded APD a 'family holiday tax', telling a press conference near Heathrow Airport that Reform's policy would save families £45 on international flights or £48 for domestic flights.
Reform leader Nigel Farage described the policy as a 'Brexit benefit'. He denied the move would largely benefit those who are better-off and take more flights, saying it would be 'equitable and fair in every way'. APD rates, which are based on the length of the flight and the class of cabin, will increase from Wednesday.
Passengers travelling in economy will be charged £8 for a domestic flight and £15 for a short-haul flight, up to 2,000 miles. Mr Jenrick, who defected from the Conservative Party earlier this year, described the £15 rate as 'insane' as it represented 'a rate of tax of 33% on Ryanair's average ticket price'.
Speaking on Tuesday, he said: 'In our first budget, we will get rid of the family holiday tax. Air passenger duty will be gone for short-haul family trips, that will save a family on average £45 on their flights, whether that's abroad, or £48 if they're going on holiday here in the UK.' He added that the policy would apply to any holiday booked for an adult travelling with those under the age of 18, including grandparents, uncles, aunts, and school trips.
A Labour Party spokesperson criticised the announcement, saying: 'Nigel Farage has constantly jetted off around the world since becoming an MP, bagging hundreds of thousands of pounds for himself in the process. Reform are not on your side.' Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride added: 'Before coming out with yet more half-baked announcements, Reform should explain the vast £10.5 billion black hole in their pubs 'plan'. A Reform government would be an economic catastrophe.'
