- Conference
- 2011 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 9 August 2010
- Decision
- Carried
In November 2009 Conference notes that this Government introduced a two – phase increase to Air Passenger Duty (APD) Tax – the next increase is planned for November 2010. APD falls into four band, with passengers being charged according to how far they fly. The increases will hit the medium and long haul travellers the hardest. For example a family of four travelling to the Caribbean, South Africa, Kenya or Thailand will pay £300 in APD, whilst those families planning to travel to places such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia will pay £340 – which is more than double the rate of £40 per passenger pre November 2009.
This Government purports that this additional taxation on air travel is a ‘Green Tax’. However, there is no evidence to show that this additional income will be used to support green initiatives rather than just adding to the general taxation burden. Without this there can be no “green” justification for these additional taxes and in any event many of the countries affected are amongst the world’s lowest carbon emission producers.
Notwithstanding the environmental issues, this Conference is seriously concerned about the disproportionate, adverse and discriminatory impact APD will have on many of UNISON’s black members who regularly travel to visit family and relatives in the affected countries. Many of our black members are amongst the lowest paid workers in Britain and can ill afford this additional cost in order to maintain their family and cultural links.
Conference is also concerned that APD will make many people think twice about medium and long haul travel, which will have an adverse impact on the much needed and relied upon tourist economies in those countries and also in Britain, with foreign visitors, our members’ relatives perhaps, forced to pay APD on the return leg of their journey.
With these concerns in mind, Conference instructs the National Black Members Committee (NBMC) to take the following action:
1.To mount and lead a campaign against the contribution of this blatant discriminatory tax.
2.To liaise and work closely with Labour Link to apply political pressure on the Government to put an end to this taxation.
3.To increase awareness and involvement within all sections of UNISON about this discriminatory tax and the campaign to end it.
4.To carry out other awareness activities within local communities, the media and other appropriate audiences to put further pressure on the Government to end this taxation.