Labour attacks long-haul airlines

sturll

Voyager2002 wrote: »

And those figures are, what, one night in a hotel room? A day-pass to Disney? A tiny proportion of the total cost of the holiday.

I'm sorry but im not about to get into a discussion of whether a 425% increase in APD over 3 years is justifiable or not. Most people will see it is wholly unacceptable.

For me it proves that Gordon Brown is completely out of touch with the British Public. He drops VAT 2.5% the raises APD 100% on the same day.

Voyager2002

sturll wrote: »

I'm sorry but im not about to get into a discussion of whether a 425% increase in APD over 3 years is justifiable or not. Most people will see it is wholly unacceptable.

For me it proves that Gordon Brown is completely out of touch with the British Public. He drops VAT 2.5% the raises APD 100% on the same day.

As a matter of arithmetic, a 425 per cent increase in something small still leaves it as something that is not very large.

More fundamentally, the object of these changes was to stimulate the British economy. If the APD leads anyone to change their holiday plans and visit somewhere in this country rather than going abroad, it will have achieved its purpose admirably.

There are plenty of things that I need on which I pay VAT. While I love long-haul travel, it is not something that I need. And there is a serious argument to be made that air fares are too low.

And by the way, it is Alastair Darling who runs the economy now.

Bennifred

Voyager2002 wrote: »

If this (modest) level of tax is a problem for you, you obviously can't afford to go on holiday.........
.

That's right! We can't. :mad:
It may be a modest level of tax to you, but I've been saving up for years to take my family of five to visit my elderly Dad, who lives in Australia and I haven't seen for nine years, and it just gets further and further out of reach:mad: The additional tax may well be a small fraction of the total cost, but when every penny counts..............

sturll

Voyager2002 wrote: »

As a matter of arithmetic, a 425 per cent increase in something small still leaves it as something that is not very large.

More fundamentally, the object of these changes was to stimulate the British economy. If the APD leads anyone to change their holiday plans and visit somewhere in this country rather than going abroad, it will have achieved its purpose admirably.

There are plenty of things that I need on which I pay VAT. While I love long-haul travel, it is not something that I need. And there is a serious argument to be made that air fares are too low.

And by the way, it is Alastair Darling who runs the economy now.

You make some good points there Voyager (except for the patronising part about Alistair Darling)

But using your theory is akin to saying people are being encouraged forcibly (by pricing them out) to holiday in this country. People go to work and should be able to enjoy their money, we are all feeling the pinch in one way or another so for many people already a long haul holiday is beyond their reach but now even more so.

I admit, mathematics has never been my strong point, but it surely doesn't take Pythagoras to realise that 3 years ago something that was £80 is now £360 is outrageous.
Personally i dont buy the whole Global Warming tax thing, but what started off as a few quid to help the environment has now become a huge factor in determining ones holidays plans - and this is exactly my point regarding taxes, this government simply does not know when to stop.

The reality is - like most other extortionate taxes - people will simply have to pay it or not holiday long haul.

Moonchild

Bennifred wrote: »

That's right! We can't. :mad:
It may be a modest level of tax to you, but I've been saving up for years to take my family of five to visit my elderly Dad, who lives in Australia and I haven't seen for nine years, and it just gets further and further out of reach:mad: The additional tax may well be a small fraction of the total cost, but when every penny counts..............

In the last month we've seen Qantas run 2 for 1s to Oz (less than £500 per person), and now with Air Asia X linking the UK to Oz for about £500 per person some flight prices are equivalent or lower to what they were years and years ago. I doubt the entirety of this increase will be passed on as competition is too stiff.

I fully expect that you'll get similar prices (if you are flexible) one year, two years from now so wouldn't really worry about this.

blindman

Voyager2002 wrote: »

How many "big businesses" are going to have trouble paying an extra 85 pounds?

They do have accountants who weigh up the costs of travel etc. and who will be deterred from doing business in the UK.

Precisely how does a measure that deters some people from going away and spending money in other economies limit the stimulus to our economy?

The (UK) airline goes bust?


And the government does not have "pockets":
Walls don't have ears either :rolleyes:


it collects money to pay for services that we all need.
APD is a tax ON a service we need The proceeds of which do NOT go to "Green" issues

I have experienced what life is like in "failed states", where there is minimal tax but you have to provide basic services for yourself, and it is not a good idea.

There are plenty of things that I need on which I pay VAT

Enjoy the 2.5p savings in every pound IF it gets past on

Bennifred

Moonchild wrote: »

In the last month we've seen Qantas run 2 for 1s to Oz (less than £500 per person), and now with Air Asia X linking the UK to Oz for about £500 per person some flight prices are equivalent or lower to what they were years and years ago. I doubt the entirety of this increase will be passed on as competition is too stiff.

I fully expect that you'll get similar prices (if you are flexible) one year, two years from now so wouldn't really worry about this.

Thanks for the comforting words - hope you're right!:D Our flexibility is reduced by having to use the school holidays - I work in a school, and the three offspring are all in full-time education. OH is limited by having to book annual leave 12-18 months in advance, so we're just going to have to pick a time and go for it - currently aiming at summer 2010.

Moonchild

Bennifred wrote: »

Thanks for the comforting words - hope you're right!:D Our flexibility is reduced by having to use the school holidays - I work in a school, and the three offspring are all in full-time education. OH is limited by having to book annual leave 12-18 months in advance, so we're just going to have to pick a time and go for it - currently aiming at summer 2010.

Summer Holidays :eek:

Eek! Well, take back the £500 comment I made, but start looking a year in advance, and try and get out in the first couple of days in July if you can.

blindman

Moonchild wrote: »

Summer Holidays :eek:

Eek! Well, take back the £500 comment I made, but start looking a year in advance, and try and get out in the first couple of days in July if you can.

Also look into the practicalities of starting the trip in Dublin or Paris to avoid the APD!

dmg24

sturll wrote: »

The reality is - like most other extortionate taxes - people will simply have to pay it or not holiday long haul.

These measures are designed to help a) the economy and b) those in financial difficulty. Those in financial difficulty are unlikely to have a holiday in Skegness as a high priority, let alone Australia or the US!