SNP MSP Kevin Stewart has welcomed a call from the chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, urging the devolution of Air Passenger Duty (APD) to Scotland.

In a news report today in the Sunday Herald, Liz Cameron describes how “the tax should be devolved to allow the Scottish Government to set rates of APD appropriate to our economic needs and ambitions”.

This adds to the same calls from the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, the LibDem Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, the Leader of Aberdeen City Council, North East Scotland SCDI, NESTRANS, BAA Aberdeen Airport, Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Futures and Eastern Airways.

SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central, Kevin Stewart, said:

“Pressure is mounting on the UK Government to devolve APD, with support steadily growing for Scotland to have responsibility for this tax.

“There must be equality of treatment for Scotland following a cut in the rate of APD for direct long-haul passengers travelling from Northern Ireland – which is currently £12 in economy and £24 in business and first class.

“We need parity with Northern Ireland as it is completely hypocritical of the UK Government to make this move while leaving devolution of APD out of the Scotland Bill.

“The Treasury needs to sit up and listen to these calls and recognise its refusal to devolve control is extremely damaging to Scotland’s air industry.

“There is overwhelming evidence and support for APD to be devolved. Scotland must be given all the tools to equip it to make the best decisions for our economic needs.”