Harvie says legal complexities show aviation tax cut has no credibility
Patrick Harvie MSP, Finance spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said today's statement from Scottish Ministers about legal complexities relating to their aim to cut aviation tax is the latest nail in the coffin of a plan that has no social, economic or environmental credibility.
Greens have long campaigned against the proposed tax cut as analysis shows it will benefit wealthy frequent fliers, increase carbon emissions and there is no evidence of economic benefit.
An opinion poll for the Greens showed that 9 out of 10 Scots believe other transport priorities such as investing in buses, rail and road maintenance would make a greater difference to their lives.
Patrick Harvie MSP, Finance and Economy spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said:
"The case against the SNP's aviation tax cut has continued to grow and today's statement is the latest nail in the coffin. Scottish Ministers might feel they need a technical excuse for dropping their plans this year, but the longer term issue remains that the SNP's policy on this is unjust and unsustainable.
"We cannot have cuts to aviation tax in the forthcoming Scottish budget or there's no possibility of Green MSPs and Scottish Ministers meeting to discuss a way forward. The writing has been on the wall for this daft policy for some time. Given the legal mess the Scottish Government has waded into as it panders to the aviation industry, ministers need to give up on this policy and focus instead on the public's priorities."