I'm sure they'd be happy to replace it with a fuel tax on jet fuel
Heathrow Harry, are you telling us that there is not already a tax on jet fuel?
In a previous job I was charged with monitoring jet fuel prices domestically and in Europe for our flight crews to use when deciding where and how much fuel to purchase (1). European taxes on jet fuel were among the highest we encountered, resulting in higher total fuel prices. I suspect that jet fuel is already heavily taxed multiple times all the way along the chain from exploration and extraction through the delivery hose and now extending to the discharged gasses escaping out the exhaust end of the turbojet.
Earlier you mentioned that businesses simply "write off" taxes paid as some sort answer to those who complain about high taxation. When the taxing authority relieves my enterprise of 30% of our revenue then taxes me additionally on the remaining 70% left to cover the cost of goods sold, wages & benefits, research & product development and profit (returned to investors) I assure you that not taxing me on the original 30% is not a "gift".
This is a serious problem between people who work for government and those who are employed outside the public dole. Recently I was listening to an Air Traffic Control specialist address a group of young people assembled for a career day. This individual mentioned that he never has to worry about his "company" going out of business because he works for the Federal Government. Further he emphasized his "company" (The Federal Government) owns the printing presses that print money, so they will never run out of money.
Those who work in public service have insulated themselves from many of the unpleasant aspects of the harsh realities faced by those employed in the non-government marketplace. BUT it is the non- government marketplace that generates economic activity creating wealth that produces the income that is taxed.
And there is the tension, one side generates the wealth, the other side taxes it away. How much jet fuel has the revenue department brought to market to power British enterprise, innovation and ingenuity around the globe last year? Allow me to guess; not a single drop, zero. BP, the men & women at BA and many others made that happen with little if any help from the regulators or the tax-man/woman.
That returns us to the original post. BALPA is pointing out that UK tax policy places them and the UK aviation industry at a competitive disadvantage and BALPA seeks relief. Somebody has to create wealth through industry, innovation and effort. We all simply cannot be ministers and governmental department heads on generous salaries, benefits and retirement schemes or be recipients of public assistance. SOMEBODY has to work!
I have always respected and enjoyed reading your valuable contributions here on PPRuNe, please do not interpret anything I have written as a personal attack on you or anybody employed in public service. For society to function well government must play a significant role. But government's constantly increasing demands on our wages is not supportable indefinitely. It seems BALPA has reached that point now and is seeking to change the status quo.
(1) The company purchased high end quality designer clothing from France and leather goods from Italy and Spain that were in demand but not available in the United States. This activity supported industries and thereby jobs on both sides of the Atlantic, a classic win-win for all parties involved (The original owners of the leather used would disagree).