G-KEST
7th Aug 2007, 22:08
A response to the petition has now been published. Little has changed and we must continue to encourage our representative bodies like PFA, AOPA, BMAA, BHAB, HCofGB, HAA, BGA and BRA along with BBGA to make progress with the government towards a common sense position. Otherwise our fuel costs are going to rise enormously.
Cheers, (or possibly tears)
Trapper 69
:mad::mad::mad::mad:
_______________________________________________
Aviation fuel tax - epetition reply from the PM dated 7 August 2007
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to prevail on the Treasury not to impose additional taxes on aviation fuels beyond the few pence per litre required by the EC. The opportunity to increase tax follows from the Commission's recent refusal of an application to allow the continuance of a lower tax on avgas than on car petrol."
Details of Petition:
"Twenty years ago aviation pressure groups successfully petitioned the Treasury for a reduction in avgas tax, because avgas, being produced in much smaller quantities than car petrol, was much more expensive. Tax was set at half that of leaded motor fuel. The EC minima for tax on avgas is higher than the UK level. If the tax is raised to the specified minimum, avgas and Jet A1 will rise by about two pence per litre, but if the Treasury chooses to bring tax into line with car petrol, the price could rise by as much as 29 pence per litre, which would have a devastating result on General Aviation. General Aviation trains airline pilots, is a major employer and an important element in the economy and in the transport infrastructure. We urge that the Prime Minister requests a review of this by his Ministerial colleagues."
Read the petition
Petitions home page
Read the Government's response
The Government understands that many people will be disappointed by the European Commission's decision not to allow the renewal of the derogation from the Energy Products Directive (EPD) which allowed a reduced rate of excise duty to be charged on aviation gasoline (Avgas), and for Avtur (Jet AI) used for private pleasure flying to be exempt from duty.
Under the terms of the EPD, Member States are permitted to set their own tax rates as long as they respect the minimum rates agreed and laid down in that Directive. However, once a Member State has set its tax rates it cannot introduce different rates for different purposes, except in a few very specific circumstances and for particular uses, or where product quality differs.
Officials are in the process of discussing with various representative organisations ways of implementing the new regime that will both minimise the impact, and ensure that any additional compliance burden is as small as possible. Consultation will be carried out shortly by HM Revenue and Customs seeking views on options for implementation.
The Government has already announced that there will be no changes until 1 November 2008. This timetable will allow the many issues to be considered properly before decisions are made, whilst ensuring that, once decisions are announced, the general aviation sector will have an appropriate period of time to adapt before legislation comes into force.
Cheers, (or possibly tears)
Trapper 69
:mad::mad::mad::mad:
_______________________________________________
Aviation fuel tax - epetition reply from the PM dated 7 August 2007
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to prevail on the Treasury not to impose additional taxes on aviation fuels beyond the few pence per litre required by the EC. The opportunity to increase tax follows from the Commission's recent refusal of an application to allow the continuance of a lower tax on avgas than on car petrol."
Details of Petition:
"Twenty years ago aviation pressure groups successfully petitioned the Treasury for a reduction in avgas tax, because avgas, being produced in much smaller quantities than car petrol, was much more expensive. Tax was set at half that of leaded motor fuel. The EC minima for tax on avgas is higher than the UK level. If the tax is raised to the specified minimum, avgas and Jet A1 will rise by about two pence per litre, but if the Treasury chooses to bring tax into line with car petrol, the price could rise by as much as 29 pence per litre, which would have a devastating result on General Aviation. General Aviation trains airline pilots, is a major employer and an important element in the economy and in the transport infrastructure. We urge that the Prime Minister requests a review of this by his Ministerial colleagues."
Read the petition
Petitions home page
Read the Government's response
The Government understands that many people will be disappointed by the European Commission's decision not to allow the renewal of the derogation from the Energy Products Directive (EPD) which allowed a reduced rate of excise duty to be charged on aviation gasoline (Avgas), and for Avtur (Jet AI) used for private pleasure flying to be exempt from duty.
Under the terms of the EPD, Member States are permitted to set their own tax rates as long as they respect the minimum rates agreed and laid down in that Directive. However, once a Member State has set its tax rates it cannot introduce different rates for different purposes, except in a few very specific circumstances and for particular uses, or where product quality differs.
Officials are in the process of discussing with various representative organisations ways of implementing the new regime that will both minimise the impact, and ensure that any additional compliance burden is as small as possible. Consultation will be carried out shortly by HM Revenue and Customs seeking views on options for implementation.
The Government has already announced that there will be no changes until 1 November 2008. This timetable will allow the many issues to be considered properly before decisions are made, whilst ensuring that, once decisions are announced, the general aviation sector will have an appropriate period of time to adapt before legislation comes into force.