No to unfair Caribbean tax hike

8.46.33pm GMT Sun 1st Nov 2009

Lib Dem MP Sarah Teather and campaigner Floella Benjamin have already handed in a petition from north London

Lewisham Lib Dem Chris Maines is calling on the government not to proceed with an increased Air Passenger Duty that will hit the Caribbean community.

The Labour government is planning to tax Caribbean passengers at a higher rate than those travelling to the west coast of the United States, which is further away from the UK. Cllr Chris Maines wants the flight taxes based on the distance they travel and the carbon dioxide levels they emit. This would be fairer on UK residents with family in the Caribbean and better for the environment too.

The campaign against the higher duty is backed by Bruce Golding, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather and broadcaster Floella Benjamin.

Cllr Chris Maines says, "Thousands of people in South London have large families living in the Caribbean and need to be able to get to special occasions like weddings or a family Christmas. It simply isn't fair to charge passengers to the Caribbean more tax than those travelling to the west coast of America.

"Flight taxes should be based on distance and carbon dioxide emissions, not on arbitrary and unfair boundaries drawn up by a government minister. Labour's plans don't protect the environment, they just protect American business interests.

"Taxing planes rather than individual passengers would be better for the environment and fairer for passengers on busy routes. I hope that the Chancellor will change his mind. I urge all local people who feel strongly about this issue to sign my petition online at http://www.gopetition.com/online/31763.html."

Broadcaster and campaigner Floella Benjamin OBE said:

"The proposed Air Passenger Duty discriminates against every single member of the Caribbean community in Britain. It will hit families very hard indeed, to say nothing of its impact on the already hard-hit Caribbean tourism economy - a key source of revenue for most of the region."

Cllr Chris Maines is writing to the Alistair Darling urging him not to proceed with the tax hike that will unfairly hit the Caribbean community.

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Sign the petition now.