Tyneside MP, Catherine McKinnell, spoke out in the Commons this morning about the important role played by Newcastle Airport, which is located within her Newcastle North constituency. Catherine was speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on regional development in the North East, and went on to discuss the disproportionate impact of Air Passenger Duty on regional airports, calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to recognise this problem in his Budget tomorrow (23rd March).
Catherine said:
“I was pleased to use this morning’s debate to speak about the incredibly important role played by Newcastle Airport in supporting the North East’s development. It is the single largest employer in my constituency with 3,000 staff on site and contributes around £400million to the region’s economy annually.
“As I said in the Commons today, Newcastle Airport has played a crucial role in the growth of the North East’s tourism industry, which has been one of the real success stories for the North East in the last decade or so. It also plays a vital role in supporting the strength of the North East export market and our foreign trading links, providing the region’s businesses with easy access to key international markets.
“However, as I explained to the Minister, there is a longstanding campaign – led by The Journal and backed by key industry figures, such as the North East Chamber of Commerce – for the disproportionate impact of Air Passenger Duty on regional airports to be recognised and acted upon.
“This campaign – ‘A Tax Too Far’ – calls for APD to be restructured in line with the impact it has on regions, compared to London; and for consideration to be given to reduced rates of APD for new start-up routes in and out of the North East.
“A possible announcement on a freeze on APD is widely expected in tomorrow’s Budget. However, I used the debate today to urge the Chancellor to recognise the vital role played by regional airports in re-balancing the economy and properly acknowledge and act upon the disproportionate regional impact of this tax. Notwithstanding the environmental issues surrounding aviation and the genuine need to move to a low-carbon economy, which I fully support, the so called ‘Budget for Growth’ must provide a real stimulus for regional economies like ours in the North East, and this would be an effective way of doing so.”