p18 Columnist Nov6 3/11/09 16:56 Page 18
news comment
ttglive.com
Kane Pirie Travel Republic
“Forget the bull about the
environment, admit the
coffers are empty and we
need more tax revenue”
W
e are, as a nation, up to our invest their latest mega bonus pays no more
eyeballs in debt. The hangover than an ordinary family struggling to treat
from the bankers’ orgy of excess themselves to a single annual holiday.
is a big fat bill to be picked up The banker will actually pay less, as a
by lucky us, the tax payer. A simple and open proportion of their income. The only appeal of
approach would be to increase income taxes these taxes lies in the desperate hope of politi-
including the basic rate. No chance – in an age cians that we notice the duties on expenditure
of superficial soundbite politics, that would be less than the taxation on income.
inconceivable, tantamount to election suicide. What then is the reaction of the industry to
The model for the solution is obvious: the being dumped on with significant extra
seductive no-frills airline approach to pricing. taxes, while in contrast the financial
Attractive headline numbers with the services sector enjoys a massive
extra costs stuffed away left, right and bail-out at an unprecedented,
centre. Where is the transparency? mind-boggling level?
Don’t call it “APD”, it is flying tax. Anger and frustration, yes, but
Forget the bull about the envi- the issue once again shows us up as
ronment, admit the coffers weak for want of a unifying voice.
are empty and we need For all the wailing and moaning
more tax revenue. (to which I admit I have added my
This is the new own today), I don’t expect any real
approach to change or progress. Industry
taxation – moral lobbying can be powerful and
codswallop. effective but our own is anything but.
Nobody dares I am resigned to the extra taxes on
to increase a tax flying. Despite the concerns and straw
these days without polls to the contrary, I hope it does not
piously explaining it is put too many people off their holidays.
actually for the greater good. This is partly, of course, because such a
Tax is now a weapon to attack reaction would be bad for business.
those sinners who drive cars or More compelling though is that life passes
fly abroad – such outrageous, in a whirlwind. Holidays are fun and bring
wanton decadence. people some happiness. Isn’t that
There is no “means testing” something we all want to encourage?
element to these taxes.
The state-subsidised banker Kane Pirie is managing director of
flying off to the yacht shop to Travel Republic
18 06.11.2009
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80