Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Finance and Trefnydd
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
On 11 June, the Welsh Affairs Committee published the findings of its inquiry into the devolution of Air Passenger Duty (APD) to Wales, which unequivocally recommended the UK government should hand over full control of APD in Wales to the Welsh Government by 2021. On 2 July, the National Assembly unanimously passed a joint motion tabled by the Welsh Government, Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives calling upon the UK government to fully devolve APD to Wales.
Today, the Welsh Affairs Committee has published the UK government’s response to its recommendation. Yet again, the UK government has demonstrated its unwillingness to accept the clear evidence that APD should be devolved to Wales. The intransigence of the UK government’s stance is further compounded by previous decisions to devolve APD to Scotland and Northern Ireland. There is no justification for Wales being treated less favourably than other devolved nations.
There is unanimous support for the devolution of APD from aviation, tourism and business sectors in Wales, and compelling evidence of the economic benefits it could bring, enabling growth in the aviation sector and wider economy. I will continue to press the UK government to review its untenable position.
The UK government’s response to the report of the Welsh Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the devolution of Air Passenger Duty to Wales can be accessed at the following link:
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmwelaf/2634/2634.pdf
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep Assembly Members informed. Should Assembly Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Assembly returns from recess I would be more than happy to do so.