MSPs call for more detail on Scots air tax plans

The Scottish government wants to halve Air Passenger Duty before ultimately scrapping it altogether

The finance secretary has been told to come back to Holyrood to show there is independent economic evidence to back proposed cuts to aviation taxes.

Holyrood takes control of air tax from 2018, with the government aiming to cut it by half and eventually abolish it.

The government wants to pass laws enabling changes before setting out the detail of proposed rates and bands.

But convener Bruce Crawford told Derek Mackay that the finance committee's report would call for more evidence.

He said there was a "growing consensus" about this, amid "wide-ranging criticism" of the lack of evidence available on the environmental and economic impact of cutting the tax.

The Air Departure Tax (Scotland) Bill currently under consideration at Holyrood is "enabling legislation" to set up the devolved tax, a replacement for Air Passenger Duty, but does not go into detail about rates.

When the bill was introduced, the government said it would allow them to "progress plans" for a 50% reduction in air tax by the end of the current parliament, with the levy to be abolished "when finances allow".

Economic assessment

Opposition parties and tax experts have raised concerns about this, with the Chartered Institute of Taxation saying it was important for the government to publish "as much detail as possible" to allow "robust and effective scrutiny and greater clarity around what these reforms can deliver".

During a finance committee meeting examining the legislation, SNP MSP Mr Crawford told Mr Mackay that the group's report would recommend an independent economic assessment.

He urged the finance secretary not to wait for the report, but to "assume that's going to be in it so we can begin to answer some of these questions".

Bruce Crawford urged Mr Mackay not to wait for the committee's report, but to look to answer questions immediately

During the meeting, Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie questioned Mr Mackay about what evidence the government currently had about the economic and environmental impact of cutting the tax.

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser described the current evidence available as "poor", while Labour's James Kelly said it was important the government brought forward "robust research".

Mr Mackay said there was still work to be done around "the specifics of the policy".

Addressing environmental arguments, he said: "This stage is the enabling legislation to allow us to collect the tax. More detail comes from the tax rates and bands, and from that, more information around what the impact of that would be would require a strategic and environmental assessment.

"Looking at the government's ambitious environmental policies, it's recognised that we will have to work harder in other areas, to recognise that such a policy could lead to an increase in emissions."

Focusing on economic criticisms, Mr Mackay said: "Our officials have certainly looked at all the reports and considered them.

"We haven't commissioned to the best of my knowledge any independent research of our own.

"If committee wishes me to look at that, I will certainly consider that absolutely."