I'll bet its been years since Brown flew coach. I would bet he is contributing more to carbon emissions by flying in situations that create more carbon emissions per passenger like government executive jets and if he can't do that first or business class if he flies commercial flights.
One way these shabby politicians could help cut carbon emissions is to ground their government executive jets and fly commercial themselves in the economy cabin. If they won't do that, they have absolutely no business in taxing everyone else mercilessly. They are hypocrits.
Originally Posted by
Aviatrix
I think "poor families" thing really needs to be put into perspective...
Flying is a LOT cheaper now than it was 10 or 20 years ago, not just relative to people's earnings but in absolute terms. 20 years ago flights to France or Germany were around GBP 100 return. These days you can fly for a fraction of that on Ryanair. Even with the new taxes flying is still going to be much cheaper than it was in the past.
Could families afford foreign holidays 20 years ago? Yes, the average family could afford their fortnight in the sun just as easily as they can now. People didn't take as many foreign week-end trips back then, and stag nights tended to be a few beers at the local pub rather than a boozy week-end in Prague or Riga... but was that really such a bad thing?
We all like to travel as cheaply as possible, but I think this UK tax thing has been blown up out of all proportions.