London24NEWS

Majority of voters help additional taxes on non-public jets and superyachts, ballot reveals

A clear majority of voters support slapping extra taxes on luxury transport including private jets and superyachts to take action on climate change.

The survey by YouGov also shows 45% of the public believe the government should be doing more to address the climate crisis in countries most impacted. It comes as Keir Starmer and other world leaders prepare to head to the UN climate summit – Cop29 – being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday.

The poll commissioned by Oxfam on the eve of the summit shows massive support for hiking taxes on luxury forms of transport – with 81% in favour. But just 27% would back more tax on fuel for motor vehicles with 65% opposed. It adds that 64% would support increasing tax on the wealthiest individuals in the country to fund action on the climate crisis.

Three-quarters of those polled also would back hiking duties on firms responsible for producing the most carbon emissions. And in a boost to Rachel Reeves, it also 80% back her measure to hike air passenger duty for private jets announced at the Budget. The Chancellor announced last month the rate of air passenger duty on private jets would be bumped up by 50%.

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Chiara Liguori, Oxfam GB’s senior climate justice policy advisor said: “The PM urgently needs to do more to provide support to communities already facing the devastating consequences of the climate crisis. The money is there. Our poll shows the public support for making the biggest and richest polluters pay. Given private jets and superyachts are highly polluting, highly unnecessary, and yet still undertaxed, these luxuries are an obvious place to start.”

She added: Liguori said: “The recent rise in private jet Air Passenger Duty is a welcome step forward by the government but much more could and should be done to ensure the richest are shouldering their fair share.”

YouGov interviewed 2,105 adults online between 1-4 November 2024 on behalf of Oxfam. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).