Sunak scraps proposed new taxes on flying following net zero U-turn

Sunak said the debate around getting to net zero had "thrown up a range of worrying proposals" which he said would "never happen" under his government. A general election is due by January 2025 at the very latest, but is expected next year.

“We will never impose these unnecessary and heavy-handed measures on you, the British people, but we will still meet our international commitments and hit net zero by 2050,” Sunak vowed in an impromptu speech.

Laying waste to a number of commitments, Sunak said: "The proposal to create new taxes to discourage flying – I’ve scrapped that too."

The announcement comes as part of the government’s wider review of its net zero practices, which include scrapping proposals to tax meat and pushing back plans to phase out cars with combustion engines from 2030 to 2035.

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said the travel and tourism industry was "already working hard to reduce carbon emissions”, highlighting in particular the aviation sector’s plan to more widely adopt sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to reach net zero by 2050.

However, he said government investment would be vital if the sector is to achieve its SAF goals.

"The prime minister’s announcement today [Wednesday] shows the debate around how to achieve net zero is a significant and live one, and Abta is in close contact with all political stakeholders to make sure the interests of its members and their customers are taken into account."