22 Dec 2023, 03:08

Air Passenger Duty Rates raised
Air Passenger Duty Rates have been raised for the new years budget announced by government in an attempt to further promote green transport. The rates at present are as follows:

Air passenger duty: Economy Premium Classes Charter planes less than 15 passengers per flight
0-2001 Miles(£) £85.00 £255.00 £2,000.00
2001+miles(£) £100.00 £300.00 £2,000.00
0-2001 Miles(€) €131.75 €395.25 €3,100.00
2001+miles(€) €155.00 €465.00 €3,100.00

The rates for 2024 will be as follows with a change in how private jet APD is calculated:

Air passenger duty: Up to 32 Inch Pitch 33-40 Inch Pitch Business and 40 inch plus pitch Charter less than 15 passengers
0-2001 Miles(£) £100.00 £200.00 £395.00 £34,500.00
2001+miles(£) £115.00 £230.00 £455.00 £50,000.00
0-2001 Miles(€) €155.00 €310.00 €612.25 €53,475.00
2001+miles(€) €178.25 €356.50 €705.25 €77,500.00

The increase on flights leaving from United Duchies in APD is hoped to discourage unnecessary flights further with the private jets now paying per flight for 15 passengers regardless of how many are on the plane rather than per passenger to discourage wasteful use.The changes are also designed to encourage the most efficient use of fuel by encouraging more economy class travel with the extra funds from higher classes going to paying for more public transport and further carbon mitigation projects. The changes are hoped to increase the sustainability of the Duchies travel methods.

Population to breach 126,000,000
Projections of population show an expected increase to over 126,000,000 by January or February of 2024. The increase is expected to boost the economy by bringing in new skilled workers and vital service workers to the economy. The increase is welcomed by the Moderates and PSD who believe it is essential for public services to gain new skilled workers at a high rate while Unus and UoD expressed concerns about the scale of immigration and population growth in the United Duchies calling for drastic cuts to growth.

Social Housing Targets reached
Social housing targets of over 3,000,000 to be built have been reached according the latest report on housing with 3,529,401 social housing projects delivered this year with most being family apartments , maisonettes or flats with 35% being houses that are mostly semidetached or terraced. The housing is already helping Duchians deal with the housing cost issues with Brummagem and Polderlands delivering the most. 2 Million have been delivered under the central funded DPHP construction programme with the rest being delivered by local authorities and housing associations. It is planned to further deliver another 3.5-4 million homes next year. Prefab houses made up over 55% of the current building programme.