Budget 2024: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry awkwardly hit by huge tax change

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be impacted by a number of changes in the budget, according to Rachel Reeves.

The Chancellor announced today that private jets have been subject to a significant tax, increasing the APD rate by another 50%, or £450 per passenger, as of today. Reeves announced to the Commons that no more than £2 would be affected by a much lower rate, which was announced.

Addressing the chamber, Reeves said: “APD has not kept up with inflation in recent years, so we are increasing an adjustment, meaning an increase of no more than £2 for a short haul economy flight. However, when it comes to private jets, I am acting differently. increasing the prevalence of APD by 50%. “

She added: “That is equivalent of £450 per passenger for a private jet to say… California. The Chancellor appeared to have taken a swipe at former prime minister Rishi Sunak in her one-word rant about US travel, even though the same fee will apply to former royals Harry and Meghan traveling by private jet from the UK.

According to a report from Transport &;, private planes are up to 14 times more polluting for each passenger than commercial planes and 50 times more polluting than trains. Environment. Sunak was alleged to have flocked to the UK using jets and helicopters more frequently than any other recent PM.

In fact, a damning analysis revealed that he frequently took one flight every eight days on average, according to Freedom of Information requests to the BBC. To transport the PM and other ministers domestically, Sunak used an aircraft known as 32 Squadron, which operates two Dassault Falcon 900LX jets and a helicopter.

Harry and Meghan have previously been criticized for flying in a 12-seat Cessna jet, despite previously receiving criticism for using private jets. They have also been known to fly on commercial aircraft, as they did when they returned to the US earlier this year from a tour of Nigeria.

The Budget 2024 states: “For 2026-27, the government will increase rates of Air Passenger Duty (APD). This equates to £1 more for those taking domestic flights in economy class, £2 more for those flying to short-haul destinations in economy class, £12 for long-haul destinations, and relatively more for premium economy and business class passengers.

“The higher rate, which currently applies to larger private jets, will rise by a further 50% in 2026-27. From2027-28 onwards, all rates will be uprated by forecast RPI and rounded to the nearest penny. The government is also considering expanding the APD higher rate’s scope to include all passengers using private jets already under the APD regime. “

Source: Mirror