Ministers urged to use Budget to show ‘clear intent’ on private jet tax

Holyrood ministers must use their upcoming Budget to signal a “clear intent” to introduce a tax on private jets, campaigners have insisted.

Oxfam Scotland estimated such a charge could have raised £27 million last year alone – adding this cash could be used to help fund efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

The plea came on what the charity has dubbed “pollutocrat day” – the day by which the richest 1% have used up their annual carbon budget, the amount of CO2 that can be emitted while keeping the planet within 1.5C of warming.

Jamie Livingstone, the head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “Pollutocrat day exposes a world turned upside down.

“While people in poverty all around the world are already struggling to survive the impacts of rising seas, unbearable heatwaves and record-breaking storms, a wealthy few are pumping out staggering levels of pointless pollution.

“It’s the height of climate inequality and injustice.”

Oxfam said its analysis of flight data shows 10,503 private jet flights took off or landed at Scottish airports in the first 10 months of 2025 – an average of 1,050 flights every month, up from the 2024 monthly average of 1,012.

Illustrative modelling found that if a Scottish private jet tax was set at a minimum of 10 times the charge of the UK’s existing air passenger duty higher rate, £26.8 million could have been raised over January to October 2025.

Mr Livingstone said “private jets are one of the most egregious emblems of excess”, saying the “tiny elite” who use them to travel are “racking up massive emissions through choice, not necessity”.

With Finance Secretary Shona Robison due to unveil next year’s draft Budget on Tuesday, he called for action from the Government.

He said: “Scottish ministers must use the Scottish Budget to signal its clear intent to land a Scottish private jet tax at the earliest opportunity.

“This common sense, practical measure would raise tens of millions of pounds each year for fair climate action; it is painfully overdue and entirely within their grasp.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “As is established, all Scottish tax policy for 2026-27 will be announced at the Scottish Budget on January 13, 2026.”