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George Osborne took one of the easiest opportunities possible in his Budget to suggest that we're 'all in this together' by hiking taxes on private jets.
The chancellor made the announcement in today's Budget, unveiling plans to increase the amount of air passenger duty levied on private jets from four to six times that levied on economy class flights. Who could complain about bankers and the 1% having to pay more to fly?
Osborne told MPs: "Private jets were not taxed at all under the previous government. Today they are, and I’m increasing the charge so they pay more."
Unsurprisingly, the private jet industry is in uproar about the move, accusing the Treasury of "losing sight" of the importance of Britain's private jets.
Adam Twidell, CEO of private jet booking service PrivateFly.com, told HuffPostUK that increasing taxes on private jets was "unfair".
"The government has lost sight of the unfair impact of APD on British companies that operate private jets. Instead of increasing APD, HMRC should be concentrating on collecting it from overseas operators, over 25% of whom are avoiding paying it," he added.
"A recent survey by private aviation industry body BACA reveals that over 25% of overseas operators, performing flights from the UK, are avoiding paying APD.
"This is not a level playing field as UK aircraft operators cannot compete on price with those overseas operators who are not paying APD on UK flights."
Twidell and his colleagues aren't happy. Whether ordinary voters will take to the streets in protest over this particular tax rise is another matter altogether.
George Osborne and his big red box
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(01 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne holding the budget box stands with his Treasury team (2nd L-R) Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Lord Deighton, Financial Secretary to the Treasury Sajid Javid, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Nicky Morgan, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke (R) outside Number 11 Downing Street on March 19, 2014 in London, England. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons later. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(02 of21)
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne poses for pictures holding the budget box outside 11 Downing Street in London on March 19, 2014, as he prepares to unveil the government's annual budget to parliament. Osborne will spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year on March 19, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(03 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne holding the budget box outside Number 11 Downing Street on March 19, 2014 in London, England. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons later. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(04 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne holding the budget box stands with his Treasury team outside Number 11 Downing Street on March 19, 2014 in London, England. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons later. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(05 of21)
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne poses for pictures while holding the budget box outside 11 Downing Street in London on March 19, 2014, as he prepares to unveil the government's annual budget to parliament. Osborne will spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year on March 19, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(06 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne (L) holds the budget box as his Treasury team (R) cross Downing Street on March 19, 2014 in London, England. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons later. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(07 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne (L) leaves Number11 Downing Street holding the budget box in front of Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander on March 19, 2014 in London, England. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons later. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(08 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne holding the budget box outside Number 11 Downing Street on March 19, 2014 in London, England. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons later. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(09 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne holds the budget box outside Number 11 Downing Street on March 19, 2014 in London, England. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons later. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(10 of21)
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne poses for pictures while holding the budget box outside 11 Downing Street in London on March 19, 2014, as he prepares to unveil the government's annual budget to parliament. Osborne will spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year on March 19, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(11 of21)
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne poses for pictures holding the budget box outside 11 Downing Street in London on March 19, 2014, as he prepares to unveil the government's annual budget to parliament. Osborne will spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year on March 19, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(12 of21)
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne walks out of 11 Downing Street in London on March 19, 2014, as he prepares to unveil the government's annual budget to parliament. Osborne will spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year on March 19, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(13 of21)
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne poses for pictures holding the budget box outside 11 Downing Street in London on March 19, 2014, as he prepares to unveil the government's annual budget to parliament. Osborne will spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year on March 19, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(14 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne leaves Number 11 Downing Street holding the budget box on March 19, 2014 in London, England. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons later. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(15 of21)
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne poses for pictures holding the budget box outside 11 Downing Street in London on March 19, 2014, as he prepares to unveil the government's annual budget to parliament. Osborne will spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year on March 19, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(16 of21)
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne leaves after posing with the budget box outside 11 Downing Street in London on March 19, 2014, as he prepares to unveil the government's annual budget to parliament. Osborne will spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year on March 19, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(17 of21)
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne leaves after posing with the budget box outside 11 Downing Street in London on March 19, 2014, as he prepares to unveil the government's annual budget to parliament. Osborne will spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year on March 19, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(18 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne holds the budget box outside Number 11 Downing Street on March 19, 2014 in London, England. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons later. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(19 of21)
British Foreign Secretary William Hague arrives in Downing Street in London, on March 19, 2014, as members of the media prepare to film and photograph Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne later Wednesday as he unveils the government's annual budget to parliament. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-FINANCE-ECONOMY-GROWTH-BUDGET(20 of21)
British Business Secretary Vince Cable (R) arrives for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street in London, on March 19, 2014, as Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne prepares to unveil the governments annual budget to parliament. AFP PHOTO / CARL COURT (Photo credit should read CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Chancellor George Osborne Prepares To Give His Budget To Parliament(21 of21)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Kaya Mar holds a painting of George Osborne outside downing street ahead of the Budget on March 19, 2014 in London, England. Later The Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne will deliver his Budget statement to Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. (Photo by Bethany Clarke/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)