Responding to a written parliamentary question answered by the Finance Secretary confirming that progress on the devolution of air passenger duty remains ongoing, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:

“Instead of using Brexit, the EU and the Highlands and Islands airports exemption as a pathetic excuse on APD cuts, the Scottish Government should just abandon their anti-environmental policy.

“Cutting Air Passenger Duty will damage the environment and won’t help our battle with climate change.  It will also hit our public finances at a time when we are facing a massive £1.7bn forecast downgrade.  The SNP should finally give up and accept they are wrong on this.”