Nigel Farage has announced plans to scrap air passenger duty on short haul flights for families, describing it as ending a 'family holiday tax'. Speaking at Heathrow Airport, the Reform leader said the policy would ease pressure on household budgets as rising energy prices linked to the Middle East crisis threaten to push up air fares ahead of the summer.

Under the proposal, air passenger duty would be removed when at least one adult buys an economy ticket alongside a child under 18. Reform said this would save families an average of £45 on flights to Europe or £48 on domestic trips, cutting the cost of some journeys by around 23 per cent. The party said the change would apply to parents, grandparents, relatives and school trips.

The announcement comes as global oil and gas shipments face disruption following military action involving Iran, raising concerns about jet fuel shortages and higher travel costs. Reform said the policy would cost £142 million a year and would be funded through wider reductions in government spending, while a Heathrow spokesperson welcomed moves to lower air passenger duty to boost competitiveness.