Increase in air passenger duty

Greedy Gordon is at it again. He has used the worldwide breast-beating about our endangered planet as an excuse to double air passenger duty. For short-haul flights, the duty is increased from £5 to £10, and for long-haul economy flights, it is increased from £20 to £40. I suppose we should all have seen that coming. This was too good an opportunity for Gordon to miss.

The increase takes effect from 1 February 2007.

People who have pre-booked tickets for flights after 1 February 2007 will also have to pay the higher tax. Unsurprisingly, they are not happy with the unexpected extra expense.

So what will Greedy Gordon do? Announce some form of concession for anyone in this situation? I wouldn't bet on it.