DUDLEY North MP Ian Austin is calling on the Government to slash Air Passenger Duty (APD) to boost regional airports like Birmingham.

He says the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales are planning to reduce the tax - and England's regional airports would then be put at a "competitive disadvantage".

Mr Austin is backing proposals to make a similar cut for "non-congested" airports in England to offer local people cheaper flights and boost growth at hubs such as Birmingham Airport, which he points out contributed £1.1 billion to the West Midlands economy last year, supporting 25,300 jobs in the region.

“Wales and Scotland are working to put airports like Birmingham at a competitive disadvantage so I want the government to intervene," said Mr Austin.

"Cutting Air Passenger Duty for regional airports would help local people afford a well-earned break at the same time as boosting the local economy.”