The 2008 Budget will be remembered not for a bang, but for a whimper. But behind the tinkering and the lack of clear vision had lain a glimer of hope for the planet. Darling was to have closed a loophole which actively encourage frequent flying by the much-hated and tax-evading non-doms. At the last minute he faltered, and left it in.
Residents of Monaco and other tax dodge hangouts are able to claim non-dom status if they spent no more than 90 days in the UK each year - but can discount "travel days" from the total. The uber-rich jet in on Monday, fly off on Wednesday and claim they've only worked one day in the UK. Unsuprisingly it's often cheaper to grab an unnecessary short-haul (or more often, private) flight to nowhere in particular than break the 90 day rule and have to shell out some tax for a change.
