The British Airline Pilots’ Association is calling for the Government to change tax rules in relation to self-funded, work-related training that it says are no longer fit for the modern economy.

BALPA is campaigning for these rules to be changed so that pilots who are required by their employer to pay for vital training, such as type rating courses, can claim tax relief in a similar way an airline would if it were to fund the training.

The Association says many of its members, who have tried to claim tax relief, have experienced difficulty in actually persuading HMRC to accept their claims.

BALPA has met with senior treasury and HMRC officials, the TUC and other professional bodies to discuss options and is campaigning for the rules to be amended to make it easier for pilots to claim the tax relief to which we believe they are entitled.

Head of Industrial relations at BALPA, John Moore, said:

“Pilots who have to pay for training that is required as part of their employment, such as type rating courses, are not being given the same tax relief that would otherwise be available to their employers, and that’s unfair.

“BALPA is pleased the government is consulting on the issue. We will continue to push for the matter to be addressed so that pilots who are required by their employer to pay personally for training that is required as part of their employment are provided with the same tax relief otherwise available to their employers.

“We are also continuing to support individual members in making claims for tax relief in relation to self-funded type rating courses”