Economy of Isles of Scilly

Taxation

The islands were not subject to Income Tax until 1954, and there was no motor vehicle excise duty levied until 1971.

Transport

The islands are linked to the mainland by air and sea services, and they rely on boat services for inter-island connections.

St. Mary's is the only island with a significant road network; in 2005 there were 619 registered vehicles on the island. The island also has taxis and a community bus service. Vehicles on the islands are exempt from annual MOT tests. On St Mary's you can hire electric powered golf cart type buggies for use on the island's metalled road network.

Air access to the islands is via St. Mary's Airport. Tresco Heliport on Tresco operated until late 2012 and is now closed to scheduled services. The following air services currently operate:

Fixed-wing aircraft services, operated by Isles of Scilly Skybus, from Land's End, Newquay, Exeter, Bristol and Southampton to St Mary's Airport.

By sea, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company provides a passenger and cargo service from Penzance to St Mary's, which is currently operated by the Scillonian III passenger ferry, supported by the Gry Maritha cargo vessel. The other islands are linked to St. Mary's by a network of inter-island launches.

Tenure

The freehold land of the islands is the property of the Duchy of Cornwall (except for Hugh Town on St Mary's, which was sold to the inhabitants in 1949). The duchy also holds 3,921 acres (16 km) as duchy property, part of the duchy's landholding. All the