Newsdesk
AIRPORT EXPANSION? THE PARTY'S OVER, SAY MPs
31st July 2003Airport expansion at Cliffe and Manston is ruled out by a devastating report from the Environmental Audit Committee of the House of Commons (1). Steve Dawe comments:
"The Environmental Audit Committee of the House of Commons has told Government that its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases will be undermined unless it reverses the growth of aviation. Although jobs in the British aviation industry declined by 20,000 April 2002-April 2003, the Government is still predicting massive rises in flights. Today's car driver pays 80% tax when buying fuel, but the air passenger pays nothing towards the environmental costs of flying. The Committee believes the overall real cost to the UK is running at £18 billion a year, contradicting the Government’s idea that aviation is an economic benefit. This is close to the Green Party’s suggested costs of aviation at £19 billion (2). The Committee recommends an emissions charge levied on flights and consideration of VAT on ticket sales. This could close this gap, but would clearly mean an end to airport expansion plans. "
Plans for Cliffe and Manston would be set aside by these measures. The Green Party believes such taxes on flying would also assist Eurostar services which have been suffering a drop in passengers recently. What we might lose in potential aviation employment could be transformed into new rail jobs in Kent. We suggest people write to their MPs to support the Committee.” ENDS c241 words
FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe on 01233 645167 or 07904 382203. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH
Notes: 1. Budget 2003 and Aviation: report publication www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/environmental_audit_committee Issued 29.7.03 2. Aviation's Economic Downside a report on the Green Party website under Reports www.greenparty.org.uk
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