Government’s airport policy attacked by MPs
02.03.11
The Government has come under fire from a committee of MPs for its lack of focus on growth at the UK’s major airports. The attack comes from the cross-party Transport Select Committee in its latest report on transport and the economy released today.
Committee chair Louise Ellman said: ‘It is disappointing that the UK's international gateways - its major ports and airports - do not feature more prominently in the Government's strategy for transport and the economy. We call on the Government to clarify how it intends to address the needs of businesses for increased international connectivity, in London and the regions.’
The Committee says that a White Paper on Government transport policy should be published, ‘explaining in particular how its spending on transport will deliver economic growth and development. Such a strategy must set objectives for all transport spending and explain the criteria Ministers will use to decide between different claims on limited financial resources.'
Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway said in a speech today: ‘I share the Transport Committee's disappointment in the Government’s lack of strategy with regard to aviation and the economy. Airports and airlines are vital to the core economy and economic recovery, from providing the international connectivity that businesses right across the country need, to welcoming three quarters of all visitors to the UK.'
‘Furthermore, unlike other transport modes reliant on the taxpayer, aviation finances its infrastructure needs privately. Congestion at our airports and internationally uncompetitive levels of Air Passenger Duty are a major constraint on economic growth, and a disincentive for tourists ahead of next year’s Olympic Games. The impact of this is already evident in the tourism statistics. If the Government is serious about economic growth, it will address the needs of business and properly recognise the role of aviation to the UK economy.’
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