Green Party Manifesto opposes any UK airport expansion, and wants tough measures on air pollution
The Green Party manifesto says they would ban all airport expansion in the UK. That means no runway at Heathrow, or Gatwick, or Stansted or Manchester – or any other airport. They would “Cancel all airport expansion and end subsidies on airline fuel.” They would also “Invest in low traffic neighbourhoods and safe, convenient networks of routes for walking and cycling, including safe places for learning to cycle, so people of all ages and those with disabilities can choose to make local trips on foot, by bike or mobility scooter.” And “Help end the public health crisis caused by air pollution by increasing incentives to take diesel vehicles off the roads.” The removal of subsidies for aviation, due to the absence of tax on fuel, could raise £13.8 billion for the Treasury. The Green Party is concerned about the levels of air pollution in the UK, and advocate a one-off fine companies that cheated emissions tests – which they believe would raise £8 billion. Jonathan Bartley, who co-leads the party with Caroline Lucas, said: “Airlines currently pay no tax on the fuel they use or VAT, while road users pay 20% VAT on the petrol they buy.”
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Ban all airport expansion in the UK to tackle air quality, urge Greens
By KATE PROCTOR (Evening Standard)
22.5.2017
A ban on all airport expansion in the UK is the only way to tackle the country’s poor air quality, the Greens said today.
The proposed clampdown on the heavily polluting aviation industry was revealed in their manifesto and would mean no third runway at Heathrow, or expansion at Manchester and Stansted which have considered developing their airports.
The party also wants to axe subsidies for aviation fuel to raise £13.8bn for the Treasury and issue car manufacturers with a one-off fine for cheating emissions tests which they believe would raise £8bn.
Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley said today the Conservatives had demonstrated a “shamefully weak” response to air quality issues and pollution levels in the UK are a national public health crisis.
Mr Bartley, who co-leads the party with Caroline Lucas, told the Standard: “The Green Party has the environment at the heart of its manifesto and the policies we’re setting out today will ensure the next generation has clean air to breathe.
“This is an entirely preventable crisis and it would be a catastrophic failure if the next Government did not take action to help stop the 40,000 early deaths across the UK every year linked to air pollution.”
Airlines currently pay no tax on the fuel they use or VAT, while road users pay 20% VAT on the petrol they buy.
Other environmental policies the party proposed today at their launch in Soho, Central London, include new clean air zones across the UK and free local public transport for young people, students, the disabled and elderly.
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The Green Party Manifesto 2017 “10 top pledges” is at https://www.greenparty.org.uk/assets/Green%20Guarantee%20summary%20online.pdf
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The Manifesto ’10 top pledges” says:
We will return the railways to public ownership, and invest in regional rail links, especially in the South West and North of England, rather than wasting money on HS2 and the national major roads programme. We will tackle the impact of transport on climate change and public health by cancelling airport expansions and ending airline fuel subsidies, and increasing incentives to take diesel vehicles off the roads. We will invest in affordable, reliable and publicly run bus services, in better walking and cycling routes, and facilities such as cycle parking and on street secure cycle storage in residential areas. We will aim to make local public transport free for young people, students and people with disabilities.
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The Green Party main manifesto is at
https://www.greenparty.org.uk/assets/files/gp2017/greenguaranteepdf.pdf
This says:
Our policies:
Return the railways to public ownership and re-regulate buses, investing in increased bus services especially in rural and other poorly served areas.
All public transport should be fully accessible and step-free with a phase-in of free local public transport for young people, students, people with disabilities, and older people.
Invest in regional rail links and electrification of existing rail lines, especially in the South West and North of England, rather than wasting money on HS2 and the national major roads programme.
Cancel all airport expansion and end subsidies on airline fuel.
Invest in low traffic neighbourhoods and safe, convenient networks of routes for walking and cycling, including safe places for learning to cycle, so people of all ages and those with disabilities can choose to make local trips on foot, by bike or mobility scooter.
Help end the public health crisis caused by air pollution by increasing incentives to take diesel vehicles off the roads.
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