New All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) formed, opposing Heathrow expansion
A cross-party group of MPs are joining forces to oppose Heathrow expansion, partly due to the impact it will have on other regions of the country. The group is the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Heathrow Expansion and Regional Connectivity. Members include David Simmonds, the newly-elected MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner. The APPG is reformed, due to being dissolved at the election. At its meeting on 25th February, a new report produced by the New Economics Foundation was publicised. This examines the impact of a 3rd runway on the rest of the country, revealing how the DfT has known for some time how Heathrow expansion would damage the regions economically and reduce jobs. It is likely that as many as 27,000 jobs would be lost to the regions as people move to London and the South East. Mr Simmonds said: “Heathrow expansion is being marketed as a benefit to UK PLC, but this report shows it just moves more pollution and economic activity into London, a dis-benefit to our capital and a loss to the regions we are determined to ‘level up’.”
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Ruislip MP in new all-party group opposing Heathrow expansion
24th February 2020
Hillingdon Times
Opposed: the MPs say expansion will cause a mass migration to London and the South East
A CROSS-party group of MPs are joining forces to oppose expansion at Heathrow because of the impact it will have on other regions of the country.
The MPs, who meet for the first time tomorrow (25), will become the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heathrow Expansion and Regional Connectivity.
They include David Simmonds, the newly-elected MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner.
A report by the New Economics Foundation, examining the impact of a third runway at Heathrow on the rest of the country, will be released at the meeting.
It suggests 27,000 jobs will be lost to the regions as people move to London and the South East.
The report also claims expansion would effectively transfer £3.3bn worth of emissions into London between 2030 and 2050
Mr Simmonds said: “Heathrow expansion is being marketed as a benefit to UK PLC, but this report shows it just moves more pollution and economic activity into London, a dis-benefit to our capital and a loss to the regions we are determined to ‘level up’.
“Parliament needs to get to grips with the detail of what expansion means – and swiftly move on to planning the improvements in regional connectivity that the UK desperately needs, rather than putting more eggs in one overcrowded basket.”
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MP David Simmonds against Heathrow third runway expansion
25th February
By Joseph Reaidi (Harrow Times)
Some MPs are uniting against plans to introduce a third runway at Heathrow
David Simmonds, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, is one of those opposed.
An all-party parliamentary group will be aligning in opposition of plans for expansion of a third runway at Heathrow airport.
David Simmonds, the conservative MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, is among one of the many MPs aligning across the country to oppose proposed expansions at the airport.
The parliamentary group of MPs from different political parties have met for the first time today (February 25) to discuss the expansion and the impact a third runway will have on all regions of the UK.
The meeting launched a new report by the New Economics Foundation, which combines official analysis from the Department for Transport (DfT) and data from Freedom of Information requests.
From the report, it is estimated the expansion could displace £43billion and cause the loss of 27,000 jobs from regions outside London.
It also shows the expansion could effectively transfer £3.3billion worth of emissions out of other regions and nations of the UK and into London between 2030 and 2050.
Mr Simmonds said: “Heathrow expansion is being marketed as a benefit to a UK PLC, but this report shows it just moves more pollution and economic activity into London, a disbenefit to our capital and a loss to the regions we are determined to level up.
“Parliament needs to get to grips wit the detail of what expansion means – and swiftly move on to planning the improvements in regional connectivity that the UK desperately needs, rather than putting more eggs in one overcrowded basket.”
Paul Beckford, the policy director for the ‘No Third Runway Coalition’, welcomes the parliamentary involvement opposing the expansion.
He said: “Local communities have long opposed expansion at Heathrow due to the negative environmental and health impacts that the proposals to essentially build a second airport on the site would have.
“Yet many campaigners are also concerned about the national impact on the economy and our climate.
“The proposal to put an additional 280,000 flights a year over London, already the most congested airspace in the world, will materially impact the country’s ability to deliver a Net Zero economy.”
“Therefore, it is welcome that Parliamentarians from around the country and across the political divide are meeting to discuss the impact of Heathrow expansion on the regional economies.
“There is no merit in building a third runway only to have to take steps to constrain the regions in direct contradiction of the Government’s aims on levelling up.”
In December 2019, it was announced that the expansion was delayed for at least 12 months.
To allow this growth, Heathrow would build a third runway to the north west of the airport on Harmondsworth Moor – including the village of Longford, and parts of Harmondsworth and Sipson.
A Heathrow spokesperson added: “The reason for overwhelming support from nationwide business chambers and regional airports for Heathrow expansion is because our proposals will deliver for every corner of this country while meeting the most stringent environmental targets.
“We understand the need to mitigate the impact of expansion, that’s why we have a plan that reduces the airport’s noise impacts through quieter operations and a 6.5-hour ban on scheduled night flights, whilst unlocking jobs and economic benefits for local communities.
“Heathrow is taking a number of steps to encourage passengers to travel to the airport using more sustainable means and is working with the DfT and Local Authorities to improve the airport’s transport links.
“The revenue generated from both the Heathrow Ultra Low Emission Zone and Vehicle Access Charges will help fund initiatives to improve sustainable transport.”
https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/18260375.mp-david-simmonds-heathrow-third-runway-expansion/
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The APPG was first set up in 2017
Cross-party MPs form new APPG group to question the case for Heathrow 3rd runway
A new cross-party group of MPs against the expansion of Heathrow Airport has been launched in Westminster. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has been set up to bring together politicians opposing a 3rd runway and scrutinise the issues related to proposed expansion. Reflecting the cross-party opposition, the group is co-chaired by Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park – and Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, with Vince Cable MP for Twickenham as treasurer and Baroness Jenny Jones as vice chair. Zac Goldsmith says the group will “question the case for a 3rd runway at Heathrow.” He added: “The political support for the campaign against expansion is growing and the delay to the vote on the National Policy Statement (NPS) reflects the concern the government has about the possibility of defeat.” Ruth Cadbury does not believe expansion is “deliverable” and there are “… far too many unanswered questions on key issues that affect our communities including the complete absence of information about flight paths, the questionable quality of the noise mitigation offer, the costs of the surface access improvements and the financial liabilities that will ultimately be picked up by taxpayers.” The vote in the House of Commons on the Heathrow NPS will not be until about June 2018.
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