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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Airport expansion plans confirmed | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The government has reaffirmed its commitment to airport expansion plans despite opposition from green groups. | The government has reaffirmed its commitment to airport expansion plans despite opposition from green groups. |
| Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander told MPs the government was committed to a third, short runway at Heathrow airport and a new runway at Stansted. | Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander told MPs the government was committed to a third, short runway at Heathrow airport and a new runway at Stansted. |
| The "progress report" on the 2003 Aviation White Paper is expected to anger environmentalists, who want a curb on flights. | The "progress report" on the 2003 Aviation White Paper is expected to anger environmentalists, who want a curb on flights. |
| The Liberal Democrats said airport expansions would be "absolute folly". | The Liberal Democrats said airport expansions would be "absolute folly". |
| Planning refusal | Planning refusal |
| The White Paper proposed a new runway at Stansted by 2011-12 and a third runway at Heathrow, subject to meeting environmental targets, around the middle of the next decade. | The White Paper proposed a new runway at Stansted by 2011-12 and a third runway at Heathrow, subject to meeting environmental targets, around the middle of the next decade. |
| The Stansted timetable has slipped and there was a further complication last month when Uttlesford Council turned down airport owner BAA's planning application to increase passenger numbers to 35 million a year. | The Stansted timetable has slipped and there was a further complication last month when Uttlesford Council turned down airport owner BAA's planning application to increase passenger numbers to 35 million a year. |
| Aviation should meet its climate change costs and should limit noise and pollution Douglas AlexanderTransport Secretary | Aviation should meet its climate change costs and should limit noise and pollution Douglas AlexanderTransport Secretary |
| This application did not include the new runway, for which a separate application will have to be put forward. | This application did not include the new runway, for which a separate application will have to be put forward. |
| Mr Alexander said: "There has been increasing awareness since the White Paper was published of the need to ensure that the aviation industry grows sustainably. | Mr Alexander said: "There has been increasing awareness since the White Paper was published of the need to ensure that the aviation industry grows sustainably. |
| "The government has also recognised this as a priority. The progress report confirms our intention that aviation should meet its climate change costs and should limit noise and pollution at airports across the country. | |
| "At the same time, we must ensure that the UK has the airport capacity it needs to enhance its economic performance." | |
| He announced that major aviation expansion would be subject to an "emissions cost assessment" to check whether it "is meeting its external climate change costs". | |
| It is due to consult on developing the assessment next year. | |
| The chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, Keith Jowett, said the progress report showed the aviation industry was "on course to deliver vital infrastructure". | |
| This issue is so important - not just for the future of the planet but for the future of our government. David MilibandEnvironment Secretary | |
| He said the industry "can be green and still grow" by a reduction in aircraft of up to 50% expected in the next 15 years, and by emissions trading. | |
| The recent government-commissioned Stern Review into climate change - which said global temperatures could rise between two and three degrees Celsius in 50 years - "should be a wake-up call". | |
| The government progress report comes as Environment Secretary David Miliband warned that Labour could lose the next election unless it focussed on the environment. | |
| In a speech to the Fabian Society, he will say: "There is not a big government solution to global warming. The only solution is smart government combined with motivated business and empowers citizens. | |
| "That needs a new sort of politics. That is why this issue is so important - not just for the future of the planet but for the future of our government." | |
| 'Short-sighted' | |
| This week, the Office of Fair Trading said it was recommending the Competition Commission hold a full inquiry into airport ownership - a move threatening BAA's ownership of Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports. | This week, the Office of Fair Trading said it was recommending the Competition Commission hold a full inquiry into airport ownership - a move threatening BAA's ownership of Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick airports. |
| Friends of the Earth's aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said: "The anticipated growth in air travel threatens to destroy government plans to tackle climate change." | Friends of the Earth's aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said: "The anticipated growth in air travel threatens to destroy government plans to tackle climate change." |
| Earlier this week, a letter to the Times from a number of MPs, including shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth, said the government's runway-building policy was "short-sighted and cannot be reconciled with tackling climate change and environmental protection". | Earlier this week, a letter to the Times from a number of MPs, including shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth, said the government's runway-building policy was "short-sighted and cannot be reconciled with tackling climate change and environmental protection". |
| Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: "It would be absolute folly to make any plans to expand airports in the south east of England." | Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Alistair Carmichael said: "It would be absolute folly to make any plans to expand airports in the south east of England." |