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| Tory group backs new flight tax | Tory group backs new flight tax |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A new tax on UK short-haul flights and "gas guzzling" cars are among recommendations from the Conservatives' final policy review group. | A new tax on UK short-haul flights and "gas guzzling" cars are among recommendations from the Conservatives' final policy review group. |
| The Quality of Life Group report said it was "unfair and illogical" cars and trains were taxed more than flights. | The Quality of Life Group report said it was "unfair and illogical" cars and trains were taxed more than flights. |
| It also called for a moratorium on airport expansion which it said was "incompatible with a commitment to fighting climate change". | It also called for a moratorium on airport expansion which it said was "incompatible with a commitment to fighting climate change". |
| The findings, which will be published later, are not binding on the party. | The findings, which will be published later, are not binding on the party. |
| The report, from a group headed by former environment secretary John Gummer and the environmentalist Zac Goldsmith, was the last of a series of "policy reviews" by the Conservative Party. | The report, from a group headed by former environment secretary John Gummer and the environmentalist Zac Goldsmith, was the last of a series of "policy reviews" by the Conservative Party. |
| Rail investment | Rail investment |
| It has come up with suggestions to make Britain a "world leader on green growth" - including reducing stamp duty and council tax on energy efficient homes and lower business rates for green offices. | It has come up with suggestions to make Britain a "world leader on green growth" - including reducing stamp duty and council tax on energy efficient homes and lower business rates for green offices. |
| On transport, it suggested removing the "unfair and illogical bias that taxes cars and trains more than flights" and instead investing in rail. | On transport, it suggested removing the "unfair and illogical bias that taxes cars and trains more than flights" and instead investing in rail. |
| There are about 100,000 flights a year from Heathrow to places you can get to in the same time by train Zac Goldsmith class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6992041.stm">'Too few green incentives' | |
| VAT would be introduced on domestic flights - adding an extra £29 on a return flight from London to Manchester for example - air passenger duty would be paid per flight, rather than per passenger, and upgrade the railway network. | VAT would be introduced on domestic flights - adding an extra £29 on a return flight from London to Manchester for example - air passenger duty would be paid per flight, rather than per passenger, and upgrade the railway network. |
| Mr Goldsmith told the BBC: "There are about 100,000 flights a year from Heathrow to places you can get to in the same time by train." | Mr Goldsmith told the BBC: "There are about 100,000 flights a year from Heathrow to places you can get to in the same time by train." |
| He said the key was to improve alternatives, like the railway network. | He said the key was to improve alternatives, like the railway network. |
| 'Showroom tax' | 'Showroom tax' |
| The group also calls for a moratorium on airport expansion - with no new runways at Gatwick or Stansted and a reconsideration of plans for a third runway at Heathrow. | The group also calls for a moratorium on airport expansion - with no new runways at Gatwick or Stansted and a reconsideration of plans for a third runway at Heathrow. |
| Other suggestions include a "showroom tax" with larger, less fuel efficient cars would pay more and cleaner, small cars would get VAT relief. | Other suggestions include a "showroom tax" with larger, less fuel efficient cars would pay more and cleaner, small cars would get VAT relief. |
| BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said it would be up to party leader David Cameron to prove that asking people to pay more to fly or buy a new car could be sold to the electorate. | BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson said it would be up to party leader David Cameron to prove that asking people to pay more to fly or buy a new car could be sold to the electorate. |
| Mr Goldsmith said the proposals were a "balance of carrots and sticks". | Mr Goldsmith said the proposals were a "balance of carrots and sticks". |
| But Chief Secretary to the Treasury Andy Burnham said the Conservatives had been saying green taxes would fund their policies but added: "By our reckoning there is a rather large hole in their financial plans." | But Chief Secretary to the Treasury Andy Burnham said the Conservatives had been saying green taxes would fund their policies but added: "By our reckoning there is a rather large hole in their financial plans." |
| The full findings of the report will be published on Thursday. | The full findings of the report will be published on Thursday. |