The government’s decision to delay the announcement of whether it will expand one of the London airports has been slammed by Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion.
Lucas, who is travelling to the COP21 talks in Paris, labelled the delay “unacceptable” and derided airport expansion as being “incompatible with the UK’s climate change commitments”.
Lucas, who wants the government to consider a frequent flier levy, said:
“The evidence against expansion at Heathrow is already clear cut – and delay is unacceptable when a rejection is what’s needed. Indeed endless growth in our aviation capacity is incompatible with the UK’s climate change commitments. The politics make this decision difficult for the government, but the climate science should make it easy: we don’t need further airport expansion.
“Expansion at either Heathrow or Gatwick would be bad news for local residents who will suffer enormously from increasing noise and air pollution. It’s clear that a small minority of wealthy individuals are fuelling the demand for airport expansion — not families taking an annual holiday or businesses.
“We need fairer and more honest approach to the aviation debate that rules out airport expansion once and for all. The government must urgently look into the proposed frequent flier levy as a fair way of reducing the demand for flights from those who fly the most, whilst benefiting the majority of people and protecting us all from the threat of climate change."
ENDS