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Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal DemocratsServing the community across Uttlesford, Broomfield & Writtle |
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Lib Dem Environment Spokesman Calls for Aviation Carbon Cuts at Saffron Walden Dinner
December 14, 2006 8:57 PM
Lib Dem Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP calls for higher taxation on aircraft at Saffron Walden Lib Dems Annual Dinner.
Chris Huhne, MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary,
speaking to members of the Saffron Walden Constituency party criticised
Gordon Brown's recent Pre-budget statement for announcing increases in
the tax on air passengers rather than taxing each flight according to
the carbon dioxide emissions generated.
"In the light of the urgent need to combat climate change the Liberal
Democrats support the introduction of a tax based on the carbon dioxide
emissions generated by each flight as this will encourage airlines to
use more fuel efficient aircraft and to penalise them if the flight is
half empty. The aviation industry has to realise that they need to take
action to cut their emissions. A direct tax on passengers does nothing
to change the behaviour of the airlines," Chris Huhne told Saffron
Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at their Annual Christmas Dinner
held in Elsenham Village Hall on 9th December.
Liberal Democrat controlled Uttlesford District Council recently refused
Stansted Airport planning permission to increase the use of the existing
runway to 25 million passengers per annum on nine grounds including the
impact of aviation on climate change.
Mr Huhne, MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire, outlined the Lib Dems Green Tax
Switch strategy. "We would increase the tax on "bads" ie on pollution
from things like aircraft flights and ownership of 4X4 vehicles and cut
taxes on "goods" ie income by taking 2 million people out of tax by
raising the Income Tax threshold and doing away with the 10% rate," he
added.
Mr Huhne also answered questions on the future of the Trident nuclear
deterrent and the state of the NHS.
Constituency Chair, Melvin Caton said "Chris Huhne praised the
campaigning work of the Lib Dem controlled Uttlesford District Council
and said he looked forward to seeing the party make even greater
progress at the local elections in May next year."
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