Government’s infrastructure plans a missed opportunity for aviation
Government’s infrastructure plans a missed opportunity for aviation
The Prime Minister’s plans for what he describes as shovel-ready infrastructure sound dynamic enough. However, if he is serious about it then he must get Heathrow expansion back on track – and quickly, says one of Britain’s biggest unions, GMB and the Back Heathrow campaign.
Expansion will generate 180,000 jobs across the UK and 10,000 apprenticeships, underpinned by recognition agreements with trade unions to protect the quality of these roles.
Expansion can be delivered with sustainability at its heart – setting new world-leading targets for an airport on air quality, noise and carbon reduction, at a time when pressure on the aviation industry is damaging the UK economy.
Warren Kenny, GMB London Regional Secretary said:
“GMB welcomes genuine investment in public infrastructure, but the PM’s announcement today is an extraordinary body swerve on the crisis in aviation. To give real confidence to an industry that has been bashed due to his weak response to the economic crisis, he should have shown proper leadership and done a U-turn on Heathrow’s expansion. This will create 180,000 jobs, 10,000 apprenticeships, and restore long-term confidence for a sector that’s on its knees.”
Parmjit Dhanda, Executive Director of Back Heathrow said:
“If confidence and growth is to return to the economy and if the government is serious about a global Britain, then Heathrow must be at the heart of those plans. This announcement has failed to recognise the importance of global trade in our nation’s economic recovery.
“By giving a commitment to build a new runway, alongside new regulations on air quality and decarbonisation, he could have set a better path for new jobs and sustainable economic growth. He failed to do it.”
GMB London Region contacts:
Gavin Davies, GMB London Senior Organiser 079 3098 3376
Trevlyn McLeod, GMB London Region Organiser 079 6813 7967
GMB London Region Press Office 079 7001 9643
Back Heathrow campaign contact:
Graham Stewart, Head of Communications T: 0203 735 9827 E: graham@backheathrow.org M: 07932 403431
Editors Notes:
Back Heathrow is a community group with over 100,000 supporters, including businesses, employees, unions, and residents. Over 50% of Back Heathrow’s supporters live within 5 miles of the airport.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/heathrow-airport-expansion
Previous GMB Press releases:
GMB send open letter to MPs to back third runway bid (11 May 2018)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-send-open-letter-to-mps-to-back-third-runway-bid
GMB welcome Parliament vote on 3rd Heathrow runway (23 March 2018)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-welcome-parliament-vote-on-3rd-heathrow-runway
GMB stress importance of getting on with third runway at Heathrow (17 January 2018)
https://www.gmblondon.org.uk/news/gmb-stress-importance-of-getting-on-with-third-runway-at-heathrow
GMB London call for consultation to be final round in go ahead for Heathrow 3rd runway (2 February 2017)
