• Bookstore

The AOA Chief Executive, Keith Jowett, has criticised a leaked Conservative proposal, that increases tax on aviation, as ?an unworkable bureaucratic mess,? which will have ?almost no environmental effect,? and amounts to a policy of ?tough on travel, tough on the causes of travel.?

Meanwhile, the ACEA Board, consisting of thirteen motor manufacturers' CEOs, ?reiterated that the target of 130 grammes CO2 per kilometre by 2012 through vehicle technology only, as proposed by the European Commission, is not feasible.?

Both organisations threaten job losses if emissions are not handled their way. The aviation industry employ 600,000 people in the UK, and the European industry employs 2.3 million people.

Do these organisations have grounds for their complaints? The trouble with the 'but there will be job losses' complaint is that history has proven that we move on (slave trade, health & safety ? especially in the mines, child-workers, minimum wage). Where old jobs go, new jobs are created. The United Kingdom is enjoying record employment rates despite the minimum wage; children now have the real opportunity to improve their lives through education adding to our national wealth.

In truth, everyone is going to have to accept some modification in their lifestyles over the next decade or two. Fuel will cost more; technologies will need to be developed; it will cost more to travel, there may even be limits put on the amount of travel or method of transport we choose.

Change is inevitable. Not all change is painless. Some screams will be louder than others. But change is also an opportunity, and we should be making sure that the Government is looking at nurturing the opportunity to develop new industry and a sustainable society, rather than seek another excuse to tax us.

Comments (0)

Add your Comment