SASIG 2012/13 Meeting Dates
Thursday 25 October
Friday 1 March 2013
29 September – 5 October 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Sir John Armitt’s independent infrastructure review
Shadow Chancellor Ed has announced that Sir John Armitt, the Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority, has agreed to undertake a review to consider how long-term infrastructure decision-making, planning, delivery and finance can be radically improved.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has called on the Government to accelerate work to deliver a brand new hub airport in the southeast
Mr Johnson has warned that if the new airport is not delivered in the shortest possible time then the economy of London and the UK will stagnate. The Mayor also criticised the timetable that the Government has set out for the Davies Commission, which is not currently due to report back until the next Parliament, in 2015. The Mayor believes that the programme of work is too slow and that the economy of London and the UK will suffer as a result of the delay. That deterioration in London’s international connectivity will mean the capital loses ground against its international competitors that will be difficult to recover.
Publications
Think tank, Policy Exchange publish ‘Bigger and Quieter: The right answer for aviation’ report
The Committee on Climate Change has said that aviation can increase by 60% without imperilling our global warming targets. In this context the report argues that it is sensible to increase aviation capacity in the South East. More specifically, the report argues it is sensible to increase hub capacity.
House of Commons Library
‘Taxing Aviation Fuel’ has been published
West Coast Mainline
West Coast Main Line franchise competition cancelled
The Department for Transport admitted to “significant flaws” in evaluating the relative merits of the bids received and will now have to begin the whole process again.
Press Releases
West Coast rail franchise fiasco exposes Government’s shambolic incompetence – Maria Eagle
Franchise farce shows need for public rail network following bid collapse – Plaid Cymru
European News
Party Conferences
An update on the Labour Party Conference will be circulated to the SASIG membership this week. Summary reports will be available on the SASIG website – http://sasig.org.uk/category/freepublications/. Access to these documents will require membership login.
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6 – 12 October 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Westminster Committees
Energy and Climate Change Committee evidence session – ‘Inclusion of International Aviation and Shipping Emissions in Carbon Budgets’
The Energy and Climate Change Committee will take evidence in public on the Inclusion of International Aviation and Shipping Emissions in Carbon Budgets at 10.15 am on Tuesday 16 October 2012 in Committee Room 17.
The Committee will hear from:
- Greg Barker, Energy and Climate Change Minister;
- David Kennedy, Chief Executive, Committee on Climate Change;
- Dr Andy Jefferson, Programme Director, Sustainable Aviation;
- Andrew Herdman, Board Member, Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) and Director General of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines;
- Dr Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change, WWF-UK;
- David Balston, Director of Safety & Environment, UK Chamber of Shipping;
- Rupert Furness, Deputy Director and Head of Environment Strategy; and
- Emma Campbell, Deputy Director, Environment and International Transport Economics, Department for Transport.
Business, Innovation and Skills Committee on Local Enterprise Partnerships and the Regional Growth Fund
The Committee with discuss progress on Local Enterprise Partnerships and the regional growth fund at 9.30am on Tuesday 16 October 2012 in the Thatcher Room, Portcullis House.
The Committee will hear from:
- Michael Fallon, Business Minister
Both sessions will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis. There is no system for the prior reservation of seats in Committee Rooms. It is advisable to allow about 20 minutes to pass through security checks. Committee Rooms and timings are subject to change.
Government News
London Mayor’s Aviation Advisor, Daniel Moylan, makes case for Thames Airport
Wandsworth Council urges Government to bring forward airport capacity decision
House of Lords Questions
Release of further details on the Independent Commission– Lord Jenkin of Roding – 9 Oct. 2012 (see written question – ‘Aviation’)
Independent Aviation Connectivity Commission
West Coast Mainland
Party Conferences
An update on the Conservative Party Conference will be circulated to the SASIG membership next week. Summary reports of the Liberal Democrat and Labour Party fringe events are available on the SASIG website – http://sasig.org.uk/category/freepublications/. Access to these documents will require membership login.
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13 – 19 October 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Department for Transport to provide £170 million road boost for local economies
The Highways Agency is to deliver 57 vital road improvements to boost the economy, reduce congestion and improve safety. This investment will support several local development plans, including M27 access for Southampton Airport; M18 access to Robin Hood Doncaster Airport; M5 access to Bristol airport; M42 access to Birmingham International Airport; A1(M) access to Luton Airport; and A120 access to Stansted Airport.
London Assembly Health and Environment Committee to look at curbing airplane noise and emissions
The meeting can be viewed via the webcast.
Department for Energy and Climate Change publishes “Updated short-term traded carbon values used for UK public policy appraisal”
A Government review of planning practice guidance is being undertaken by former MP Lord Taylor
Gatwick Airport to develop options for a new runway
Gatwick Airport Limited is beginning detailed work on the options for a new runway. This will be submitted to the Independent Commission on Aviation Connectivity. Gatwick Airport bosses say the submission to the Commission will be consistent with Gatwick’s commitment to the 1979 legal agreement with West Sussex County Council. That agreement prohibits Gatwick from constructing a new runway before 2019.
House of Commons Questions
Benefits of Birmingham Airport expansion – Garnier, M – 18 Oct. 2012 (see ‘topical questions’)
Urgency for Independent Commission to report its findings – Macleod, M – 18 Oct. 2012 (see ‘topical questions’)
Request to bring forward the publication of the Independent Commission’s findings on aviation capacity – Goldsmith, Z -18 Oct. 2012 (see ‘Aviation: South East’)
Policy on the amendment or repeal of the Airport Authority Act 1966 – Goldsmith, Z – 18 Oct. 2012
Plans to adapt the HS2 route to Heathrow Airport – Fabricant, M – 17 Oct. 2012
Heathrow Airport runway alternation – Goldsmith, Z – 17 Oct. 2012
Policy on Air Passenger Duty – Coaker, V – 15 Oct. 2012
West Coast Mainline
Department for Transport (DfT) announces two independent investigations will be undertaken following cancellation of franchise bid
DfT have started negotiations with Virgin Rail Group, intending them to remain as operator of passenger services for the West Coast Main Line for around 9 to 13 months while DfT run a competition for an interim franchise agreement.
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20 – 26 October 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
HS2 compensation to be ‘comprehensive’
The article notes that the first phase of HS2 will include a connection to mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. On completion of HS2 the network will include a direct link to Heathrow.
Events and Speeches
Simon Burns speech to the Airport Operators Association
A summary of this speech, supplied by DeHavilland, is here.
McLoughlin makes statement on High Speed Two compensation measures (see ‘Transport’, ‘High Speed 2’)
Westminster Debates and Legislation
23 Oct. 2012 – Lords Second Reading – Infrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill
Press Releases
UK airport trade body and business join forces to call on Government to stop dithering over aviation policy – The Airport Operators Association (AOA)
Draft Aviation Policy Framework
Bristol Airport response to the Draft Aviation Policy Framework consultation
House of Commons Questions
UK aerospace industry investment – Stephenson, A – 25 Oct. 2012
Heathrow Airport Air Pollution – Goldsmith, Z – 24 Oct. 2012
Investment in Durham Tees Valley Airport – Blenkinsop, T – 24 Oct. 2012
Reporting date of the Independent Commission on Aviation – Goldsmith, Z – 22 Oct. 2012 (see ‘Transport’, ‘Aviation’)
Extension of Crossrail Line to Stansted Airport – Goldsmith, Z – 22 Oct. 2012
Crossrail Line to Stansted and Heathrow Airport – Goldsmith, Z – 22 Oct. 2012
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Aug. 2011-12 CAA Airport Traffic Stats (Reported in Oct. 2012)