SASIG 2012/13 Meeting Dates
Thursday 25 October
CANCELLED: Friday 9 November 2012
Friday 1 March 2013
28 July – 3 August 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Airlines opposed to EU emissions trading set to meet
Countries opposed to the EU Emission Trading Scheme are attending a US government meeting to fight the unilateral tax.
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) sets out Network Rail’s finance and output frameworks for 2014-19
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has launched consultations to help establish Network Rail’s financial and output frameworks between 2014- 19, towards ensuring that the company delivers a safe, high-performing and ‘value for money’ railway.
To contribute to the consultations, visit: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/pr13/consultations/financial-issues.php and http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/pr13/consultations/outputs.php
Press Releases
Heathrow express strike ballot – Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT)
Rail union RMT has confirmed that it is preparing to ballot cleaning, facilities and asset management and mechanical engineering staff on Heathrow Express for both strike action and action short of a strike in a dispute over pay.
Events
Short courses:
3 – 5 October 2012 – Introduction to Air Transport Economics and Planning
7 – 9 November 2012 – Demand Analysis and Capacity Management
3 – 5 December 2012 – Introduction to Air Transport Business and Management
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4 – 10 August 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Press Releases
Devolve Air Passenger Duty to boost economy and Ease Congestion – Scottish National Party (SNP)
Devolving responsibility for air passenger duty would help reverse the historic imbalance in UK aviation policy, providing a boost for the Scottish economy and passengers, as well as easing congestion at Heathrow and Gatwick the SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson Angus MacNeil MP has said.
Deputy Prime Minister announces new jobs and investment for UK advanced engineering excellence – Department of Business, Innovation and Skills
Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing and MARKET-MATS, with the support of The Get It Group LLC, have signed an agreement to locate their advanced manufacturing campuses in the Hereford Enterprise Zone and Model Farm Ross-on-Wye, creating over 1,000 new jobs, over 10 per cent of whom will be apprentices, and increasing local spending power by £20 million per annum.
Airbus will recruit 169 apprentices and graduates in September, in addition to taking on around 600 new UK employees during 2012.
Party Conference News
Liberal Democrats release their party conference agenda
Brighton 22-26 September 2012
Events
27 September 2012 – A New Aviation Policy: What does the UK really need? – London
29 November 2012 – The EU Emissions Trading System: progress, global issues and Phase III – London
Short courses:
3rd-5th October 2012 – Introduction to Air Transport Economics and Planning
7th-9th November 2012 – Demand Analysis and Capacity Management
3rd-5th December 2012 – Introduction to Air Transport Business and Management
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11-17 August 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Liberal Democrats against airport expansion in London
Liberal Democrats have outlined opposition to a new airport or expansion in the South East of the UK, including Heathrow. The party, which is part of the Conservative-led coalition UK government, is set to rule out support for a proposed airport in the Thames Estuary and will also repeat its opposition to new runways at Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted.
The proposals will be put to party members at the Liberal Democrat conference in September (page 19, agenda). The party will call instead for an independent study to find a location for a new hub airport or an existing airport that is suitable for expansion.
New operator for West Coast rail passengers
Rail passengers from London to Scotland will benefit from a package of improvements including more trains and more seats. Transport Minister Theresa Villiers unveiled First West Coast Limited as the new operator for the ‘InterCity West Coast’ franchise.
Stop ‘pussyfooting’ and build London a new airport, Boris Johnson tells David Cameron
Boris Johnson accused the Prime Minister of “pussyfooting around” and calling him “totally mad” for delaying a decision on building a new airport to serve the South-East of England. The Mayor hit out over the delay of consultation into the expansion of airport capacity. He insisted that South-East England needed a new airport to meet rapidly growing demand, arguing that building a third runway at Heathrow would not be sufficient. “The Government needs to stop pussy-footing around. I don’t think you can rely on Heathrow,” he told the London Evening Standard.
Press Releases
RMT pledges fight for jobs and services as west coast franchise announcement imminent – Rail, Maritime and Transport union
Reaction to First Group takeover of West Coast InterCity – Rail, Maritime and Transport union
Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport responds to Jeremy Hunt, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Secretary’s calls for improved flight connections to China – Birmingham Airport
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18-24 August 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Liberal Democrats rule out second Stansted runway at Stansted Airport
The Liberal Democrats are pushing for a new strategy for aviation which they say “balances the benefits the industry brings as a driver of jobs and growth with the harm it causes to the environment”. The Liberal Democrats want better transport links to ensure the airport’s existing 35m capacity is utilised.
Members will vote on a policy motion to be put to the party’s Autumn Conference in Brighton on Sunday, September 23.
Cabinet reshuffle is driven by plans for Heathrow expansion
Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary, may be moved to another Cabinet position in a reshuffle as the Prime Minister considers allowing a third runway to be built at Heathrow. Westminster sources said David Cameron was considering moving Jeremy Hunt, the Culture Secretary, to the transport department before a major shift in aviation policy.
Political monitoring service DeHavilland has produced a Cabinet Reshuffle Briefing Paper for further information.
Party Conference News
Conservative Party Conference agenda and fringe events released
Liberal Democrat fringe guide available
Press Releases
Competition Commission welcomes Stansted sale confirmation
Passengers will be staggered Network Rail bosses are still haggling over bonuses – Maria Eagle MP, Shadow Transport Secretary
Mike Weatherley MP (Hove) calls for review of Air Passenger Duty
BAA at last concedes defeat over Stansted – Stop Stansted Expansion
BAA to sell Stansted Airport – BAA
Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport responds to calls for a review of Air Passenger Duty – Birmingham Airport
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25-31 August 2012 Parliamentary and Government News
Government News
Alistair Darling defies Miliband in support over third Heathrow runway
Heathrow expansion: Tim Yeo MP says Cameron must decide whether he is ‘man or mouse’
‘No third runway’: Downing Street rules out Heathrow Airport expansion
David Cameron will not drop opposition to Heathrow third runway until at least 2015
Virgin takes court action over West Coast mainline decision
Transport Secretary Justine Greening says Heathrow third runway not right for UK
Scottish Chambers of Commerce claim Heathrow third runway ‘would help Scottish business’
Press Releases
Virgin petition must be debated in Parliament – Tim Farron MP – Liberal Democrats
HS2 Ltd sit on Phase 2 route but fiddle a new, already outdated business case – Stop HS2
A year has been wasted because the Government rejected Labour’s offer of cross-party talks on aviation – Maria Eagle MP, Labour
Paralysis at the heart of government on aviation policy is now adding to the paralysis in our economy – Maria Eagle MP, Labour
Ministers must not sign the West Coast franchise contract before it is considered by Parliament – Maria Eagle MP, LabourThe Time is Right for a Change of Policy on Heathrow – Scottish Chambers of Commerce
Government must delay no further on airport expansion – Institute of Directors (IoD)
Media
Without a third runway at Heathrow, we’ll be grounded – Baroness Valentine, Chief Executive of London First
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June 2011-12 CAA Airport Traffic Stats (Reported in Aug. 2012)