Thursday 3 April 2014

Lack of action on Airport Commission Report is "appalling"

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has criticised the Government for its delay in formally responding to the Airports Commission Interim Report published on 17 December 2013.

Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive of LCCI said: "Originally we were told an interim report would bring forward short term measures that could be enacted swiftly to make best use of existing airport infrastructure. However we are now in April nearly three and a half months after Sir Howard Davies published his first report without progress.

"What was the point of using up resources producing a short-term report that Ministers appear to have put on the shelf? The appalling delay by the Government in spelling out what it plans to do in the short term to make capacity gains does not help to instil confidence.

"London businesses need to have a degree of certainty when planning ahead. Yet reasonable expectations, last December, that Ministers would move with pace to maximise efficient use of airport capacity seem to have been dashed.

"With the final report due in only 14 months' time, Government should publicly respond to the Commission's short term recommendations and publish a timetable to enact the measures.

"Every day of government delay could hamper Britain's export potential and deter potential new investors".

ENDS

Media contact:
Fiona Callister
T: +44 (0)20 7203 1897
M: +44 (0)7827 241528
E: fcallister@londonchamber.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITOR:

1. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is the capital's largest and most representative business organisation, with members ranging in size from multi-national companies to SMEs and sole traders
2. Colin Stanbridge is available for further comment and interview