“Airports are vital to boosting economic growth and improving the productivity and competitiveness of the UK economy. Connectivity to growing markets around the world is essential if we are to maintain and expand our export capability in the coming decades. The UK needs to have first-class infrastructure and access to the business hubs around the globe if we are to remain a top economic nation, and airports are a key requisite of this.
“Not only would expansion provide an immediate shot in the arm for the economy, especially in terms of jobs and supply chains created as a result of the construction work, it also sends out a powerful message to the rest of the world: by growing our airports, the government is signalling to the global economy that Britain is ambitious and open to business, and that we can be the strong connecting hub for all parts of global trade and commerce.
“However, such expansion should not have to come at the cost of environmental destruction. The UK has been successful in the last few decades at decoupling economic growth from environmental damage. In the past 20 years, UK GDP has grown by a fifth while greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by almost 40%. Any expansion in the UK's airport capacity needs to consider the environmental effects as well as the economic advantages."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Contact: ICAEW media office media.office@icaew.com, tom.mackintosh@icaew.com or 07866 853 841
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