Union connectivity review
Sir Peter Hendy CBE, the independent chair of the Union Connectivity Review, has released an interim report into the transport connectivity between the nations of the United Kingdom.
The government will also consult on cutting Air Passenger Duty (APD) on internal UK flights and will commit £20 million to develop plans for upgraded rail, road, sea and air links.
The consultation will include options to change the APD treatment for domestic flights, such as reintroducing a return leg exemption or creation of a new lower domestic rate.
Transport connectivity is vital to economic growth, job creation, social cohesion and quality of life.
has been asked by the government to look at:
the quality and availability of transport infrastructure within the UK
where future investment should be targeted
Sir Peter’s final report will consider specific transport projects that could improve connectivity and will assess their feasibility and potential impact on economic growth, social cohesion and quality of life.
The review will also look to the future – considering the role of future technologies and assessing environmental impacts of current and future infrastructure.
Sir Peter will publish his final recommendations in summer 2021.
This interim report considers the current picture of transport connectivity within the UK provides a summary of feedback received from stakeholders outlines Sir Peter’s assessment methodology, which will be used to develop his final recommendations.
The final report will be submitted to the government in summer 2021 and will make a series of recommendations for future investment in transport between the nations of the UK. Better air links to England to and from Northern Ireland and Northern Scotland, including but not exclusively to and from London Heathrow, for worldwide connections for passengers and freight; including the appropriate rate of Air Passenger Duty for journeys not realistic by rail.
Jonathan Hinkles, CEO of Loganair Limited said: "We're hugely encouraged to learn of the UK Government's plan to reform domestic Air Passenger Duty. It will make a real difference to the sustainability of many regional air services, helping to ensure existing routes stay open and some of the connectivity lost since the tax was doubled in 2007 can be re-built. Loganair made strong representations to Sir Peter Hendy's Union Connectivity Review on this subject, and it's great to see these being taken on board and the proposals for change being endorsed by the Prime Minister. We've one word to contribute to the consultation about how this change should be accomplished - "Quickly"!"
