Meeting of the Parliament 15 March 2016
The reference to £250 million is as accurate as some of the other statements that Alison McInnes has made. It is completely wrong.
What would have been the purpose of consulting and involving in the stakeholder group only those with whom we agreed? That is why Stop Climate Chaos is there.
We have to meet the emissions impact targets across the whole range of Government activity. It is also possible to introduce the replacement tax in a way that will have the effect of reducing emissions, not least by encouraging, if that is what is chosen to be done, long-haul routes at the expense of short-haul routes. That way, some of the most environmentally damaging short-haul routes can be cut out. This is a positive move, and it is being received very positively. We will of course take on board the views of all interest groups, including those with an environmental interest. That is why they are involved in the stakeholder group, and that is the right way to proceed.