Tory climate group urges flight taxes

Short-haul flights and gas-guzzling 4X4 cars should be hit with higher taxes, according to a Conservative policy group.

Proposals in the party's Quality of Life Group also include a moratorium on airport expansions and controls on energy-wasting household goods.

The report, by green campaigner Zac Goldsmith, was commissioned by Tory leader David Cameron to develop ideas to back up his much-advertised commitment to protecting the environment.

It says it is "unfair and illogical" that cars and trains are taxed more than flights and recommends the imposition of VAT on short-haul flights within the UK and to destinations like Paris, where a less environmentally damaging rail service is available.

Mr Goldsmith suggested that green taxes could reduce flying by enough to make further airport expansion unnecessary.

"There are about 100,000 flights a year from Heathrow to places you can get to in the same time by train," he said.

The report also offers rebates on stamp duty and council tax for people who make environmentally-friendly improvements - like roof insulation or solar panels - to their properties, with a 0 per cent stamp duty rate for zero-carbon homes.

It calls for a clampdown on energy-wasting stand-by lights as well as a cap on energy use by domestic appliances, which could see some models of electricity-gobbling large-screen plasma TVs banned.

Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said: "This is a significant set of proposals, especially on decentralised energy and energy efficiency.

"The report recognises that we can power Britain while slashing our emissions and burying nuclear power for good.

"David Cameron should adopt the proposals for a low carbon revolution as policy."

Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said: "This is an enormously important report with many innovative and significant proposals that we wholeheartedly support.

"The challenge now is to turn this blueprint for a greener future into official party policy.

"And in that regard David Cameron and his party have important choices ahead.

"Will they go with John Redwood's out-dated proposals for an old-fashioned economic policy hell-bent on growth at any cost?

"Or will they choose the route set out today, one that takes account of the quality of life and our environment?"

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