ABTA backs new transport minister

Posted 19/10/2011

ABTA has today welcomed the appointment of Justine Greening as the new secretary of state for transport.

Greening replaces Philip Hammond at the Department for Transport following his move to the Ministry of Defence in last week's Government reshuffle.

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "The industry is at a critical juncture as we await the Government's final position on ATOL reform and as it begins to renew its aviation policy.

“Justine Greening is not new to transport policy and in her last role was responsible for reforming Air Passenger Duty.

"Justine Greening demonstrated a clear grasp of our sector when she appeared at ABTA's Travel Matters conference this year. She spoke clearly about the Government's position on aviation duty and we look forward to the same forensic approach being applied to transport policy.

“She knows that our sector is critically important to the UK economy. We also look forward to working closely with her on ATOL reform in the coming weeks and months."

ABTA is expecting the DfT to publish its final position on ATOL reform shortly.

"In addition to a new Secretary of State for Transport our sector also has a new ninister at the Treasury, Chloe Smithm, responsible for APD,” said ABTA head of public affairs Luke Pollard.


By Diane Evans

Originally published 19 Oct 2011 at: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/398/f/5923/s/195d5c80/l/0L0Stravelmole0N0Cstories0C11498280Bphp0Dmpnlog0F1/story01.htm