Hi John,
During one of the biggest health and economic crises of our time, polluting companies in the UK are asking for huge government bailouts. They want taxpayers’ money – our money – to keep them going.
Billionaire Richard Branson hasn’t paid UK tax for 14 years but he’s asking for a £500 million taxpayer bailout for his airline – Virgin Atlantic. [1] Meanwhile, EasyJet is set to receive £600 million in government loans – while refusing to cancel a £170 million payout made to shareholders just weeks ago. [2]
And here’s the thing: they want the money with no-strings-attached, no promises to clean up their businesses or protect the climate, and no commitments to put their employees before shareholders and bonuses.
It’s just not on, John. That's why we've written an open letter to the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, asking him to make sure that if he gives airlines a bailout then they must protect their workers and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
We need as many people as possible to sign this letter so the Chancellor can see the British public don’t want airlines to get a free ride from this crisis. Will you add your name?
For years, the airline industry has been able to operate on their own terms. They’ve avoided paying their fair share of taxes and have dodged responsibility for their climate-wrecking emissions.
While other industries are looking to reduce their contribution to climate change, the airline industry is set to double its global emissions over the next 30 years. [3] Double! Can you imagine what that will do to our already struggling planet?
This crisis has thrown into focus just how fragile our way of life is, and that we need to build a better future for the planet and all its people.
To do that, the airline industry needs to change. Which is why we need a fairer system that taxes the people who fly the most, fewer flights, and affordable greener alternatives to flying. [4]
So, the Chancellor has a decision to make: he can allow the airlines to go back to business as usual or he can use this moment to make sure the industry starts doing the right thing for people and the planet.
Can you add your name to the open letter asking the Chancellor to make the right choice - protect people and the planet?
The current health crisis has turned many people's lives upside down. People, including those in the airline industry, are worried about their health, job security and livelihoods.
But right now it seems airlines are more concerned with their bottom line than the people who are being hit the hardest. That’s why it is so important that the government makes sure that any public money goes to the right place and helps us build a better future - for everyone.
Can you help make sure that happens? Read and sign the open letter by clicking the button below.
Thanks for all that you do.
Sam
Greenpeace UK
PS: If you’d like to read more about what the airline industry can do to protect people and the planet, here’s a blog that goes into more detail: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/the-airlines-industry-wants-a-government-bailout-heres-what-needs-to-happen/
[1] Branson to mortgage Caribbean island as he seeks Virgin bailout
[2] Easyjet seeks state loans — but pays Stelios £60m
[3] How your flight emits as much CO2 as many people do in a year
[4] Did you know that just 10% of people take more than half of UK overseas flights? So one of the best ways that the government can reduce the number of flights is by implementing a frequent flyer levy. This shifts the tax burden to frequent leisure flyers, without removing access to flights from those with limited alternatives, limited resources, or who only travel once in a while. Want to know more? Visit afreeride.org.
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