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Night Flights: Impact on Communities
08 November 2022
Lead MP
Sarah Olney
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
NHSTaxationTransportParliamentary ProcedureMental Health
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Sarah Olney raised concerns about night flights: impact on communities in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for granting me the opportunity to have this debate on night flights at Heathrow airport. This issue has significant impact on residents in west and south-west London who suffer from noise disruption due to an increased number of flights landing through the night during delays and chaos at Heathrow. Night flights are avoidable and not essential for airport operations, hence my primary call is for a ban on scheduled flights at Heathrow between 11 pm and 6 am or else the Government must commission a full independent analysis of the impact of night flights on local communities' health, environment, and the UK economy.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Congratulates Sarah Olney for securing this debate and acknowledges the positive impact of night flights on the UK's economy and connectivity with the world, but also recognises the negative impacts on local communities' health.
Government Response
The Government acknowledges the harmful effects of night flights on physical and mental health. While the aviation sector has material value to the UK economy, the government is conducting a study on the costs and benefits of night flying, including an observational study of individuals recruited from the survey to assess the association between aircraft noise exposure and objective sleep quality. This evidence will inform future policies for managing and mitigating health impacts on local communities. The Government continues to strive for balance between negative aviation impacts and positive economic benefits brought by night flights.
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About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.