UK Government advisors are facing criticism after saying that families should skip holiday trips abroad this year to help cut carbon emissions.

The news comes after the previous Labour government enacted measures to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions to levels seen in 2005by the year 2050. Now, a team of consultants employed by the Department for Transport have angered some by saying that British families shouldn’t travel abroad in the effort of helping the country meet its carbon emissions goals, which are now under review by the current government.

Simon Buck of the British Air Transport Association has expressed outrage at the notion and accused the Government of shaming citizens into neglecting well-deserved foreign holidays. Mr Buck asked ministers where the line would be drawn if they’re going to make people feel guilty for an annual trip in search of sunshine.

According to the DFT report, Britons currently take three holiday trips each year, roughly two thirds of which are air trips to destinations abroad. Levels of those flying for such trips have dropped slightly since 1999, due to the increase of holidaymakers using the channel tunnel and more recently due to the economic climate following the downturn in 2008.

Meanwhile environmental groups defend the say recent advice and measures aren’t enough. WWF-UK head of transport policy Jean Leston said that further indecisiveness from the Government would only lead to more environmental damage.