European officials have accused airports in Britain of delaying the lift of the ban on flying with liquids.

The comments came via Brian Simpson of the transport committee, who said that UK airports haven’t begun using or installing liquid scanners because of associated costs, despite the fact that they’re ready for use and are already being used in other member states. He added that officials from the UK’s airports have put pressure on Brussels to delay the lifting of the ban.

The scanners that Mr Simpson referred to are able to detect explosive liquid substance, though come at a hefty price tag of £40,000 to £50,000 per unit. He said in an interview on BBC’s radio 5 that it was clear to his committee that the delay came not because of security concerns but rather for economic reasons.

The liquid ban was put into place in 2006 after authorities thwarted a plot to blow up flights between Europe and North America with the use of liquids inside water and soda bottles. Since then, millions of liquid containers holding more than 100ml have been left in rubbish bins at security checkpoints worldwide.

The first step lifting of the ban was supposed to begin in April but the plan was pushed back six months when EU officials said some member states weren’t yet properly prepared.