Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have pressed ahead with plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, publishing a public consultation on the proposed Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). The blueprint for expansion at the west London airport has been met with criticism from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and other opponents, who accuse the government of rushing the plan amid internal political challenges.
Government Defends Fast-Tracked Process
Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized that growth is the government's top priority, stating: “We are backing the builders to get Britain moving. An expanded Heathrow would support over 60,000 good local jobs and deliver up to £42 billion in benefits to the UK, strengthening vital links and improving connectivity across the country.” She noted that the government had delivered the “fastest ever review of a national policy statement” for the Heathrow expansion proposal.
However, the public consultation will run only until the end of August, a period that aviation campaigner John Stewart described as “very much rushing it through.” He added: “It’s only two-and-a-half months, one of which is the holiday month of August.” Twickenham MP Munira Wilson accused the Prime Minister and Chancellor of slipping out the announcement “weeks before they're out of a job,” warning that local communities, the environment, and taxpayers would pay the price.
Sadiq Khan's Strong Opposition
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan is opposing the third runway based on the “severe impact it would have on noise, air pollution and ability to meet climate change targets.” A spokesman for Khan stated: “Despite progress in making the aviation sector more sustainable, he remains unconvinced that a new runway delivering hundreds of thousands of additional flights each year could be achieved without a hugely detrimental impact on the climate and environment.” The mayor is also concerned that the project could increase highway traffic, undermining years of work to improve air quality across London.
Burnham's Leadership Ambitions
The expansion plans are also facing political pressure from Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, who is seeking a return to Westminster by winning the Makerfield by-election. Burnham has made clear his intention to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership and the prime ministership. He has argued that investment should go to the regions rather than Heathrow expansion.
There is speculation that Ed Miliband, the Net Zero Secretary and long-time critic of a bigger Heathrow, could become Chancellor if Starmer is ousted. Miliband has warned that the expansion plans will not be allowed to proceed if they bust Britain’s legally-binding commitments on fighting climate change.
Heathrow's Response
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye welcomed the government’s decisions, saying: “The publication of the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement represents something Britain has often found difficult in recent years: progress. We strongly welcome that the Government has taken this next critical step. The UK cannot realise its full economic potential without an expanded Heathrow.”
The government’s plan includes a £33 billion scheme to expand the airport, increasing capacity by more than 50% to 756,000 flights a year, and involves moving the M25, which could create years of disruption for motorists.
Four Tests for Expansion
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander outlined four tests that the government will apply to decide whether the expansion should go ahead:
- Economic Growth: Expansion must deliver a credible contribution to UK-wide economic growth, with a clear plan for benefits such as jobs, productivity, and connectivity.
- Carbon: The scheme must be compatible with the UK’s legally binding climate targets, including carbon budgets and net zero.
- Air Quality: Expansion must not cause new breaches of legal air quality limits, taking account of appropriate mitigation.
- Noise: Impacts must be limited so that noise is no worse than current levels (2024 baseline), with reductions where possible.
The air quality test could spark a row given it only applies to new breaches, but Heathrow said it was already meeting all air quality legal targets. Up to 40% of the growth benefits of expansion, once fully operational, is expected to be in areas outside London and the South East.
