Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to back a third runway at Heathrow as part of a package of growth-boosting measures, but faces opposition from within Labour, including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The plan, which also includes expanding Gatwick and Luton airports, has been labelled 'desperate' by critics.
Reeves will give her firm backing to the long-mooted third runway at Britain's busiest airport, along with bringing a second strip at Gatwick into full-time use and increasing Luton's capacity. The announcements are expected in a speech later this month aimed at increasing economic growth, which is predicted at 1.6% this year.
Opposition has come from Ed Miliband, who is responsible for keeping the UK within its carbon budget, and Sadiq Khan, who cited negative impacts on air quality, noise, and London's net-zero target. Greenpeace UK's policy director Doug Parr said: 'Resurrecting the idea of a third runway at Heathrow smacks of desperation. The economic benefits are dubious while environmental costs are certain.'
Labour MP Clive Lewis noted that the Climate Change Committee has called for 'no net airport expansion,' calling it incompatible with the government's net-zero strategy. Reeves is expected to argue that a sustainable aviation fuel mandate will offset any expansion, requiring 2% of jet fuel to be SAF by the end of this year.
Other mooted growth schemes include the Lower Thames Crossing road tunnel and a Universal Studios theme park near Bedford. Reeves voted for a third runway in 2018, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer voted against. Heathrow is expected to reveal new runway plans later this year.
