Any plans to expand Heathrow Airport would be subject to “proper consultation,” the Environment Secretary has said, signalling the Government’s intention to back proposals for a third runway. Steve Reed suggested “mitigations” could be considered in order to make the project work as he was questioned about how to balance Labour’s search for economic growth with environmental concerns.
In a discussion at the Fabian Society’s new year conference, Mr Reed was asked whether the expansion could be achieved in a way that honours the UK’s climate commitments. “Of course, it’s speculation that you’re talking about,” he said. “But if there were any proposal like that, then there would be a proper consultation, hopefully not lasting decades as it has done previously because you don’t have to take that amount of time to get to good decisions.
“But it would take into account all of those factors, mitigations, what we would need to do to make sure that it could work.”. Referring to his previous voting record on the issue, he claimed he had rejected proposals to expand Heathrow in the past “because I was in favour of expanding Gatwick because it would provide economic growth that would benefit South London, where my constituency is.”.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to use a speech on growth next week to support the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport, in west London, and to endorse expansion at both Gatwick and Luton. Senior Labour figures, including some of her Cabinet colleagues – and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – have opposed the plans in the past, while the aviation industry and business chiefs have consistently been in favour.
