Rachel Reeves all but confirms she is ready to back third Heathrow runway
Rachel Reeves all but confirms she is ready to back third Heathrow runway
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Rachel Reeves has suggested that the full Cabinet should support any potential expansion of Heathrow Airport despite past opposition from top Government figures, as she all but confirmed plans to back a third runway. The Chancellor sidestepped questions on "speculation" about an imminent announcement she's expected to make regarding the project but emphasised that decisions would be taken with "full collective ministerial responsibility".
Grilled by Sunday show hosts on how Labour would reconcile its climate pledges with her growth agenda, Ms Reeves argued that advances in sustainable aviation technology mean it aligns perfectly with economic stimulation. "A lot (has) changed in terms of aviation," she declared on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg.
"There’s huge investment going on in electric planes, and also a third runway will mean that instead of circling London, flights can land at Heathrow." When pressed about whether an announcement on the airport's expansion was on the horizon, Ms Reeves teased: "Well you’ll see the plans when we set them out.".
She added: "But already this Government had signed off expansion at London City Airport and Stansted Airport. Both of those decisions, again, were decisions that the previous Government had stalled. We are getting on and delivering, that will be good for investment and trade in our country and also good for families wanting to go on cheaper holidays as well.".
Senior Labour figures, including Cabinet colleagues and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, have previously opposed expansion plans, while the aviation industry and business leaders have consistently supported them. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has criticised the proposals in the past but recently said he would not step down if the Government backed a third runway.
