Rachel Reeves indicates support for third runway at Heathrow
Rachel Reeves indicates support for third runway at Heathrow
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Chancellor says runway would mean fewer planes circling London, and points to moves towards sustainable flying. Rachel Reeves has indicated her support for building a third runway at Heathrow, arguing that it would have environmental benefits such as fewer planes circling London.
Ahead of a major speech on economic growth this week, the chancellor made the case for Heathrow expansion and said there was “huge investment” in more sustainable aviation. Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday, Reeves did not deny that she was planning to announce an expansion to Heathrow in her speech on Wednesday.
“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,” Reeves told the BBC. “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.”.
Asked about past comments made by Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, about the impact of a third runway on the city’s air quality and progress towards UK’s net zero targets, Reeves said: “A lot has changed in terms of aviation.”. She added that “a third runway will mean that instead of circling London, flights can land at Heathrow” and that more sustainable aviation fuels were “changing carbon emissions from flying”.
