Reeves accused of ‘sacrificing nature and the climate’ with new Heathrow growth plans
Reeves accused of ‘sacrificing nature and the climate’ with new Heathrow growth plans
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Environmental groups accuse chancellor of ‘dystopian’ announcement while Labour mayor of London Sadiq Khan hits out at ‘severe impact’ of Heathrow expansion. Rachel Reeves has been accused of “sacrificing nature and the climate” with plans for economic growth that include a third runway at Heathrow, and ripping up environmental regulations which hamper construction.
![[London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is opposed to a third runway at Heathrow (Lucy North/PA)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/22/09/adec5b771cbc56ef10b469ee1733269cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM3NjIyNDAz-2.78398601.jpg)
In a major speech, following weeks of negative headlines, the chancellor insisted she was prepared to "fight" for new infrastructure, housing and commercial projects. This included tearing up regulations that limit building to protect "the bats and the newts", she said.
Laying out her support for Heathrow expansion, she said the move was "badly needed" and would “make Britain the world's best-connected place to do business". And in a defiant kick at her critics, she added: "That is what it takes to make decisions in the national interest and that is what I mean by going further and faster to kick-start economic growth.".
Non-profit organisation Transport & Environment said that Ms Reeves' announcement was “dystopian” and that airports such as Heathrow should reduce their flight numbers as the UK strives to meet its legally binding commitment to reach net zero by 2050.
Rosie Downes, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth, said the “growth trumps all” approach was “the kind of dangerously short-sighted thinking that has helped cause the climate crisis and left the UK one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world”.
