Reeves backs third runway at Heathrow as she banks on planning reform for growth
Reeves backs third runway at Heathrow as she banks on planning reform for growth
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Rachel Reeves gave a major speech this morning where she confirmed she will back a third runway at Heathrow. Rachel Reeves has backed the building of a third runway at Heathrow as she made it clear she is banking on planning reform and infrastructure projects to deliver the economic growth she has promised.
![[Keir Starmer hit back at criticisms of the government’s growth plan at prime minister’s questions]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/29/12/50/Prime-Ministers-Questions-fshmeadk.jpeg)
Speaking in Oxfordshire near the location of what she hopes will become the UK’s version of silicon valley, the chancellor risked a backlash from her own party and climate change activists by making it clear she will back the expansion of Heathrow and other airports around the UK.
![[The proposed expansion of Heathrow has attracted opposition for years]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/29/11/36/IMG_5113.jpg)
It was part of a wider pitch that for too long the UK has been held up by “naysayers and blockers” preventing major infrastructure projects from going forward. Ms Reeves mocked the way a £100 million bat tunnel had added costs and bureaucracy to the much maligned High Speed 2 HS2) rail project, and warned that such delays are “unsustainable” going forward.
However, as she finished speaking senior figures in the party including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and millionaire donor Dale Vince made it clear they opposed Heathrow. Energy secretary Ed Miliband, who has long opposed aviation expansion, was noticeably absent at prime minister’s questions (PMQs) where Sir Keir Starmer hailed the speech.
But both Starmer and Reeves were also hit with questions from the Tories and others over whether they will rein back on anti-growth policies such as workers’ rights in in the new employment legislation. Sir Keir refused to back down on employment reform while Ms Reeves also failed to rule out further tax rises in a potential sign of what is to come in her spring statement as she struggles to balance the books.
