It’s among housing and transport schemes, new reservoirs and tech hubs which she says can drive economic prospects.
Rachel Reeves has also promised investment in electric car charging and wind energy.
Hear the moment the Chancellor voiced the Government’s support for Heathrow expansion here.
Reacting to today’s announcement on Heathrow expansion by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Paul McGuinness, Chair of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, said:
“We assume Heathrow expansion was chosen because it has become the totemic mission impossible.
“Yet, the plan is not only eye-wateringly expensive. It entails flattening villages and tunnelling over the M25’s busiest junction to increase Heathrow’s size by an area that is larger than Birmingham airport, to fly as many extra planes as Gatwick currently flies – effectively to build the UK’s second largest airport next to the first. And all in the most overflown and densely packed residential region in the UK.
“And with the slew of other expected expansions in the South East now increasing aviation capacity by 60 million passengers each year – which is more than Heathrow expansion ever offered – Heathrow expansion is now less investable and less possible than ever”.
Paul Beckford from the No 3rd Runway Coalition had this to say.
Commenting on the Chancellor backing a third runway at Heathrow in her speech toda, Paul Tuohy, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said:
“If the Government is determined to expand airports, add hundreds of thousands of additional flights to the skies and increase carbon emissions by millions of tonnes each year, then it needs to start taxing the aviation industry fairly. Unlike in many other countries, aviation fuel in the UK is completely tax free, providing airlines with a multibillion-pound tax break. With airlines now set to cash in on future flights, it’s the perfect time for the aviation industry to start paying its fair share of fuel tax with the money raised invested in clean, sustainable public transport to ensure green growth.”
GMB Union statement.
Perry Phillips, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“The Heathrow third runway expansion has finally been cleared for take-off.
“We welcome the Government’s decision and the thousands of good, unionised jobs and apprenticeships the project will create.
“The project represents a huge boost for construction skills in this country, which will be vital for future infrastructure projects.
“A new runway will enable the UK to capitalise on Heathrow’s importance as the world’s most connected airport, generating billions for the economy and demonstrating the Government’s commitment to delivering growth.
“Let’s get on and build it, without further delay.”
Commenting on the news, MP for Twickenham Munira Wilson said:
“Heathrow expansion would be bad for the environment, bad for local communities and bad for the UK’s rightly ambitious net zero goals. With both the economic and the environmental case in tatters, the Government needs to ground plans for a third runway once and for all.”
MP for Richmond Park Sarah Olney said:
“The building of Heathrow’s third runway would have significant environmental, social and economic impacts on my constituents Richmond Park, as well as on households living in the vicinity of the airport. Any plans to expand Heathrow’s capacity must be firmly opposed. The Liberal Democrats across London will continue to urge the Labour Government to back Londoners.”
MP for Wimbledon Paul Kohler said:
“We must grow the economy but we cannot do so at the expense of our environment. It is clear that a third runway will trample over our net zero commitments. The Government must change course and invest properly in sustainable transport infrastructure instead.”
MP for Maidenhead Joshua Reynolds said:
“The environmental costs of a third runway at Heathrow put both our planet and our community at risk. Labour could see this in opposition, why not now? My constituents in Maidenhead deserve growth that improves their lives and local area, not growth that will take years to deliver and lead to big increases in pollution and health risks.”
MP for Sutton and Cheam Luke Taylor said:
“A third runway at Heathrow is a bad deal for Londoners. It will have damaging effects on their health, their wellbeing and their local environment. The Mayor must now step in to protect our local communities and stand up for London.”
MP for Esher and Walton Monica Harding said:
“A third runway at Heathrow would have a profound impact on our climate, health, and communities. With a lack of clarity on the economic benefits and costs to the taxpayer, along with serious environmental and health concerns, the Government must urgently address these questions.”
The Leader of Richmond Council has today reaffirmed the Council’s long-standing opposition to the expansion of Heathrow Airport, including the construction of a third runway, following the latest announcement from the Chancellor.
Councillor Gareth Roberts stressed the significant harm the expansion would cause to local communities, already heavily affected by flight paths.
“Richmond Council has been clear and consistent in its stance: a third runway at Heathrow would have catastrophic consequences for our borough and for London. The environmental damage, increased noise pollution, and disruption to local communities are simply too high a price to pay, especially when viable alternatives exist that can support sustainable economic growth without compromising our health or our future.
“We fully recognise Heathrow’s importance to the local and national economy, but a better Heathrow does not have to mean a bigger Heathrow. Growth should never come at the expense of the wellbeing of our communities or the health of our planet. The airport has yet to present a credible plan showing how its expansion would align with the UK’s net-zero targets. It continues to ignore the ongoing issues of noise and air pollution that are severely affecting our residents.
“The Chancellor’s decision to prioritise short-term economic growth over the long-term health of our communities and the environment is deeply disappointing. This move fails to consider our climate commitments and disregards the devastating impact a third runway would have on families and households in our borough and across London.”
Last month, Richmond Council restated its opposition to a third runway and updated its policy position on Heathrow’s planned developments, including opposing any increase in night flights, challenging airspace modernisation, and supporting renewed efforts on easterly alternation.
