The Environment Secretary emphasizes the need for proper consultation on Heathrow’s expansion plans, balancing growth and environmental concerns.
London: So, there’s been some buzz about expanding Heathrow Airport. The Environment Secretary just said that any plans would need to go through proper consultation. This hints that the government might be warming up to the idea of a third runway.
Steve Reed, a Labour MP, talked about how they could make this West London project work while still being mindful of the environment. He mentioned that Labour is keen on economic growth but wants to keep climate commitments in check.
At a recent conference, he was asked how they could balance airport expansion with the UK’s climate goals. Reed said that if a proposal comes up, they’d make sure to consult properly this time, unlike in the past when it took ages to reach decisions.
He also reflected on his previous opposition to expanding Heathrow, saying he preferred Gatwick for its potential economic benefits for South London.
Next week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to back the third runway in her speech about growth, along with expansions at Gatwick and Luton. It seems like there’s a lot of support brewing.
However, some senior Labour members, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, have been against these proposals in the past. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, despite his criticisms, mentioned that aviation is crucial for economic growth, but it needs to fit within the UK’s carbon budgets.
Meanwhile, the re-elected Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, is still against expanding the city’s airports. He pointed out that while aviation is important for jobs and growth, we’re facing a climate crisis that can’t be ignored.
Khan raised three main concerns if the expansion were to happen: meeting carbon targets, noise pollution, and air quality. He made it clear that his stance on Heathrow hasn’t changed, and they’d consider any proposal carefully if it ever came up.
