Chancellor backs pro-growth case for Heathrow third runway

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 04:57 · Archive

Chancellor John Healey says there is a pro-growth case for a third runway at Heathrow, despite Prime Minister Andy Burnham declining to support it.

Chancellor John Healey has signalled support for a third runway at Heathrow, saying there is a pro-growth case for the £33bn infrastructure project. Speaking at the IMF in Bangkok, Healey said airports have historically been 'a big part of jobs and growth' and described economic growth as his and the Prime Minister's 'number one mission'.

However, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has avoided backing the long-planned runway, suggesting it should be 'a matter for London and Londoners'. A Sunday Times report suggested Burnham told Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander he was 'unconvinced' by arguments for the project. Healey's predecessor as chancellor, Rachel Reeves, had made runway approval central to her 'growth speech' last year.

The government will study responses to a public consultation, which recently closed, before making further decisions. Heathrow's chief executive Thomas Woldbye warned that investors could reassess their backing for the project if it does not receive the Prime Minister's support.

How it is being reported

• Third runway at Heathrow Airport would drive growth, Healey saysIt comes after the prime minister refused to say whether he backed expansion.BBC News · 17 Oct, 04:57
• John Healey signals support for third runway at Heathrow despite Andy Burnham ducking issueJohn Healey has suggested there is a pro-growth case for proceeding with a third runway at Heathrow, despite Andy Burnham's refusal to back it. The Chancellor told a meeting of the IMF in Bangkok the project for Britain's biggest airport was still viable and could be an important factor in driving business investment and growth. While the scheme was championed by his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Burnham has ducked the issue of whether the project should go ahead, suggesting it should be "a matter for London and Londoners". Now, Mr Healey has signalled his own support for the proposals…GB News · 17 Oct, 04:34
• Healey backs pro-growth case for Heathrow third runway after Burnham ducks issueChancellor says government will study responses to public consultation, with airports being ‘big part of jobs and growth’ John Healey has said there is a pro-growth case for going ahead with a third runway at Heathrow despite the prime minister declining to back it. Healey’s predecessor as chancellor, Rachel Reeves, put approval of the long-planned runway at the heart of her “growth speech” last year, saying it would “make Britain the world’s best-connected place to do business” . Continue reading...Guardian World · 16 Oct, 22:30

In this story: John Healey · Andy Burnham · Heathrow · Rachel Reeves · Heidi Alexander · Thomas Woldbye

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