UK politics – live: Reeves aiming for planes on Heathrow’s third runway by 2035 amid growth plan backlash

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Heathrow’s third runway could be built and in use by 2035, Rachel Reeves has signalled.

Asked for a timeline on the plans, which she backed on Wednesday, the Chancellor told BBC Breakfast: “We want to see spades in the ground in this Parliament.

“We have asked Heathrow to come forward with plans by this summer, and then we want to grant that development consent order by the end of this Parliament, so we can get the diggers in the ground to get this project up and running.”

Pressed when flights would take off from the airport, the Chancellor added: “I think we can get that done in a decade.”

Ms Reeves is defending her plans to grow the UK economy this morning after a backlash over the government backing a third Heathrow runway.

Her support for Heathrow will see her face down Labour critics and environmental campaigners, and figures from the aviation industry have voiced scepticism about the plans.

Official figures have shown little or no economic growth since Labour took office in July, with Ms Reeves’ Budget imposing national insurance hikes on businesses, hitting confidence and potentially costing 50,000 jobs.

But Ms Reeves gave a notably upbeat assessment of the UK’s economic prospects in her speech, saying the Government had “begun to turn things around”.

Sir Keir Starmer hails ‘legendary’ John Prescott ahead of funeral

Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 08:03

Discord grows between Chancellor and London Mayor over runway

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said yesterday he is against the decision to build a third Heathrow runway, pointing to impacts on the environment and those who live nearby.

Asked about this, Ms Reeves told Sky News: “I’ve got huge respect for Sadiq, but on this issue, I believe, I know that sustainable aviation and economic growth go hand-in-hand.

“There’s been huge changes in how we fly in recent years; Engines becoming more efficient to reduce carbon emissions, but also this government introduced at the beginning of this year, a mandate for sustainable aviation fuel.

“That can cut carbon emissions from flying by 70%.”

Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 07:51

Heathrow’s third runway could be built and in use by 2035, Reeves suggests

Heathrow’s third runway could be built and in use by 2035, Rachel Reeves has signalled.

Asked for a timeline on the plans, which she backed on Wednesday, the Chancellor told BBC Breakfast: “We want to see spades in the ground in this Parliament.

“We have asked Heathrow to come forward with plans by this summer, and then we want to grant that development consent order by the end of this Parliament, so we can get the diggers in the ground to get this project up and running.”

Ms Reeves said reforming the planning system would meanwhile “make it easier to build big infrastructure projects, like a third runway at Heathrow”.

Pressed when flights would take off from the airport, the Chancellor added: “I think we can get that done in a decade.”

Asked if this meant planes would be using the new runway by 2035, Ms Reeves responded: “That is what we want to achieve and that is what Heathrow wants to achieve.”

Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 07:49

Chancellor wants third runway start construction during this parliament

Rachel Reeves has said she wants to see “shovels in the ground” at Heathrow Airport in the next five years.

The Chancellor told Sky News: “I think that everyone can see the determination that I have, that this government has to go further and faster to deliver that growth, to show Britain can get things done, and can build big infrastructure projects at once again.

“And that’s why we’re reforming the planning system to make it easier to get these sorts of projects, like the third runway at Heathrow built.”

Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 07:47

Coming up in parliament today:

  • 0930 Business and trade questions
  • 1030 Business questions to Commons Leader Lucy Powell
  • 1130 Backbench business debates on (i) Proportional representation for general elections (ii) Future of local Post Office services
  • An adjournment debate on repairs to Doncaster Royal Infirmary
  • 1100 Bishop of Peterborough and Baroness Levitt
  • 1110 Oral questions
  • 1150 A debate on tax implications of corporations shifting profits to low and no-tax jurisdictions
  • A debate on new youth mobility scheme with European countries

Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 07:39

Chancellor questioned on her tax returns

Rachel Reeves said she was not aware previous chancellors had published their tax returns when she ruled out doing so.

The Chancellor, who has now agreed to release details of her taxes, was asked about her initial claim she would not.

She told Times Radio: “I wasn’t aware that previous chancellors had released their tax return.

“I’m very happy to release my tax return in accordance with what’s happened in the recent past, and I’ll be doing that alongside the Prime Minister in due course.”

Asked if Tory leader Kemi Badenoch should follow suit, the Chancellor said: “That’s the matter for Kemi Badenoch, but the Prime Minister and I will be releasing ours.”

Jabed Ahmed30 January 2025 07:24

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Jane Dalton30 January 2025 06:55

Keir Starmer hails John Prescott’s ‘fighting spirit’ ahead of funeral service

Lord Prescott, who served as deputy prime minister under Sir Tony Blair between 1997 and 2007, died on November 20 last year aged 86 in a nursing home where he had been living with Alzheimer’s.

More than 300 family members, friends and colleagues have been invited to the service at Hull Minster.

The funeral of former deputy prime minister John Prescott will be held on Thursday
The funeral of former deputy prime minister John Prescott will be held on Thursday (PA Wire)

Senior figures from the past and current Labour governments are expected to attend.

Hosted by the Rev Canon Dominic Black, the service will include singing from the Choral-Hull children’s choir, made up from pupils across the city.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

The Prime Minister said Lord Prescott will be remembered as a “man who stood up for working people” and “fought for what he believed in”.

Sir Keir said: “John Prescott’s funeral is a moment to reflect on his legacy alongside those that loved him most.

“Since his death, I have been moved to hear countless people relate their stories of John – tales of characteristic generosity, humour and charisma.”

Angus Thompson30 January 2025 06:45

The history behind Heathrow’s third runway debate

Bosses at Heathrow Airport first sought approval for a third runway in 2003, sparking backlash after previously saying they wouldn’t. In December of that year, then transport secretary Alistair Darling expressed concerns about air pollution, but said he expected a third runway to be built within the next 12 years.

It was not until 2009 that the plan gained steam again when then prime minister Gordon Brown approved the plan. He was met by fierce opposition from fellow Labour cabinet members Hilary Benn and Ed Miliband.

Following his election victory in 2010, David Cameron formally cancelled the plans, which he had called ‘pig-headed’. But in 2012, he and his chancellor George Osbourne become open to the idea, saying they would no longer block airport bosses from submitting proposals.

Six years later, under prime minister Theresa May in 2018, a Commons vote backed the Heathrow expansion by 415 votes to 119 – a majority of 296. However, the idea was shut down in February 2020 when the Court of Appeal blocked the Conservative plans because ministers had failed to take into account the UK’s commitments under the 2015 Paris climate accord.

This ruling was overturned later in the year by the Supreme Court, permitting Heathrow bosses to submit applications once again. However, the impact of Covid-19 travel restrictions on the industry put all plans on hold.

Now in 2025, the idea has been backed by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government, setting the stage for construction on a third runway to begin.

Albert Toth30 January 2025 06:36

Airports and bats and newts plans anger commenters

Ms Reeves’s plan for airport expansion and dismissal of the significance of bats and newts angered many wildlife experts and social media users.

Joan Edwards, director of policy at the Wildlife Trusts said: “Reeves seems unaware of the vital role nature plays in the UK, despite her goal to become ‘Britain’s first green chancellor’”.

Zack Polanski, Green Party deputy leader, said: “Disastrous decision on Heathrow. They’re essentially saying “fly, baby, fly” to the developers who don’t give a fig about the climate emergency. The world is literally on fire and the arsonists are giving speeches.”

Countryside charity CPRE said: “ We support affordable homes near transport hubs, but expanding airports makes a mockery of net zero & threatens vital green spaces.”

Jane Dalton30 January 2025 05:30