Ministers said the sign-off of a second runway at Gatwick airport – which could be ready for use in 2029 – means approvals of major infrastructure projects are at a record level
Rachel Reeves has said families will be able to enjoy cheaper holidays after a second runway was approved at Gatwick airport.
The Chancellor said the commitment showed the Labour government will “back the builders and not the blockers”.
Ministers said the sign-off of the £2.2billion privately-funded project – which could be ready for use in 2029 – means approvals of major infrastructure projects are at a record level. The plan will mean around 100,000 more flights each year taking off from the West Sussex airport, accommodating up to 80 million passengers.
On a visit to the airport on Monday, Ms Reeves said: “Today, this Government are backing a second runway here at Gatwick.
“That’s in addition to our commitments to a third runway at Heathrow, small modular reactors and a new nuclear power station in Suffolk, backing energy projects and transport projects right around the country.
READ MORE: Gatwick airport second runway approved in major boost to holidaymakers
“This extra runway at Gatwick will mean that people going on holiday will have a greater choice of destinations, it will mean lower costs for a family holiday.
“And it will also mean more good jobs paying decent wages through this injection of cash into our economy. We said as a Government we will back the builders and not the blockers, and that is exactly what we are doing with this announcement.”
Among other schemes handed the green light since Labour came to power on July 5, 2024, are the Lower Thames Crossing, Mona offshore wind farm and Simister Island development in the Manchester area.
Giving the go-ahead for Gatwick airport’s expansion plan on Sunday brought the total in the second year of this Parliament to four, after 21 decisions were made in year one.
Keir Starmer has committed to 150 major infrastructure projects being signed off during this Parliament as part of his plan for change.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the Government is “on track to meet this target” because of “pro-growth” planning reforms.
The previous Conservative government approved 57 schemes between December 2019 and May 2024, according to the MHCLG.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed has promised to “build, baby, build” – a slogan inspired by Donald Trump ’s “drill, baby, drill” comment. “We’ve already said yes to major projects that will create more well-paid jobs providing clean power and new roads,” he said.
“We will go further to streamline planning rules to speed up new homes, data centres and businesses that will put an affordable home and well-paid job within reach of people in every part of our country.”
The Government is facing some criticism over the expansion of Gatwick from green campaigners.
Green Party Co-Leader Zack Polanski said: “Signing off on a second runway at Gatwick is a disaster. It ignores basic climate science and risks undermining efforts to tackle the climate crisis.”
Full list of projects signed off under Labour
Some 21 decisions were signed off in the first year of a Labour government – and a further four decisions have been made in the second year, bringing the total to 25, with more projects expected to be decided before the end of the year.
List of approved major infrastructure projects so far include:
o Gate Burton Energy Park
o Mallard Pass Solar Project
o Sunnica Energy Farm
o Cottam Solar Project
o Bramford to Twinstead
o Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal
o Rivenhall IVMF and Energy Centre
o Heckington Fen Solar Park
o West Burton Solar Project
o Immingham Green Energy Terminal
o North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park
o Lower Thames Crossing
o London Luton Airport Expansion
o Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm
o Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant
o Viking CCS Pipeline
o East Yorkshire Solar Farm
o M5 Junction 10 Improvement Scheme
o Oaklands Farm Solar Park
o Mona Offshore Windfarm
o Byers Gill Solar
o Morgan Offshore Wind Project
o M60/M62/M66 Simister Island
o London Gatwick Airport Expansion
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