The Government has thrown its weight behind expansion at Heathrow but critics to the possible £63billion project range from airlines and environmentalists to high profile figures within Labour
Heathrow Airport has confirmed revived plans to build a third runway after Labour’s backing.
Proposals will be submitted to the government this summer, it said, in a move set to spark fresh controversy. Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently signalled support for a third runway at the West London hub as a key plank of the government’s drive to boost economic growth.
But the revival of the project is likely to prove one of the government’s biggest tests of its promise to cut red tape and speed-up the planning process. It will also set Labour on a collision course with critics within its own party, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and a vocal green lobby.
There will be big questions over the timing of the project and the eventually cost, not least because a section of the busy M25 motorway will have to be moved. The cost – put by some at up to £63billion – could be borne, as now, through landing charges that are ultimately paid for by passengers. Heathrow said a new runway would form part of a record investment programme at the airport, starting this year, to expand capacity.
The plans include a pledge to use UK steel in the construction, a move that has been given added weight in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s announcement of tariffs on steel imports to the States. Industry leaders from the UK steel sector welcomed Heathrow’s backing. An event at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant tomorrow (Wed) will see Heathrow sign a UK Steel Charter, which signals the airport’s commitment to use UK-made steel “wherever possible”.
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: “This privately funded programme will upgrade existing infrastructure while laying the groundwork for a third runway, boosting UK investment and economic growth, with tangible benefits felt this year.” He added: “A third runway is critical for the country’s future economic success, and I confirm we will submit our plans for a third runway to Government this summer. Ahead of then, as part of a phased expansion programme and supported by the Government’s clear backing, I am today confirming multi-billion-pound investment plans, 100% privately funded, to upgrade our terminal buildings, enhance passenger experience, and improve resilience and sustainability. This is vital investment and will ensure Heathrow remains globally competitive and a jewel in the country’s crown – the UK’s Gateway to Growth”
Industry Minister Sarah Jones said: “This investment is the latest in a long line of wins which our Plan for Change has helped deliver, and not only secures thousands of jobs but marks a major vote of confidence in our homegrown steel sector and this government’s Industrial Strategy. Driving demand for UK-made steel is a crucial part of our upcoming Steel Strategy, and by signing the Steel Charter Heathrow will give a huge boost to steelmaking communities across the UK and help us kickstart economic growth.”
Alex Veitch, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Expanding airport capacity is a key part of accelerating economic growth” calling it “great news for British business.” The government called Heathrow’s steel pledge a “major win” that will help secure thousands of existing steel jobs both at Scunthorpe and across the country.
Heathrow Terminal 5 used 80,000 tonnes of steel, and estimates suggest construction of a third runway could require 400,000 tonnes.
Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community union, said: “We welcome Heathrow’s support for the UK Steel Charter and the airport’s firm commitment to ensuring that the infrastructure required for the new runway will use steel made here in the UK. This is a generational opportunity to procure hundreds of thousands of tonnes of UK-made steel – boosting our steel industry and supporting high quality jobs across the UK.
“Through this work we can showcase the high-quality steel products made here in Britain to a global audience. It’s important that we seize this opportunity and use it as a springboard to ensure that other major infrastructure projects on British soil utilise UK Steel. The benefits of the expansion at Heathrow won’t just be felt in London, but across the whole of the UK.”
Andy Prendergast, GMB national secretary, said: “This is great news. An expanded Heathrow is crucial for our country’s future prosperity. The extra runway will create tens of thousands of good, union jobs, and benefit communities everywhere.”
But airlines already using Heathrow have criticised what is expected to be extras costs. The bosses of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have held talks in Downing Street with Sir Keir Starmer’s top business adviser, warning they will not back Heathrow’s third runway without a major shake-up of the airport’s landing fees.
