Heathrow Airport's third runway likely approved amid environmental concerns

At the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this week, Chancellor Reeves emphasized her commitment to economic growth and suggested that Heathrow could play a vital role in achieving this goal: “When we say that growth is the number one mission of this government, we mean it. That means it trumps other things.”

Reeves is anticipated to approve not only Heathrow's third runway but also expansions at Gatwick and Luton airports. This move contrasts with historic Labour opposition from figures such as party leader Sir Keir Starmer and others like Steve Reed, Ed Miliband, Lisa Nandy, Hilary Benn, and Sadiq Khan.

While questioned about Heathrow's third runway in Parliament, Reeves refrained from commenting directly but reiterated: “But what I would say is this Government is absolutely committed to growing our economy and making this a great place for business to invest and trade in.”

Next week’s announcement from Reeves may provide Heathrow Airport Holdings with necessary backing to initiate construction work officially.

Environmental concerns persist regarding potential impacts of expanding Heathrow. Green Party MP Sian Berry questioned: “We must ask who these decisions would be made for and why.” She criticized reliance on advice from aviation lobbyists rather than scientists or climate committees advocating against airport expansion.

Despite environmental debates surrounding its implementation timeline projected into 2040s—the proposed third runway promises economic benefits including job creation according to reports dating back as far as 2015—raising questions whether priorities have shifted away from addressing climate emergencies towards fostering economic growth under current leadership.