Reeves says growth “trumps” as he decides Heathrow’s runway

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the push to grow would “match” the government’s full commitment, as she prepared to show his support for airport expansion in the London area, including Heathrow.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Reeves he said: “When we say growth is the first mission of this government, we mean it. That means it undermines other things. ”

Reeves is expected to show in a speech next week that the government favors the expansion of Gatwick and Luton airports, while reiterating his support for a third runway at Heathrow.

Heathrow expansion has been opposed by Sir Keir Starmer and several senior Labor figures, and the issue is likely to cause a split in the cabinet.

A decision on whether to agree to the proposal will force the government to choose between its stated plans to support “growth” and reduce the UK’s carbon emissions.

Some Whitehall officials believe that Reeves, a supporter of Heathrow expansion, is trying to trick Starmer into going public with a third runway. “That is not my analysis,” said a friend of the prime minister.

Starmer, when asked about this in the House of Commons on Wednesday, refused to comment on the “forecast”, adding: “As a government we are committed to growth. We are committed to working on the aviation sector and our commitment to the weather.”

In theory, Reeves reiterated his support for a third runway at Heathrow could be the political signal needed by airport managers before they decide to go ahead with the proposals later this year.

In the last House of Commons vote on the third route at Heathrow in 2018, seven members of the current cabinet voted against it, including Starmer. The others were Ed Miliband, Steve Reed, Lisa Nandy, Darren Jones, Anneliese Dodds and Hilary Benn.

But Heathrow managers have been reluctant to revive the project without clear political backing. Miliband, who is now climate change secretary, threatened to resign over the issue during Gordon Brown’s government, while London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan also objected.

A spokesman for Khan this week said: “The Mayor has long-standing objections to airport expansion around London – relating to the negative impact on air quality, noise and London’s ability to reach zero by 2030.”

Critics argue that the huge increase in flying is not in line with the UK’s legally binding goal of achieving zero carbon emissions, as aviation is one of the hardest industries to decarbonise – although there is a growing hope to use “sustainable jet fuel”.

Downing Street said this week it still needs a third runway at Heathrow to meet its four benchmarks on carbon emissions, noise, air quality and growth. Domestic noise and air pollution issues are considered by experts to be the most difficult to deal with in busy west London.