UK government backs Heathrow expansion plans

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has backed plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, as she looks to boost trade and tourism and kickstart economic growth.

In a speech on Wednesday morning, Reeves declared that a third runway was “badly needed” and could create 100,000 jobs, lambasting how persistent delays have cast doubts about the UK’s seriousness towards improving its economic prospects

“The last full length runway in Britain was built in the 1940s. No progress in 80 years,” Reeves explained. “Why is this so damaging? It’s because Heathrow is at the heart of the UK’s openness as a country. It connects us to emerging markets all over the world, opening up new opportunities for growth.

“Around three quarters of all long haul flights in the UK go from Heathrow. Over 60 percent of UK air freight comes through Heathrow, and about 15 million business travelers used Heathrow in 2023 but for decades, its growth has been constrained. Successive studies have shown that this really matters for our economy.

“According to the most recent study from frontier economics, a third runway could increase potential GDP by 0.43 percent by 2050. 60 percent of that boost would go to areas outside of London and the South East in creating increasing trade opportunities for products like scotch whisky and Scottish salmon – already two of the biggest British exports out of Heathrow

“As o…