Chancellor Rachel Reeves has prompted fury with the growth plan she unveiled, including backing for a third runway at Heathrow Airport and for new roads, as well as sweeping away environmental protections in planning.
Shaun Spiers, executive director at think tank Green Alliance, warned against "growth at any cost", saying: "The economic case for bigger airports and new roads is highly questionable, and it's crystal clear that pushing ahead with these will fly in the face of the UK's climate targets.”
WWF said Ms Reeves was making a "costly mistake" with airport expansions that take decades to build and increase carbon emissions. "Now is the time to put pounds back in people's pockets by insulating homes, decarbonising power and investing in public transport," said David Walsh, of WWF.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said Ms Reeves should have scrapped air passenger duty rather than “waffle on” about Heathrow expansion, claiming increasing taxes were damaging growth.
Ms Reeves also announced backing for the redevelopment of Old Trafford in Manchester, a rail link between Oxford and Cambridge and the building of the Lower Thames Crossing. A planning and infrastructure bill will loosen environmental requirements for developers, she said.
Earlier, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch was labelled the next “lettuce” by Sir Keir Starmer as he fiercely responded to attacks by the Tory leader over planned reforms to employment law.
Key points
- Critics slate airport expansion plans that will 'drive up carbon emissions'
- Rachel Reeves U-turns and says she will publish tax return
- Analysis: Reeves talks tough on growth but stands firm on EU
- Chancellor confirms government support for third runway at Heathrow
- Sir Keir tells Badenoch she will be 'the next lettuce'
Thousands will have to be rehoused to allow Heathrow expansion
17:30
,
Alex Ross
Up to 10,000 people will have to be rehoused to make way for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, an MP has claimed.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said 4,000 properties in his Hayes and Harlington constituency will have to be demolished, as he asked the Government to release documents that helped convince some Cabinet ministers to undergo a “Damascene conversion” to support the project.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves offered her support to Heathrow expansion in a speech outlining the Government’s plan to kickstart economic growth in the UK.
The airport needs to secure approval for a development consent order to go ahead with the delayed project.
Independent MP Mr McDonnell, who lost the Labour whip last year after rebelling on a welfare vote, told the Commons: “There’s so much to be welcomed in this statement but, sadly, I believe it has been tainted by the decision on the third runway at Heathrow.
“When such a decision is made by the Chancellor, by the government, it’s important that there’s full openness and transparency so that we can explain the government’s thinking to our constituents.”
Airport expansion plans 'make a mockery' of net-zero carbon commitments
17:00
,
Alex Ross
Countryside charity CPRE said the chancellor's airport expansion plans would "make a mockery" of its net-zero carbon commitments.
Roger Mortlock, chief executive, said: "The single biggest threat to the countryside is climate change. If the government expands Heathrow, Luton, City and Gatwick airports, the increase in carbon emissions will make a mockery of its commitment to reaching net zero by 2030.
"Airport expansion will do nothing to boost UK growth. There has been no net increase in air travel for business purposes or in jobs in air transport since 2007.
"Local groups in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, London and Sussex have been at the forefront of campaigns to prevent further airport expansion. If implemented, these proposals would have a devastating impact on some of the UK’s most valuable agricultural land, vital wildlife habitats and green spaces close to millions of people’s homes."
Inside the village that will be chopped in half by airport expansion
18:00
,
Alex Ross
Six years ago, travel correspondent Simon Calder visited the village of Harmondsworth, that will be split in two under plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
Under the plan, Harmondsworth would see half its homes – and the primary school – demolished to make way for the third runway to the south.
Meanwhile, the A4 trunk road, diverted by the expansion plan, would encroach from the north.
Here’s his report:
One of the UK's biggest housebuilders reacts to Rachel Reeves' plan for growth
16:38
,
Alex Ross
As we’ve been reporting today, Rachel Reeves set out her plan for economic growth earlier.
It includes pressing forward with a planning and infrastructure bill that will axe planning red tape, meaning developers will face fewer obstacles in getting through planned developments.
She already said a new a default position will be set to approve new housing developments near train stations.
David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Redrow, told The Independent: “We welcome the government’s commitment to growing the economy and Barratt Redrow wants to support that by growing its own output.
“Bold reform of the planning system is needed for us to build much needed new homes and infrastructure to drive investment, jobs and GDP and make the country better off.
“By working together with local and central government and addressing issues proportionately we can build while supporting nature and our environment, it doesn’t need to be one or the other, but the first step is positive proactive planning, coming at these issues with a “can do” attitude.”
Expansion of Heathrow Airport a 'huge opportunity' for Scotland
16:00
,
Alex Ross
The expansion of Heathrow Airport will create a “huge opportunity” for Scotland, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce has said, with billions in investment and thousands of jobs.
Rachel Reeves has announced the UK Government’s support for a third runway at the London hub and put it at the heart of her plans to kickstart the UK economy.
In a speech, the Chancellor said the move would increase opportunities for Scottish whisky and salmon, “already two of the biggest British exports out of Heathrow”.
Scottish salmon is Heathrow’s biggest export by weight.
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Direct access to the airport’s biggest suppliers allows us to provide a pipeline of expertise, and will provide Scottish business with the credibility and leverage to secure work on other projects both in the UK and internationally.”
Lord David Cameron among first at fatal crash at the weekend
15:45
,
Alex Ross
Former prime minister Lord David Cameron was among the first at the scene of a fatal crash at the weekend.
A man in his 30s, who was driving a red Ferrari, died when the car left the road and collided with a tree near Marlingford in Norfolk on Saturday afternoon. His passenger, a woman also in her 30s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, according to Norfolk Police.
Lord Cameron, who was on a shooting weekend nearby, drove past the scene not long after the accident.
Expansion plan for Heathrow a 'reckless gamble'
15:26
,
Alex Ross
We’re hearing more from environmental groups who are opposed to the plan for a third runway at Heathrow Airport following Rachel Reeves’ confirmation the proposal had government backing.
The plan would see the number of flights increase to more than 700,000 a year.
But Friends of the Earth’s head of campaigns, Rosie Downes, warned that giving the go-ahead to airport expansion while relying on new technology such as sustainable aviation fuels would be a “reckless gamble”.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit’s Colin Walker warned that the pathway to net zero already relies on sustainable fuels, and a third runway will “increase emissions way beyond the capacity of these fuels to offset them”.
Rachel Reeves to publish tax returns - what will they show?
15:22
,
Alex Ross
As we’ve been reporting, Rachel Reeves is set to publish a tax return, in a U-turn hours after saying she did not have any plans to do so.
A Treasury spokesperson indicated that Ms Reeves will release the details on her taxes, and Downing Street has confirmed that the Prime Minister will do the same.
In 2024, a summary of Sir Keir’s return showed he paid almost £100,000 to the taxman.
Both Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt published tax figures while they were in Government, as Sir Keir did in opposition.
Figures released in February 2024 showed Sir Keir Starmer paid £99,431 in tax after making £275,000 in capital gains.
The release showed that the Labour leader paid £44,308 in income tax in 2022/23.
He also paid £52,688 in capital gains tax after the sale of a field in December 2022 partly owned by himself and partly owned by his father’s estate.
Ryanair boss says Rachel Reeves 'hasn't a clue' on delivering growth
15:06
,
Alex Ross
A stinging attack has been launched on Rachel Reeves by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary after she announced plans for economic growth this morning.
The chancellor also announced the government was supporting the expansion of Heathrow Airport.
But Mr O’Leary said Ms Reeves should scrap air passenger duty (APD) rather than “waffle on” about Heathrow expansion.
In her budget last year, Ms Reeves announced increases in APD from the 2026/27 financial year. For passengers travelling in economy on a short-haul flight, this will raise APD from £13 to £15.
Mr O’Leary said: “The UK continues to lose out on enormous growth opportunities because you have a Chancellor who hasn’t a clue about how to deliver growth, has had five years to get ready for it, and yet has managed to screw it up in her first budget.”
He added: “Nothing is designed to damage growth faster than increasing taxes on air travel.”
'We will use whatever means we can' - Sir Sadiq Khan on opposing Heathrow expansion
15:00
,
Alex Ross
The Labour mayor of London has not held back as he continued his opposition to the plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
As we’ve been reporting, chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed government backing for the expansion of the airport.
Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is among those who oppose the plans, claiming they will have a “severe impact on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets”.
And it appears he is open to using the courts to challenge the plans.
Speaking to the BBC, Khan said: “When Heathrow comes out with their plans, as I’m sure they inevitably will, we will scrutinise them carefully. And we’ll have to hold the government to task about them supporting a plan that doesn’t address the three concerns I’ve set out.”
On taking a challenge to the courts, he added: “We will use whatever means we can.”
Rachel Reeves U-turns and says she will publish tax return
14:42
,
Millie Cooke
Rachel Reeves has announced she will publish her tax return, less than three hours after saying she doesn’t have any plans to do so.
Asked about the issue after a speech in Oxfordshire on Wednesday, she said: “Chancellors and prime ministers haven’t published their tax returns in the past, and I don’t have any plans to do so.”
But just a few hours later, the Treasury confirmed that she would in fact publish her tax return.It came after Kemi Badenoch’s spokesman suggested that the Conservative leader is waiting to see what Ms Reeves does with her tax returns before a decision is made on her own.
Asked whether Mrs Badenoch would publish her tax returns, the spokesman said: “She is in opposition. And she … waits to see what Rachel Reeves does.”Pushed further on the point, the spokesman later added: “The point is we are in opposition, you can ask me this question when we form a government in four years.”
RSPB says Reeves risking UK climate targets
14:15
,
Jane Dalton
The RSPB said the chancellor’s announcements put the UK’s climate targets at risk.
Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, said: “The rock of stability on which the chancellor’s plans for growth depend has to be a healthy natural environment. Good, long term economic growth, thriving nature and net zero do not have to be at odds, yet some of today’s announcements put our climate targets at risk.
“Offshore wind is critical to addressing climate change and the announcement of new Marine Protected Areas is a positive step towards ensuring renewable energy doesn’t come at the cost of the marine environment.
“To provide investors with the certainty they need and avoid costly delays, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill must deliver an improved system fit for purpose with a strategic approach to development that builds nature into decision-making from the start, rather than pretending it’s a problem to simply be bulldozed out of the way.”
Mayor opposes Heathrow expansion over noise, pollution and climate
14:07
,
Jane Dalton
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said he remained opposed to Heathrow expansion because of the "severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets".
He said: "Despite the progress that's been made in the aviation sector to make it more sustainable, I'm simply not convinced that you can have hundreds of thousands of additional flights at Heathrow every year without a hugely damaging impact on our environment."
Asked whether Sir Sadiq's opposition made him a "blocker", a Labour spokesman said: "No, we agree with the Mayor of London that growth must come hand-in-hand with our climate obligations, and that's why the Chancellor set out that we support a third runway.
"That will be in line with our climate obligations and we look forward to working closely with the mayor throughout the process."
I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow airport because of the severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) January 29, 2025
I will scrutinise carefully any new proposals that now come forward from Heathrow, including the impact it will have on…
Critics slate reforms that will 'drive up carbon emissions'
13:40
,
Jane Dalton
Rachel Reeves’ backing for a third runway at Heathrow and road schemes, as well as pledges to reform environmental protections, drew an angry backlash.
Critics said a new runway could wipe out the benefits of the Government's clean power plan by increasing emissions.
And she faced criticism over plans to reform environmental regulations to prevent delays in development.
Shaun Spiers, executive director at environmental think tank Green Alliance, said: "The economic case for bigger airports and new roads is highly questionable, and it's crystal clear that pushing ahead with these will fly in the face of the UK's climate targets.”
Rachel Solomon Williams, executive director at the Aldersgate Group of companies, charities and other organisations pushing for ambitious climate and environmental policy, disagreed with the Chancellor's assessment that environmental protection was obstructing growth.
"Nature is fundamental to the UK's future prosperity and ensuring that it is protected and restored as part of new development will generate economic growth, increase innovation and create jobs," she said.
David Walsh, head of public affairs at WWF, said there was "no trade-off" between economic growth and net zero.
"Now is the time to put pounds back in people's pockets by insulating homes, decarbonising power, and investing in public transport," he said, warning Ms Reeves was making a "costly mistake" with airport expansions that take decades to build and increase carbon emissions.
What happens next for Heathrow expansion?
13:12
,
Alex Ross
Rachel Reeves has confirmed support for the expansion of Heathrow airport, but a number of issues must be resolved if a third runway is to be built.
The chancellor said the government was inviting Heathrow to bring forward proposals for a third runway “by the summer”.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said once these have been received, the Department for Transport will review its Airports National Policy Statement NPS).
She added that the NPS “provides the basis for decision making” on a Development Consent Order (DCO) application submitted by the airport.
The DCO process is expected to last around 18 months and will involve a public consultation on the expansion plan.
The Planning Inspectorate will consider the application and make a recommendation to the Transport Secretary, who will decide whether to grant the DCO.
If the scheme is approved, there is a strong possibility that campaigners will launch judicial reviews of the minister’s decision.
If legal challenges are not brought or are unsuccessful, Heathrow can begin construction.
MP fears 'colossal increase in immigration'
13:09
,
Alex Ross
The Prime Minister has told Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell to “talk to his leader” Kemi Badenoch, after Mr Rosindell referred to “a colossal increase in immigration”.
It comes after ONS figures showed the population of the UK was set to rise to 72. million by 2032.
Referring to the figures, Mr Rosindell said: “Who voted for that? And will the government do something to ensure that the population of this country is sustainable going forward, because there is no mandate for such a colossal increase in immigration in this country?”
Sir Keir Starmer replied: “I think he should talk to his leader, because net migration went through the roof under the last government, nearly one million quadrupled, and who was cheering it on? Who was cheering it on? The Leader of the Opposition.
“His constituents are right to be concerned about the loss of control by the last government, we’re taking control, we will bring these numbers down, but the record is absolutely clear, and it sits right there.”
Will the UK open negotiations to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention?
12:49
,
Alex Ross
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey called Sir Keir Starmer to open negotiations to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention on regional supply chains.
He said it was more important following the threat to trade posed by Donald Trump’s planned tariffs.
The Liberal Democrat leader said: “If I could turn to economic growth, the Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) has now admitted that we need to go further and faster in the pursuit of economic growth, and we agree, but the Prime Minister knows we believe that means setting aside his objections to a UK-EU customs union so our country can go further and faster in rebuilding our trading relationships with our European neighbours.”
“When he goes to Brussels on Monday, will he confirm to the House that he will open negotiations for the UK to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention, so we can start removing the growth-damaging trade barriers set up by the Conservatives?”
Sir Keir replied: “He knows in relation to the reset with the EU, which we’re determined to achieve, that we have clear red lines when it comes to the single market and the customs union, so he knows where we stand on that.”
What do Rachel Reeves’ plans for growth mean for the economy?
12:45
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Alex Ross
On Wednesday morning, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a raft of policies to boost economic growth.
They included turning Oxford and Cambridge into “Europe’s Silicon Valley”, while also backing a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
She said the plans are part of her “fight” for economic growth across the UK.
Here we take a look at what the plans will mean for the economy
Delayed hospital rebuild projects must be brought forward - Sir Ed Davey
12:42
,
Alex Ross
Now we are hearing from Lib Dem leader Ed Davey who first raises concerns he has over delayed hospital rebuild projects, including in Barnstaple, where he said a surgeon told him the hospital was like a “ticking time-bomb”.
He said the Tory government’s promise to rebuild it was a “hollow promise”, and asked the Sir Keir if Labour will bring the projects, delayed for 10 years, forward.
Sir Keir said: “I think people across the country are right to feel angry and betrayed and frustrated at the last government’s plan – non-plan – on hospitals. It was unachievable, it was unfunded, it was empty promises.
“Under them, these hospitals would never have been built. Our funded plan backed by the investment we’ve put in will deliver them.”
PM rebukes Tory leader over criticisms of Employment Rights Bill
12:36
,
Alex Ross
“She is talking absolutely nonsense,” said Sir Keir Starmer as he addressed attacks by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch on the Employment Rights Bill and Labour’s growth plans.
Ms Badenoch said the reforms would mean employees could take their bosses to employment tribunals on day one of a new job.
The Prime Minister said: “I understand she likes straight talking, she is talking absolutely nonsense. She knows that anybody that understands anything about the Bill or any employment law will know you can’t start in the morning and go to the tribunal in the afternoon.”
Employment Rights Bill will lead to higher prices for customers - Badenoch claims
12:34
,
Alex Ross
We’re hearing more than on Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch continuing to attack it in front of Sir Keir Starmer.
The legislation includes plans to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts and “unscrupulous” fire and rehire practices
The Conservative Party leader said: “All his ideas are the ones that we thought of. He needs to make sure that we deliver for growth now as well as the future. To grow our economy, we must get more people off sickness and welfare, and into work.
“Clauses eight and nine of the unemployment Bill take us in the opposite direction by increasing entitlements. Government itself, his government itself, estimates that these changes will increase business costs from £600 million to £1 billion in sick pay.
“That will mean higher prices, fewer jobs, less growth. Will he drop these measures from the Bill?”
Badenoch scolded by the Commons speaker for suggesting Starmer mislead the house
12:29
Kemi Badenoch is scolded by speaker for suggesting Starmer mislead the House over the Employment Bill.
She told MPs: “(Sir Keir) doesn’t want to talk about the Employment Bill because he doesn’t know about it. Last week, he misled the House.”
Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle said: “We can’t accuse the Prime Minister of misleading the House. No, we can’t do it.”
Mrs Badenoch continued: “Last week, he claimed to have laid down an amendment that he had not made. He doesn’t know what is going on in here or out there.”
She added: “The Federation of Small Businesses says 92% of small employers are concerned about the Employment Bill. Clauses one through six make it harder for business to hire new employees, often young people looking for their first job. This isn’t an employment Bill. It’s an unemployment Bill. Given these clauses, will he drop his Bill and show that he is not anti-growth?”
Sir Keir replied: “We believe in giving people proper dignity and protection at work. That’s why we’re proud of our record of supporting workers. They consistently vote against any protection for working people.
Kemi Badenoch goes straight to the point on growth
12:20
,
David Maddox
Keir Starmer gave a hostage to fortune yesterday when he said that if policies do not deliver economic growth then they are gone.
So it was not surprising that Kemi Badenoch should use her first two questions to tackle him on the Employment Bill with workers rights which is widely seen as anti growth.
Not surprisingly the prime minister did not want to talk about the Bill preferring to focus on the planning reforms and building projects in the chancellor’s speech today.
Given how much of a premium is being put on economic growth by both sides, this is going to be the debate going forward.
Analysis: Badenoch will not have silenced the whispers with that PMQs
12:20
,
David Maddox
Keir Starmer’s “next lettuce” remark about Kemi Badenoch struck a chord because of the whispers in the Tories over whether Kemi Badenoch can survive until the next election as Tory leader.
Ms Badenoch has had a slow start and been dogged by Reform UK surging in the polls.
While she picked the right subject today to pursue Starmer over his Employment Bill in PMQs the ponderous and long winded delivery meant she was unable to land any real blows.
The economy is Starmer and Labour’s weakness at the moment but the Tories are not really capitalising.
Sir Keir tells Badenoch 'she's going to be the next lettuce'
12:19
,
Alex Ross
Referring to a newspaper’s feature where a lettuce outlived the leadership of Liz Truss, Sir Keir joked about Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s future.
It started when Ms Badenoch continued her criticism of the Employment Bill, claiming it will be “terrible for business, but it is great employment for lawyers."
She said: "I know the prime minister loves the legal profession, but he needs to stop being a lawyer and start being a leader.”
Sir Keir responds by saying Ms Badenoch would not understand employment law.
He said: "We know she's not a lawyer. She's clearly not a leader. If she keeps up like this, she is going to be the next lettuce."
'We are not taking lectures from them' - Sir Keir to Badenoch
12:14
,
Alex Ross
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch next turns to the government’s employment bill, which she says will cost businesses £5bn a year.
The legislation will include plans to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts and “unscrupulous” fire and rehire practices which it said will benefit millions of workers.
Ms Badenoch said: “Let’s look at the Employment Bill. The government’s own figures say it will cost businesses £5 billion a year. It clearly fails the Prime Minister’s growth test. Will he drop it?”
But Sir Keir replied by running through government growth plans, including the support to a third runway at Heathrow.
He said: "She asked what we’re doing, the ONS say we got the highest investment for 19 years. PwC, second best place to invest in the world. IMF, upgrading growth predicted, fastest growing major economy in Europe. Wages up, inflation down.”
He added: “We're not taking lectures from them."
Badenoch claims chancellor's plan is a series of Conservative policies
12:10
,
Alex Ross
Tory leader starts by welcoming Rachel Reeves’ backing of a series of projects, but still claims Labour is “destroying growth”.
She said: “This morning the Chancellor embraced a series of Conservative policies, although many are welcome, they will take years to deliver.
“When Conservatives left office, we had the fastest economic growth in the G7. But what is the Government doing for growth now? It’s destroying it.”
EasyJet set to launch flights from Heathrow ‘at scale’
12:02
,
Simon Calder
The only major airport in Europe not served by easyJet is London Heathrow – but that will change if expansion goes ahead.
Kenton Jarvis, chief executive of Britain's biggest budget airline, said: “I welcome the Government’s pro-growth agenda and their recognition of the importance of aviation and the crucial role it plays as an enabler of economic growth.“
As an island nation, this industry provides much-needed connectivity as well as creating many skilled jobs which contribute to the wider prosperity of the country.
“Expansion at Heathrow will provide consumer and economic benefits and represents a unique opportunity for easyJet to operate from the airport at scale for the first time and bring with it lower fares for consumers.”
An indication of what that scale would have to look like became clear in the depths of the Covid pandemic in November 2020, when easyJet applied for 14 daily pairs of take-off and landing slots at Heathrow.
Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that assigns precious permissions at London’s main airport, awarded it none.
Among London airports, easyJet currently serves Gatwick, Luton, Southend and Stansted.
Analysis: Reeves talks tough on growth but stands firm on Labour’s EU red lines
11:44
,
Archie Mitchell in Oxfordshire
The real headline-grabber from the chancellor’s growth speech will be the controversial decision to back a third runway at Heathrow - which has already sparked a row in the Labour ranks.
But the 40-minute speech, which saw the chancellor mention “growth” 31 times, was littered with economy-boosting announcements.
After six months of stagnant growth since Labour took office, the speech sought to show Ms Reeves is serious about turning the economy around.
She deflected questions about her growth-crushing Budget measures, such as the national insurance hike which businesses have railed against as a jobs tax, trotting out the well-worn line that the Conservatives left a £22bn black hole in the public finances.
But striking was the lack of any movement on Labour’s EU red lines, which economists and business chiefs say are holding back the economy.
If the chancellor really wants to give Britain the economic boost it needs, she and Sir Keir Starmer must revisit their refusal to consider a return to the customs union as one of the biggest pro-growth moves available to the government.
Heathrow Airport welcomes Rachel Reeves' backing on expansion
11:41
,
Alex Ross
The chancellor gave her backing to the planned expansion of Heathrow, with the opening of a third runway for more than 700,000 flights a year.
In response, Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: “This is the bold, responsible vision the UK needs to thrive in the 21st century and I thank the Government and Chancellor for their leadership.
“It has given us the confidence to confirm our continued support for expanding Heathrow.
“Successfully delivering the project at pace requires policy change – particularly around necessary airspace modernisation and making the regulatory model fit for purpose.”
Ms Reeves’ asked the airport to deliver its proposals in the summer.
Nothing changes - Tory shadow chancellor says after Rachel Reeves' speech
11:38
,
Alex Ross
Following Rachel Reeves’ speech, in which she gave her backing to a series of major projects including the expansion of Heathrow, the Tories reiterated their attack on the Autumn Budget.
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: “The biggest barriers to growth in this country are Rachel Reeves, Keir Starmer and their job-destroying budget – and nothing in the chancellor’s speech proved otherwise.
“What’s worse, the anti-growth Chancellor could not rule out coming back with yet more tax rises in March.
“This is a Labour Government run by politicians who do not understand business, or where wealth comes from. Under new leadership, the Conservatives will continue to back businesses and hold this Government to account.”
Rival protest camp parks up across the road
11:35
,
Archie Mitchell in Oxfordshire
Meanwhile, a rival camp of climate protesters from Green New Deal Rising have parked up across the road from the convoy of farmers.
They are warning the chancellor against Heathrow’s expansion, with a banner reading: “There is no growth on a dead planet.”
Family farm tax protest outside Rachel Reeves' speech
11:31
,
Archie Mitchell in Oxfordshire
The anti-family farm tax outside the chancellor’s speech has multiplied, with more than 20 furious farmers and a long line of tractors now stood outside protesting Labour’s inheritance tax changes.
It is impossible to hear anything above the sound of tractor horns blaring, and the chancellor will have to drive through the demonstration to leave the venue.
Reeves' 'blinkered approach' on Europe is holding back businesses - Lib Dems
11:24
,
Alex Ross
Responding to Rachel Reeves’ speech on economic growth today, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said the chancellor should have focused on a new UK-EU trade deal.
She said: “The Chancellor’s blinkered approach on Europe is holding back British businesses and stifling growth.
“If this government was serious about boosting growth, it would start negotiating a new UK-EU trade deal with a bespoke customs union at its heart.
“This is the single biggest lever ministers could pull to turbocharge our economy. The refusal of the Chancellor to even consider it shows a worrying lack of ambition.
“After years of economic vandalism under the Conservatives, families and businesses deserve better.”
Mayor of London remains opposed to Heathrow expansion
11:21
,
Archie Mitchell in Oxfordshire
Just responding to Rachel Reeves’ backing of a third runway at Heathrow, the Mayor of London quickly gave his response on social media.
He said: “I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow airport because of the severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets.
“I will scrutinise carefully any new proposals that now come forward from Heathrow, including the impact it will have on people living in the area and the huge knock-on effects for our transport infrastructure.
“Despite the progress that's been made in the aviation sector to make it more sustainable, I’m simply not convinced that you can have hundreds of thousands of additional flights at Heathrow every year without a hugely damaging impact on our environment.”
