Sadiq Khan can’t stop the government’s planned Heathrow expansion from going ahead, Rachel Reeves has said.
The London mayor has been a vocal opponent of the plan to build a third runway at the London airport.
But speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Chancellor said: “I've got huge respect for Sadiq, but on this, I disagree with him, and we as a government have to make decisions in the national interest”.
Asked if he can stop the expansion from happening, she said: “No. There can be judicial reviews, but we are confident that this airport expansion will happen, that we will get the third runway built.
Asked for a timeline on the plans, which she backed on Wednesday, the Chancellor told BBC Breakfast: “We want to see spades in the ground in this Parliament.”
Pressed when flights would take off from the airport, the Chancellor added: “I think we can get that done in a decade.”
Ms Reeves support for Heathrow will see her face down Labour critics and environmental campaigners, and figures from the aviation industry have voiced scepticism about the plans.
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'
Sadiq Khan can’t stop Heathrow expansion, Reeves says
08:21
,
Jabed Ahmed
Sadiq Khan can’t stop the government’s planned Heathrow expansion from going ahead, Rachel Reeves has said.
The London mayor has been a vocal opponent of the plan to build a third runway at the London airport.
But speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the chancellor said: “I've got huge respect for Sadiq, but on this, I disagree with him, and we as a government have to make decisions in the national interest”.
Asked if he can stop the expansion from happening, she said: “No. There can be judicial reviews, but we are confident that this airport expansion will happen, that we will get the third runway built.
“And indeed, alongside the announcements yesterday, we are reforming the planning system to reduce the number of judicial reviews”.
Reeves challenged on employment figures
08:21
,
Jabed Ahmed
Challenged on payroll statistics that showed employment fell by 47,000 last month, Ms Reeves said business groups backed her plans for growth. "They said the announcements that I made were smart announcements. They backed these plans to go further and faster on delivering economic growth," she said.
After it was put to her that major supermarket chains were collectively shedding thousands of jobs, MS Reeves said others were hiring.
"There will be many jobs created an estimate of 100,000 jobs from a third runway at Heathrow, 6000 jobs through the announcement I made around an investment zone in Wrexham and Flintshire. Yesterday, the IMF have revised up the growth forecast for the UK for this year"
Watch | Under pressure Rachel Reeves issues defiant response when quizzed on Keir Starmer relationship
08:19
,
Jabed Ahmed
Government wants the UK to be a 'well connected, global country', Reeves says
08:16
,
Jabed Ahmed
Speaking to LBC, the chancellor said: “This is a nationally significant project that can increase our growth as a country can help Great British businesses export all around the world. It can help entrepreneurs wanting to access new markets.
“Heathrow is our only hub airport in the UK. 60% of freight goes from Heathrow. 70% of long haul flights go to Heathrow. But we are missing out to airports in Amsterdam and in Frankfurt, where they have embraced expansion.
“We haven't built a new runway in Britain since the 1940s we can't carry on like this. If we want to be a well connected, global country, then we need to make these investments, and that is what this government are going to do.”
Reeves: 'I will never play fast and loose with the public finances'
08:14
,
Jabed Ahmed
Speaking to LBC, the Chancellor said: “Well, I recognise that there were difficult decisions in the budget.
“Last year, I inherited a 22 billion pound black hole in the public finances. And I've always been clear, and I've said it so many times, that I will never play fast and loose with the public finances.
“I have to return that stability to the economy, and that did mean difficult decisions on spending, welfare and tax.”
Reeves signals Miliband supports third Heathrow runway
08:09
,
Jabed Ahmed
There have been previous reports Energy Secretary Ed Miliband would resign over the third Heathrow runway as he has opposed the proposal for years.
Asked whether Energy Secretary Ed Miliband was fully behind the plans, Ms Reeves replied: “Yes, we are all united as a Cabinet backing these plans.
“We know that we have to grow our economy, we can’t keep saying no to big infrastructure projects.”
Sir Keir Starmer hails ‘legendary’ John Prescott ahead of funeral
08:03
,
Jabed Ahmed
Discord grows between Chancellor and London Mayor over runway
07:51
,
Jabed Ahmed
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said yesterday he is against the decision to build a third Heathrow runway, pointing to impacts on the environment and those who live nearby.
Asked about this, Ms Reeves told Sky News: "I've got huge respect for Sadiq, but on this issue, I believe, I know that sustainable aviation and economic growth go hand-in-hand.
"There's been huge changes in how we fly in recent years; Engines becoming more efficient to reduce carbon emissions, but also this government introduced at the beginning of this year, a mandate for sustainable aviation fuel.
"That can cut carbon emissions from flying by 70%."
Heathrow’s third runway could be built and in use by 2035, Reeves suggests
07:49
,
Jabed Ahmed
Heathrow’s third runway could be built and in use by 2035, Rachel Reeves has signalled.
Asked for a timeline on the plans, which she backed on Wednesday, the Chancellor told BBC Breakfast: “We want to see spades in the ground in this Parliament.
“We have asked Heathrow to come forward with plans by this summer, and then we want to grant that development consent order by the end of this Parliament, so we can get the diggers in the ground to get this project up and running.”
Ms Reeves said reforming the planning system would meanwhile “make it easier to build big infrastructure projects, like a third runway at Heathrow”.
Pressed when flights would take off from the airport, the Chancellor added: “I think we can get that done in a decade.”
Asked if this meant planes would be using the new runway by 2035, Ms Reeves responded: “That is what we want to achieve and that is what Heathrow wants to achieve.”
Chancellor wants third runway start construction during this parliament
07:47
,
Jabed Ahmed
Rachel Reeves has said she wants to see "shovels in the ground" at Heathrow Airport in the next five years.
The Chancellor told Sky News: "I think that everyone can see the determination that I have, that this government has to go further and faster to deliver that growth, to show Britain can get things done, and can build big infrastructure projects at once again.
"And that's why we're reforming the planning system to make it easier to get these sorts of projects, like the third runway at Heathrow built."
Coming up in parliament today:
07:39
,
Jabed Ahmed
House of Commons:
- 0930 Business and trade questions
- 1030 Business questions to Commons Leader Lucy Powell
- 1130 Backbench business debates on (i) Proportional representation for general elections (ii) Future of local Post Office services
- An adjournment debate on repairs to Doncaster Royal Infirmary
House of Lords:
- 1100 Bishop of Peterborough and Baroness Levitt
- 1110 Oral questions
- 1150 A debate on tax implications of corporations shifting profits to low and no-tax jurisdictions
- A debate on new youth mobility scheme with European countries
Chancellor questioned on her tax returns
07:24
,
Jabed Ahmed
Rachel Reeves said she was not aware previous chancellors had published their tax returns when she ruled out doing so.
The Chancellor, who has now agreed to release details of her taxes, was asked about her initial claim she would not.
She told Times Radio: “I wasn’t aware that previous chancellors had released their tax return.
“I’m very happy to release my tax return in accordance with what’s happened in the recent past, and I’ll be doing that alongside the Prime Minister in due course.”
Asked if Tory leader Kemi Badenoch should follow suit, the Chancellor said: “That’s the matter for Kemi Badenoch, but the Prime Minister and I will be releasing ours.”
Analysis: Trump has given Starmer salutary lesson in the art of the deal
06:55
,
Jane Dalton
Keir Starmer hails John Prescott's 'fighting spirit' ahead of funeral service
06:45
,
Angus Thompson
Sir Keir Starmer has hailed John Prescott’s “fighting spirit” ahead of the former deputy prime minister’s funeral service in Hull.
Lord Prescott, who served as deputy prime minister under Sir Tony Blair between 1997 and 2007, died on November 20 last year aged 86 in a nursing home where he had been living with Alzheimer’s.
More than 300 family members, friends and colleagues have been invited to the service at Hull Minster.
Senior figures from the past and current Labour governments are expected to attend.
Hosted by the Rev Canon Dominic Black, the service will include singing from the Choral-Hull children’s choir, made up from pupils across the city.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The Prime Minister said Lord Prescott will be remembered as a “man who stood up for working people” and “fought for what he believed in”.
Sir Keir said: “John Prescott’s funeral is a moment to reflect on his legacy alongside those that loved him most.
“Since his death, I have been moved to hear countless people relate their stories of John – tales of characteristic generosity, humour and charisma.”
The history behind Heathrow’s third runway debate
06:36
,
Albert Toth
Bosses at Heathrow Airport first sought approval for a third runway in 2003, sparking backlash after previously saying they wouldn’t. In December of that year, then transport secretary Alistair Darling expressed concerns about air pollution, but said he expected a third runway to be built within the next 12 years.
It was not until 2009 that the plan gained steam again when then prime minister Gordon Brown approved the plan. He was met by fierce opposition from fellow Labour cabinet members Hilary Benn and Ed Miliband.
Following his election victory in 2010, David Cameron formally cancelled the plans, which he had called ‘pig-headed’. But in 2012, he and his chancellor George Osbourne become open to the idea, saying they would no longer block airport bosses from submitting proposals.
Six years later, under prime minister Theresa May in 2018, a Commons vote backed the Heathrow expansion by 415 votes to 119 – a majority of 296. However, the idea was shut down in February 2020 when the Court of Appeal blocked the Conservative plans because ministers had failed to take into account the UK’s commitments under the 2015 Paris climate accord.
This ruling was overturned later in the year by the Supreme Court, permitting Heathrow bosses to submit applications once again. However, the impact of Covid-19 travel restrictions on the industry put all plans on hold.
Now in 2025, the idea has been backed by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government, setting the stage for construction on a third runway to begin.
Airports and bats and newts plans anger commenters
05:30
,
Jane Dalton
Ms Reeves’s plan for airport expansion and dismissal of the significance of bats and newts angered many wildlife experts and social media users.
Joan Edwards, director of policy at the Wildlife Trusts said: “Reeves seems unaware of the vital role nature plays in the UK, despite her goal to become ‘Britain’s first green chancellor’”.
Zack Polanski, Green Party deputy leader, said: “Disastrous decision on Heathrow. They're essentially saying “fly, baby, fly” to the developers who don’t give a fig about the climate emergency. The world is literally on fire and the arsonists are giving speeches.”
Countryside charity CPRE said: “ We support affordable homes near transport hubs, but expanding airports makes a mockery of net zero & threatens vital green spaces.”
Five key announcements in Reeves's growth plan
04:00
,
Jane Dalton
Numbers who think Brexit was right decision hits new low
02:46
,
Jane Dalton
London mayor vows to 'use any tool' to block third runway
00:59
,
Jane Dalton
The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan says he will “use any tool in the toolkit to stop a third runway happening” at Heathrow Airport.
Sir Sadiq insisted he is “as pro-growth as anybody in the Labour team” but voiced his concern that expansion at Heathrow is not the way to achieve growth in the economy.
Speaking on Tonight with Andrew Marr on LBC, the Sir Sadiq also praised Lord Peter Mandelson as an ‘astute and a smart appointment’ as Ambassador to the US.
Labour backlash as Heathrow dubbed 'hugely damaging mistake’
Wednesday 29 January 2025 23:59
,
Jane Dalton
Peter Mandelson backtracks on 'ill-judged' Trump criticism
Wednesday 29 January 2025 22:22
,
Jane Dalton
Ex-Reform UK Scotland leader quits after being suspended
Wednesday 29 January 2025 21:17
,
Jane Dalton
The former Scotland leader for Reform UK has left the party after she was suspended following the revelation that she was an administrator for a Facebook page that reportedly contained racist posts.
Last week, the Daily Record reported that Michelle Ballantyne was an administrator of the Reform UK Standing with Scotland Facebook group - which the newspaper said had far-right posts published on it.
According to the newspaper, the group regularly features posts about former first minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
Ms Ballantyne was previously a Scottish Conservative MSP for the South Scotland region and was leader of Reform UK Scotland from January 2021 to February 2022.
On Tuesday, she announced in the public group that she had ended her membership and had been suspended via email the previous day.
A spokesperson for Reform UK said Ms Ballantyne had been suspended as "standard practice" while they carried out an investigation.
Reform UK has previously said the group has "nothing to do with the party".
Ryanair boss launches foul-mouthed attack on Heathrow plan
Wednesday 29 January 2025 20:09
,
Jane Dalton
Michael O’Leary has hit out at Rachel Reeves in a foul-mouthed tirade, claiming the chancellor “hasn’t a clue” about how to generate economic growth.
Reeves refuses to slow rollout of new workers' rights
Wednesday 29 January 2025 18:56
,
Jane Dalton
The Chancellor has said she will not slow down the introduction of new employment rights for workers to appease businesses.
"We continue to work with business to make sure that we get those employment regulations right," Rachel Reeves told ITV's Peston.
Asked if she might phase them in over a longer period as some businesses have suggested, she said "no".
"No, but we're making sure we get them right," she said, giving the examples of changes to probation periods so businesses can "take a risk" on a new employee and banning zero-hour contracts which should allow employers to take people on for short-term contracts to cover busy periods.
Thousands will have to be rehoused to allow Heathrow expansion
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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."
How many homes will be affected by Gatwick and Heathrow plans?
Wednesday 29 January 2025 16:54
,
Alex Ross
We’ve been adding up the numbers to work out what impact the expansion of Gatwick and Heathrow will have, in terms of UK investment, environmental cost and homes impacted.
Read our piece here:
Inside the village that will be chopped in half by airport expansion
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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'
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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?
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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
Wednesday 29 January 2025 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.”
