Airports across the UK could be expanded, including the controversial third runway at Heathrow under government growth plans.
\nThe Treasury is also looking at whether to approve a second runway at Gatwick and increase capacity at Luton airport.
\nChancellor Rachel Reeves said she is “not going to comment on leaks” when asked in the House of Commons about the expansion.
\nThe Labour government has made economic growth a key part of its strategy, with Reeves pledging to go “further and faster”.
\nReeves could make an announcement on airports next week in a speech, the BBC understands.
\nAsked about whether she supports a proposed third runway at Heathrow, Reeves said: “What I would say is this government is absolutely committed to growing our economy and making this a great place for businesses to invest and trade in.”
\nReeves will arrive in Davos later on Tuesday for the World Economic Forum, where she will say that the UK is “on the up” as she meets business leaders and investors from around the world.
\nA government spokesperson told the BBC it does “not comment on speculation” but that it is “determined to get our economy moving and secure the long-term future of the UK’s aviation sector”.
\nThey added: “All expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, which is central to our Plan for Change, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations.”
\nThe push for growth has become more urgent after international markets cast doubt on the credibility of the UK’s economic plans, with UK borrowing costs soaring and the pound falling.
\nThe boss of Heathrow Airport, Thomas Woldbye, said in December that his company needs a “clear steer” from the new government by the end of 2025 over expanding the airport and building a third runway.
\nThe government is due to make a decision on Gatwick airport by 27 February.
\nGatwick wants to increase its capacity to 75 million passengers per year, according to previously published plans. Pre-covid, its record was 47 million.
\nGatwick is aiming to complete the project by the end of the decade if it goes ahead.
\nMeanwhile, a decision on Luton airport’s expansion, which includes plans for a new terminal, is due by 3 April.
\nAirport development was delayed under the previous Conservative government because of environmental concerns and objections from neighbouring communities over noise.
\nHeathrow’s push for a third runway has been divisive for the Labour party in the past, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer voting against the measure in 2018 while Reeves supported it.
\nIf any airport expansions were to go ahead, they would prove “vital” to the UK’s business growth, said director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland.
\nShe added that all three projects would “help boost trade” at a time of increased costs for many businesses.
\n“These airport proposals must form a key part of the UK’s long-term infrastructure strategy to help businesses grow, trade and thrive,” she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Airports across the UK could be expanded, including the controversial third runway at Heathrow under government growth plans. The Treasury is also looking at whether to approve a second runway at Gatwick and increase capacity at Luton airport. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she is “not going to comment on leaks” when asked in the House …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19713,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":null,"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[96,102,88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aviation-world","category-featured-en","category-flights"],"yoast_head":"\n