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Heathrow airport: government to announce decision on third runway Heathrow airport: government to announce decision on third runway
(35 minutes later)
The government is to announce its decision – or lack of one – on Heathrow expansion later on Thursday when David Cameron and key cabinet ministers meet to consider the Airports Commission’s recommendation to build a third runway.The government is to announce its decision – or lack of one – on Heathrow expansion later on Thursday when David Cameron and key cabinet ministers meet to consider the Airports Commission’s recommendation to build a third runway.
Heathrow’s hopes are likely to remain in the balance with the government expected to give no more than a lukewarm endorsement of the commission’s verdict, and say that further consultation and environmental safeguards are needed.Heathrow’s hopes are likely to remain in the balance with the government expected to give no more than a lukewarm endorsement of the commission’s verdict, and say that further consultation and environmental safeguards are needed.
Should the government’s long-promised response fall short of backing a runway, it will frustrate the aviation industry and many in business, who fear that a decision is again being kicked into the long grass by the prime minister, who established the commission in 2012 to give an expert decision.Should the government’s long-promised response fall short of backing a runway, it will frustrate the aviation industry and many in business, who fear that a decision is again being kicked into the long grass by the prime minister, who established the commission in 2012 to give an expert decision.
However, it will be seized upon by campaigners – and rival Gatwick airport – as further evidence that a third runway at Heathrow is politically undeliverable, and give both sets of opponents the chance to further undermine the west London airport’s case.However, it will be seized upon by campaigners – and rival Gatwick airport – as further evidence that a third runway at Heathrow is politically undeliverable, and give both sets of opponents the chance to further undermine the west London airport’s case.
Although the commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, gave a “clear and unanimous” decision for Heathrow, Davies has moved on and the impetus appears to have waned.Although the commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, gave a “clear and unanimous” decision for Heathrow, Davies has moved on and the impetus appears to have waned.
As well as Cameron and the chancellor, George Osborne, the transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, the environment secretary, Liz Truss, the Scotland secretary, David Mundell, the communities secretary, Greg Clark, the Cabinet Office minister, Oliver Letwin, and the chief whip, Mark Harper, will also attend the cabinet subcommittee.As well as Cameron and the chancellor, George Osborne, the transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, the environment secretary, Liz Truss, the Scotland secretary, David Mundell, the communities secretary, Greg Clark, the Cabinet Office minister, Oliver Letwin, and the chief whip, Mark Harper, will also attend the cabinet subcommittee.
The business secretary, Sajid Javid, will miss the meeting because he is on a visit to India and the energy secretary, Amber Rudd, is also expected to be unable to attend.The business secretary, Sajid Javid, will miss the meeting because he is on a visit to India and the energy secretary, Amber Rudd, is also expected to be unable to attend.
The London mayor, Boris Johnson, has not been invited to the meeting and no MPs from the capital will be represented. A Downing Street spokesman said: “The subcommittee will come out with a conclusion which will go to cabinet.”The London mayor, Boris Johnson, has not been invited to the meeting and no MPs from the capital will be represented. A Downing Street spokesman said: “The subcommittee will come out with a conclusion which will go to cabinet.”
Related: David Cameron attacked for delaying Heathrow expansion decision
Cameron has been repeatedly reminded of his pre-election pledge from 2009 to rule out another runway, and he faces cabinet opposition from ministers representing west London seats, as well as the likely resignation as an MP of London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith should Heathrow expansion be approved.Cameron has been repeatedly reminded of his pre-election pledge from 2009 to rule out another runway, and he faces cabinet opposition from ministers representing west London seats, as well as the likely resignation as an MP of London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith should Heathrow expansion be approved.
A recent report from the Commons environmental audit committee has given more political cover for a delay of up to six months, until after the London mayoral election. MPs warned that unless Heathrow could demonstrate its environmental conditions could be met, the decision would be open to legal challenge.A recent report from the Commons environmental audit committee has given more political cover for a delay of up to six months, until after the London mayoral election. MPs warned that unless Heathrow could demonstrate its environmental conditions could be met, the decision would be open to legal challenge.
Business leaders and trade unions have all urged the government not to delay further in implementing the commission’s recommendation. The British Chambers of Commerce, London First, Unite and the TUC have written to Downing Street highlighting expansion as “fundamental to securing the UK’s long-term growth”.Business leaders and trade unions have all urged the government not to delay further in implementing the commission’s recommendation. The British Chambers of Commerce, London First, Unite and the TUC have written to Downing Street highlighting expansion as “fundamental to securing the UK’s long-term growth”.
Heathrow’s chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “The message to the prime minister this week is clear: expand Heathrow and unlock growth across the country. Businesses and unions, regions and local communities, politicians from all parties want certainty and to get on with Heathrow’s new plan. We’re ready to deliver the hub capacity this country needs. We will work with the government to make it happen.”Heathrow’s chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “The message to the prime minister this week is clear: expand Heathrow and unlock growth across the country. Businesses and unions, regions and local communities, politicians from all parties want certainty and to get on with Heathrow’s new plan. We’re ready to deliver the hub capacity this country needs. We will work with the government to make it happen.”
But John Stewart, the chair of local opponents Hacan, said the expected delay would “reinforce once again that a third runway at Heathrow is just not deliverable. There are far too many problems for it ever to see the light of day, and the sensible thing would be for the government to accept that fact and drop any plans for a third runway.”But John Stewart, the chair of local opponents Hacan, said the expected delay would “reinforce once again that a third runway at Heathrow is just not deliverable. There are far too many problems for it ever to see the light of day, and the sensible thing would be for the government to accept that fact and drop any plans for a third runway.”
The move could further heighten the hopes of Gatwick airport – and fears of its neighbours – that its own plans for a second runway could be back on the table, as the easier option for the government, even if the commission and most in aviation said it would not bring the same level of economic growth or benefits.The move could further heighten the hopes of Gatwick airport – and fears of its neighbours – that its own plans for a second runway could be back on the table, as the easier option for the government, even if the commission and most in aviation said it would not bring the same level of economic growth or benefits.