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Airports expansion decision 'next year' Airports expansion decision to be made next week
(35 minutes later)
A final decision on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick will not be taken for another year, it has emerged. The government will next week announce its decision on whether to favour expanding either Heathrow or Gatwick airport, after decades of delays.
Prime Minister Theresa May has told Cabinet colleagues in a letter that a ruling would be made in the winter of 2017-18. Unusually, the decision will not be taken by the full cabinet but by a sub-committee, chaired by Theresa May.
A Cabinet sub-committee will reveal its preferred option next week and a "full and fair" public consultation will follow. MPs will not get to vote on the decision for at least another year.
Expanding Heathrow has been strongly opposed by some cabinet ministers. Some ministers will be allowed to speak out against it for a limited period in a move being seen as evidence a third runway at Heathrow will be backed.
After next week's meeting, ministers will be allowed to make their own views known in a break with convention. Expanding Heathrow is strongly opposed by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, and Education Secretary Justine Greening.
However, they will have to ask the prime minister's permission, and will not be allowed to criticise the government in the Commons nor to "actively campaign" against the government. Allowing ministers to speak out could avert the possibility of resignations from cabinet.
Number 10 would not comment as to whether or not MPs would be able to vote freely on the matter. In a letter, Prime Minister Theresa May has told cabinet colleagues that once a decision has been taken by the airports sub-committee on the preferred scheme it will then be subject to a "full and fair public consultation" before a final decision is put before the Commons in the winter of 2017-18.
Allowing ministers to speak out could avert the possibility of resignations from Cabinet. Number 10 would not comment as to whether MPs would be able to vote freely on the matter.
'Common-sense''Common-sense'
Earlier, Theresa May told ministers at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting that a decision on increasing airport capacity in the South East had been "delayed for too long" and that it was important to now take a decision "in the national interest", her spokeswoman said. Earlier, Mrs May told ministers at a cabinet meeting that a decision on increasing airport capacity in the South East had been "delayed for too long".
The nine members of the airports sub-committee do not include Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, whose Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat is close to Heathrow, Putney MP Justine Greening or any other minister representing a London constituency. Her spokeswoman said the prime minister believed it was important to now take a decision "in the national interest".
The nine members of the airports sub-committee do not include Mr Johnson, whose Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat is close to Heathrow, Putney MP Justine Greening or any other minister representing a London constituency.
Mrs May's spokeswoman said the decision to give ministers a limited period to voice their personal views was a "mature, common-sense approach reflecting the fact that many ministers have long-held views and that ministers are also MPs and some have specific constituency issues that they have to address".Mrs May's spokeswoman said the decision to give ministers a limited period to voice their personal views was a "mature, common-sense approach reflecting the fact that many ministers have long-held views and that ministers are also MPs and some have specific constituency issues that they have to address".
As many as 60 Tory backbenchers could vote against expansion at Heathrow, where options include building a third runway, or lengthening one of the existing runways.As many as 60 Tory backbenchers could vote against expansion at Heathrow, where options include building a third runway, or lengthening one of the existing runways.
Zac Goldsmith, the Tory MP for Richmond Park, has vowed to resign from the Commons if the government approves a Heathrow expansion.Zac Goldsmith, the Tory MP for Richmond Park, has vowed to resign from the Commons if the government approves a Heathrow expansion.
The Evening Standard reported on Tuesday that the local Conservative party would back Mr Goldsmith if he stood for re-election as an independent.The Evening Standard reported on Tuesday that the local Conservative party would back Mr Goldsmith if he stood for re-election as an independent.
Airlines and business groups favour expansion of Heathrow, which offers far more direct connections than Gatwick and handles much more freight.Airlines and business groups favour expansion of Heathrow, which offers far more direct connections than Gatwick and handles much more freight.
A final decision on which London airport to expand has been years in the making.A final decision on which London airport to expand has been years in the making.
In 2009, former prime minister David Cameron pledged that there would be no new runway at Heathrow.In 2009, former prime minister David Cameron pledged that there would be no new runway at Heathrow.
In July 2015, the Airports Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies backed a new third runway at Heathrow, but did not rule out the option of expanding Gatwick.In July 2015, the Airports Commission chaired by Sir Howard Davies backed a new third runway at Heathrow, but did not rule out the option of expanding Gatwick.
Mr Cameron had promised a decision by the end of last year on whether to build a new runway at Heathrow.Mr Cameron had promised a decision by the end of last year on whether to build a new runway at Heathrow.