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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/oct/25/heathrow-gatwick-airport-expansion-decision-day-politics-live
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| Heathrow or Gatwick? Airport expansion decision day – politics live | Heathrow or Gatwick? Airport expansion decision day – politics live |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| 8.38am BST | |
| 08:38 | |
| Here is a potted history of Heathrow: | |
| This is how #Heathrow grew from a tiny airfield to a major hub with 75 million people passing through each year pic.twitter.com/PMzjBslYpC | |
| 8.36am BST | |
| 08:36 | |
| Jeremy Taylor, from Gatwick Diamond Business, told the BBC it is “disappointing” that Heathrow is the frontrunner. He also said that a third runway at the capital’s largest airport is unviable, partly because of the level of opposition to it, and a decision in favour of expansion there would just be “delaying the day when we see a second runway coming to Gatwick”. | |
| Campaigners hoping #Gatwick Airport will be chosen for expansion today instead of #Heathrow express disappointment. pic.twitter.com/g9VoqUv1sq | |
| 8.30am BST | |
| 08:30 | |
| Daniel Moylan, a consultant for Gatwick Airport, described the Heathrow expansion option as “rubbish” when he was aviation advisor to then-mayor of London Boris Johnson. | |
| He ttold BBC Radio Four’s Today programme | |
| Well, I’ve always thought that Heathrow is a rubbish idea, going back the last 15 years. | |
| The pattern of history we see here is that there’s a group of people who keep batting for another runway at Heathrow. They keep coming forward with proposals, they always fail. And instead of learning their lessons, they have another go at the brick wall. | |
| 8.27am BST | |
| 08:27 | |
| One of the cabinet members opposed to Heathrow expansion has arrived at Downing Street. | |
| Education Sec. Justine Greening arrives at No.10. She's opposed to Heathrow. As has Chris Grayling, Transport Sec. he'll make announcement. | |
| Greening’s constituency of Putney, Roehampton and Southfields stands to be adversely affected in terms of aircraft noise by an expanded Heathrow. | |
| 8.21am BST | |
| 08:21 | |
| A survey of 647 UK exporters found that only 35% were happy with current provision at their local airport. | |
| Just over a third (37%) believe extra international routes at their local airport would help them sell more goods and services overseas and the figure rises to 43% among exporting businesses in London. | |
| Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, which carried out the research, says the results underline “the importance of the decision about a new runway in the south east”. | |
| Geoffrey Spence, head of infrastructure, resources and energy at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: | |
| Our survey demonstrates that connectivity is an issue right across the UK and not simply in and around the capital. | |
| There are many factors at play when it comes to British businesses reaching the government’s ambitious export targets, but being able to quickly and easily access key overseas markets is clearly one of the most important. | |
| Companies across Britain will hope that the decision over expanding capacity in the South East marks the beginning of investment to ensure the UK and its airports are not left behind by rival exporting economies. | |
| 7.21am BST | 7.21am BST |
| 07:21 | 07:21 |
| The co-leaders of the Green party, which opposes expansion at both Heathrow and Gatwick, have warned of the environment impact of today’s decision. | The co-leaders of the Green party, which opposes expansion at both Heathrow and Gatwick, have warned of the environment impact of today’s decision. |
| Caroline Lucas said: | Caroline Lucas said: |
| The government is on the brink of announcing climate-wrecking plans for airport expansion in south east England. We know that that laying more tarmac at either Heathrow or Gatwick will bust any hope we have of meeting our climate change commitments, and inflict noise and air pollution on already blighted local communities. | The government is on the brink of announcing climate-wrecking plans for airport expansion in south east England. We know that that laying more tarmac at either Heathrow or Gatwick will bust any hope we have of meeting our climate change commitments, and inflict noise and air pollution on already blighted local communities. |
| Instead of expanding these airports the government should introduce a frequent flyer levy to reduce the need for any new runway capacity and invest the money raised in further measures to offer climate-friendly alternatives to air travel. I urge ministers to look at this proposal – and hope that opposition parties can join together in opposing airport expansion and backing this sensible alternative. | Instead of expanding these airports the government should introduce a frequent flyer levy to reduce the need for any new runway capacity and invest the money raised in further measures to offer climate-friendly alternatives to air travel. I urge ministers to look at this proposal – and hope that opposition parties can join together in opposing airport expansion and backing this sensible alternative. |
| Jonathan Bartley, condemned Labour’s reported likely backing for a third runway at Heathrow. | Jonathan Bartley, condemned Labour’s reported likely backing for a third runway at Heathrow. |
| He said: | He said: |
| The Labour party appears to have fallen into line with the government on airport expansion. Despite longstanding opposition to such a move from Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnnell it seems that the party may swing behind further expansion of the busiest airport in Europe. | The Labour party appears to have fallen into line with the government on airport expansion. Despite longstanding opposition to such a move from Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnnell it seems that the party may swing behind further expansion of the busiest airport in Europe. |
| Such a cross party consensus on airport expansion is deeply disappointing. | Such a cross party consensus on airport expansion is deeply disappointing. |
| 7.12am BST | 7.12am BST |
| 07:12 | 07:12 |
| One of the arguments against a third runway at Heathrow is that the already stretched transport infrastructure in the area could not cope. | One of the arguments against a third runway at Heathrow is that the already stretched transport infrastructure in the area could not cope. |
| There’s a timely reminder of the congestion that already often blights the area this morning. | There’s a timely reminder of the congestion that already often blights the area this morning. |
| Because of the #hogarthfuelspillage the A4 is solid eastbound from Heathrow to Cranford [ro] pic.twitter.com/6UN3xCHfyD | Because of the #hogarthfuelspillage the A4 is solid eastbound from Heathrow to Cranford [ro] pic.twitter.com/6UN3xCHfyD |
| 7.01am BST | 7.01am BST |
| 07:01 | 07:01 |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| I’m now handing over the live blog reins to Haroon Siddique, who’ll cover the Heathrow announcement – whenever it comes – plus all the day’s other politics news. | I’m now handing over the live blog reins to Haroon Siddique, who’ll cover the Heathrow announcement – whenever it comes – plus all the day’s other politics news. |
| 6.51am BST | 6.51am BST |
| 06:51 | 06:51 |
| Damien Gayle | Damien Gayle |
| Environmental activists, communities and local authorities are preparing for a campaign of opposition to a third runway at Heathrow, ahead of the decision. | Environmental activists, communities and local authorities are preparing for a campaign of opposition to a third runway at Heathrow, ahead of the decision. |
| Residents of villages threatened by the expansion have already been taking part in training for direct action, activists said, while four local councils have amassed a £200,000 war chest to fight expansion through the courts. | Residents of villages threatened by the expansion have already been taking part in training for direct action, activists said, while four local councils have amassed a £200,000 war chest to fight expansion through the courts. |
| None will feel the impact of Heathrow expansion more than the residents of villages set to be partly or wholly razed to make way for a third runway. About 800 homes will be demolished, and thousands more will be made uninhabitable, campaigners say. | None will feel the impact of Heathrow expansion more than the residents of villages set to be partly or wholly razed to make way for a third runway. About 800 homes will be demolished, and thousands more will be made uninhabitable, campaigners say. |
| One of the villages under threat, Harmondsworth, has been home to Neil Keveren’s family for generations. His home will be 54 paces from the new boundary fence. | One of the villages under threat, Harmondsworth, has been home to Neil Keveren’s family for generations. His home will be 54 paces from the new boundary fence. |
| “I’ll be looking at it out of my kitchen window, and all the houses opposite me, and the ones close beside – and beside that and beside that – will be destroyed,” the 55-year-old said. | “I’ll be looking at it out of my kitchen window, and all the houses opposite me, and the ones close beside – and beside that and beside that – will be destroyed,” the 55-year-old said. |
| 6.39am BST | 6.39am BST |
| 06:39 | 06:39 |
| The Sun reports today that Theresa May’s own website did, once upon a time, carry a number of posts railing against the possibility of a third runway at Heathrow. | The Sun reports today that Theresa May’s own website did, once upon a time, carry a number of posts railing against the possibility of a third runway at Heathrow. |
| The posts, it says, were removed in 2013. | The posts, it says, were removed in 2013. |
| The MP for Maidenhead – a town that would be directly affected by any increase in flights to and from one of the world’s busiest airports – had commented in January 2009, when the then Labour government was mooting the plan: | The MP for Maidenhead – a town that would be directly affected by any increase in flights to and from one of the world’s busiest airports – had commented in January 2009, when the then Labour government was mooting the plan: |
| A third runway will result in thousands of additional flights, increased noise and more pollution for thousands of people. | A third runway will result in thousands of additional flights, increased noise and more pollution for thousands of people. |
| The website also quoted May in the Commons telling then transport secretary Geoff Hoon: | The website also quoted May in the Commons telling then transport secretary Geoff Hoon: |
| I hope that the secretary of state recognises that as a result of today’s announcement, nobody will take this government seriously on the environment again. | I hope that the secretary of state recognises that as a result of today’s announcement, nobody will take this government seriously on the environment again. |
| 6.30am BST | 6.30am BST |
| 06:30 | 06:30 |
| What happens next? | What happens next? |
| Gwyn Topham | Gwyn Topham |
| If the government approves the building of a new runway, it is likely to be another four to five years before before spades are in the ground. The government will launch a limited public consultation on the local impacts of its decision before publishing a national policy statement on aviation next year. This needs to be ratified by parliamentary vote, either in late 2017 or 2018: still a quicker process than the parliamentary machinery employed for HS2, whose hybrid bill for the first phase is yet to be passed. | If the government approves the building of a new runway, it is likely to be another four to five years before before spades are in the ground. The government will launch a limited public consultation on the local impacts of its decision before publishing a national policy statement on aviation next year. This needs to be ratified by parliamentary vote, either in late 2017 or 2018: still a quicker process than the parliamentary machinery employed for HS2, whose hybrid bill for the first phase is yet to be passed. |
| The winning airport would need to draw up a development consent order, which would include health and environmental impact assessments. A separate review of flight paths and airspace will also take place. The process should see airports submit applications for planning permission in 2019, with inspectors then recommending it to the secretary of state for communities for final approval in 2020. | The winning airport would need to draw up a development consent order, which would include health and environmental impact assessments. A separate review of flight paths and airspace will also take place. The process should see airports submit applications for planning permission in 2019, with inspectors then recommending it to the secretary of state for communities for final approval in 2020. |
| Both airports have said a new runway could be completed by 2025. | Both airports have said a new runway could be completed by 2025. |
| 6.17am BST | 6.17am BST |
| 06:17 | 06:17 |
| The Telegraph – which might not have Boris Johnson as a columnist any more but knows a thing or two about his thoughts nonetheless – says the foreign secretary is poised to open a rift within the cabinet as soon as any plan to expand Heathrow is announced: | The Telegraph – which might not have Boris Johnson as a columnist any more but knows a thing or two about his thoughts nonetheless – says the foreign secretary is poised to open a rift within the cabinet as soon as any plan to expand Heathrow is announced: |
| Mr Johnson, the foreign secretary, is expected to make a statement shortly after in which he will argue that the decision is “wrong” and a “mistake”. | Mr Johnson, the foreign secretary, is expected to make a statement shortly after in which he will argue that the decision is “wrong” and a “mistake”. |
| He will say that while he is a supporter of a “global Britain” after Brexit, an additional runway at Heathrow will increase pollution and noise levels. | He will say that while he is a supporter of a “global Britain” after Brexit, an additional runway at Heathrow will increase pollution and noise levels. |
| Johnson, on his return to parliament as MP for Uxbridge and Ruislip South in 2015, made a bold claim in his acceptance speech (it was 4.30am, mind): | Johnson, on his return to parliament as MP for Uxbridge and Ruislip South in 2015, made a bold claim in his acceptance speech (it was 4.30am, mind): |
| I will lie down with you in front of those bulldozers and stop the building, stop the construction of that third runway. | I will lie down with you in front of those bulldozers and stop the building, stop the construction of that third runway. |
| Later that year, he said he probably wouldn’t need to go that far: | Later that year, he said he probably wouldn’t need to go that far: |
| I don’t think my services as a bulldozer blocker will be required for decades, if ever, because I don’t think it’s going to happen … It won’t succeed. | I don’t think my services as a bulldozer blocker will be required for decades, if ever, because I don’t think it’s going to happen … It won’t succeed. |
| Theresa May has said that cabinet members with a longstanding opposition to Heathrow expansion – which would also include education secretary Justine Greening, whose constituency is Putney – will be allowed to speak out against any proposal to build or extend a runway. | Theresa May has said that cabinet members with a longstanding opposition to Heathrow expansion – which would also include education secretary Justine Greening, whose constituency is Putney – will be allowed to speak out against any proposal to build or extend a runway. |
| 6.06am BST | 6.06am BST |
| 06:06 | 06:06 |
| When will we know if Heathrow is to get a third runway? | When will we know if Heathrow is to get a third runway? |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| It’s … complicated. | It’s … complicated. |
| The cabinet’s airports subcommittee will meet on Tuesday morning to make a decision. We could hear after that. | The cabinet’s airports subcommittee will meet on Tuesday morning to make a decision. We could hear after that. |
| Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, will make a statement to MPs in the House of Commons at 12.30pm – so we should certainly be sure by then. | Chris Grayling, the transport secretary, will make a statement to MPs in the House of Commons at 12.30pm – so we should certainly be sure by then. |
| However, in December 2013 and July 2015, when the interim and final reports of the Airports Commission were published, the news came at 7am, because they were regarded as market sensitive. | However, in December 2013 and July 2015, when the interim and final reports of the Airports Commission were published, the news came at 7am, because they were regarded as market sensitive. |
| That final report did recommend a third runway for Heathrow, and that’s what most are expecting today. We’ll have all the twists and turns here, whenever they come. | That final report did recommend a third runway for Heathrow, and that’s what most are expecting today. We’ll have all the twists and turns here, whenever they come. |
| 4.10pm BST | 4.10pm BST |
| 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Haroon Siddique | Haroon Siddique |
| The government is finally expected to announce its decision as to which London airport expansion scheme it will choose today. | The government is finally expected to announce its decision as to which London airport expansion scheme it will choose today. |
| The options are: | The options are: |
| The decision is due to be taken by Theresa May and other senior ministers at the airport subcommittee before cabinet this morning and the transport secretary, Chris Grayling, will make a statement to the Commons at 12.30pm. But it is possible news of the decision could come earlier – possibly before the markets open – because of its financial sensitivity. | The decision is due to be taken by Theresa May and other senior ministers at the airport subcommittee before cabinet this morning and the transport secretary, Chris Grayling, will make a statement to the Commons at 12.30pm. But it is possible news of the decision could come earlier – possibly before the markets open – because of its financial sensitivity. |
| Whichever path is chosen, it will have far-reaching implications, not just for the two airports but also for the residents surrounding them. People living close to whichever airport is chosen for expansion will face increased noise, pollution and traffic, and – in some cases – their homes being demolished. | Whichever path is chosen, it will have far-reaching implications, not just for the two airports but also for the residents surrounding them. People living close to whichever airport is chosen for expansion will face increased noise, pollution and traffic, and – in some cases – their homes being demolished. |
| Despite David Cameron’s infamous “no ifs, no buts” guarantee that there would not be a third runway at the capital’s biggest airport, Heathrow is considered the favourite, after the Davis Commission came out in favour of building a third runway at the west London hub more than a year ago. | Despite David Cameron’s infamous “no ifs, no buts” guarantee that there would not be a third runway at the capital’s biggest airport, Heathrow is considered the favourite, after the Davis Commission came out in favour of building a third runway at the west London hub more than a year ago. |
| But whatever happens today, it is unlikely to be the end of the matter. | But whatever happens today, it is unlikely to be the end of the matter. |
| Gatwick has said that even if Heathrow gets the green light it will remain on standby to deliver its own plan, as it believes that legal and political challenges will halt the west London hub’s expansion once again. | Gatwick has said that even if Heathrow gets the green light it will remain on standby to deliver its own plan, as it believes that legal and political challenges will halt the west London hub’s expansion once again. |
| Greenpeace says it has joined forces with councils surrounding Heathrow – Hillingdon, Richmond, Wandsworth and Windsor and Maidenhead – to instruct lawyers to seek a judicial review over the environmental impacts of a decision to go ahead. | Greenpeace says it has joined forces with councils surrounding Heathrow – Hillingdon, Richmond, Wandsworth and Windsor and Maidenhead – to instruct lawyers to seek a judicial review over the environmental impacts of a decision to go ahead. |
| There will also be political repercussions. Zac Goldsmith, Conservative MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, has promised to trigger a byelection if Heathrow is selected and would be likely to stand again as an independent with the support of his local party. It is possible he will resign today if Heathrow is chosen or wait until after a formal Commons vote on the issue. | There will also be political repercussions. Zac Goldsmith, Conservative MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, has promised to trigger a byelection if Heathrow is selected and would be likely to stand again as an independent with the support of his local party. It is possible he will resign today if Heathrow is chosen or wait until after a formal Commons vote on the issue. |
| Here’s our latest roundup: | Here’s our latest roundup: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.02am BST | at 6.02am BST |