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London airports expansion report will not be binding, say Tories London airports expansion report will not be binding, says government
(about 14 hours later)
The government is to make clear that it is not bound by the findings of the independent commission on the expansion of airport capacity in the south east of England.The government is to make clear that it is not bound by the findings of the independent commission on the expansion of airport capacity in the south east of England.
Related: Forget airport expansion, Davies report should tackle frequent flyersRelated: Forget airport expansion, Davies report should tackle frequent flyers
Amid a growing expectation at Westminster that the airports commission will endorse a new runway at Heathrow, while leaving the door open to expansion at Gatwick, government sources stressed that ministers would make their own decision.Amid a growing expectation at Westminster that the airports commission will endorse a new runway at Heathrow, while leaving the door open to expansion at Gatwick, government sources stressed that ministers would make their own decision.
“The commission will make its recommendation,” one cabinet source said. “We will make the decision.”“The commission will make its recommendation,” one cabinet source said. “We will make the decision.”
Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary, will give the government’s formal response to the commission, which is chaired by the economist Sir Howard Davies, after it publishes its findings early on Wednesday morning. McLoughlin will tell MPs in a statement to the Commons that the government welcomes the report but that ministers will take their time to reach their own decision.Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary, will give the government’s formal response to the commission, which is chaired by the economist Sir Howard Davies, after it publishes its findings early on Wednesday morning. McLoughlin will tell MPs in a statement to the Commons that the government welcomes the report but that ministers will take their time to reach their own decision.
Senior Conservatives expect that the commission will endorse controversial plans to expand runway capacity at Heathrow, possibly through a third runway. The commission has also examined the extension of the existing north runway at Heathrow to allow it to operate as two separate runways.Senior Conservatives expect that the commission will endorse controversial plans to expand runway capacity at Heathrow, possibly through a third runway. The commission has also examined the extension of the existing north runway at Heathrow to allow it to operate as two separate runways.
But the Tories expect Davies to keep open the option of a second runway at Gatwick if the operators of Heathrow are unable to give binding commitments on levels of noise and air pollution at the west London airport. A final, unexpected public consultation on air quality was held in May to focus on an aspect that could have proved a legal obstacle to expanding Heathrow.But the Tories expect Davies to keep open the option of a second runway at Gatwick if the operators of Heathrow are unable to give binding commitments on levels of noise and air pollution at the west London airport. A final, unexpected public consultation on air quality was held in May to focus on an aspect that could have proved a legal obstacle to expanding Heathrow.
The airports commission, appointed by the last government to overcome divisions within the coalition and between senior Tory cabinet ministers, will present David Cameron and George Osborne with a headache. A recommendation for expansion at Heathrow, with environmental caveats that could point to Gatwick, will prompt warnings from a powerful group of ministers and backbenchers that the government must steer clear of expanding Britain’s biggest airport.The airports commission, appointed by the last government to overcome divisions within the coalition and between senior Tory cabinet ministers, will present David Cameron and George Osborne with a headache. A recommendation for expansion at Heathrow, with environmental caveats that could point to Gatwick, will prompt warnings from a powerful group of ministers and backbenchers that the government must steer clear of expanding Britain’s biggest airport.
At least five senior Conservatives, including cabinet ministers Justine Greening, Philip Hammond and Theresa May as well as the London mayor Boris Johnson, are opposed to a third runway at the west London hub. Zac Goldsmith, the frontrunner for the Tory nomination for London mayor, is also an ardent opponent.At least five senior Conservatives, including cabinet ministers Justine Greening, Philip Hammond and Theresa May as well as the London mayor Boris Johnson, are opposed to a third runway at the west London hub. Zac Goldsmith, the frontrunner for the Tory nomination for London mayor, is also an ardent opponent.
A decision to build there would also be embarrassing for the prime minister, as Cameron unequivocally ruled it out in 2010, pledging “no ifs, no buts”.A decision to build there would also be embarrassing for the prime minister, as Cameron unequivocally ruled it out in 2010, pledging “no ifs, no buts”.
But a highly influential group of Tories with seats in Sussex and parts of Surrey are making clear that they will cause trouble if Gatwick is chosen. The group, led by the former justice minister Crispin Blunt and including the support of Sir Nicholas Soames, have demanded that ministers opposed to expansion at Heathrow should recuse themselves from the decision-making process.But a highly influential group of Tories with seats in Sussex and parts of Surrey are making clear that they will cause trouble if Gatwick is chosen. The group, led by the former justice minister Crispin Blunt and including the support of Sir Nicholas Soames, have demanded that ministers opposed to expansion at Heathrow should recuse themselves from the decision-making process.
The Gatwick coordination group took heart from an assurance by Davies that he would reach a clear decision. In a letter to Blunt, who had called for a “crystal clear recommendation”, Davies wrote on 17 June: “I can assure you that your points are well understood and that we will make a clear recommendation based on the appraisal framework we set out earlier.”The Gatwick coordination group took heart from an assurance by Davies that he would reach a clear decision. In a letter to Blunt, who had called for a “crystal clear recommendation”, Davies wrote on 17 June: “I can assure you that your points are well understood and that we will make a clear recommendation based on the appraisal framework we set out earlier.”
Blunt said: “I am confident that a clear decision will be made and that can only be a recommendation that a third runway is built at Heathrow or the extension [of its north runway]. The show stoppers for Gatwick are practical – infrastructure and there is no local labour force to deliver it. It would be possible to make an economically disastrous decision but sensible people tend not to.”Blunt said: “I am confident that a clear decision will be made and that can only be a recommendation that a third runway is built at Heathrow or the extension [of its north runway]. The show stoppers for Gatwick are practical – infrastructure and there is no local labour force to deliver it. It would be possible to make an economically disastrous decision but sensible people tend not to.”
Business leaders have demanded quick action from government after the report is published.Business leaders have demanded quick action from government after the report is published.
Airlines and business leaders have mainly backed Heathrow, although the noise and pollution it creates close to the centre of London makes it politically fraught. Campaigners have warned that Britain would not meet its CO2 targets to tackle climate change should a third runway go ahead, although the commission has claimed it is possible.Airlines and business leaders have mainly backed Heathrow, although the noise and pollution it creates close to the centre of London makes it politically fraught. Campaigners have warned that Britain would not meet its CO2 targets to tackle climate change should a third runway go ahead, although the commission has claimed it is possible.
The British Chambers of Commerce called on the government to act swiftly: “Failure to invest in capacity is hampering business growth and costing jobs.”The British Chambers of Commerce called on the government to act swiftly: “Failure to invest in capacity is hampering business growth and costing jobs.”
Its director general, John Longworth, said: “Unless the UK overhauls its lacklustre approach to managing infrastructure and gets serious about investment, we risk falling behind in the global race.Its director general, John Longworth, said: “Unless the UK overhauls its lacklustre approach to managing infrastructure and gets serious about investment, we risk falling behind in the global race.
“We need the government to make irreversible commitments to new airport capacity and … speed up the delivery of projects that help strengthen the economy.”“We need the government to make irreversible commitments to new airport capacity and … speed up the delivery of projects that help strengthen the economy.”
The Airport Operators Association released a poll of MPs showing three-quarters agreed that the government should commit to acting on Davies’s recommendations “as soon” as they are delivered.The Airport Operators Association released a poll of MPs showing three-quarters agreed that the government should commit to acting on Davies’s recommendations “as soon” as they are delivered.
Heathrow has given the prime minister some cover for a potential U-turn by submitting a different plan from 2010. A separate proposal for Heathrow expansion, shortlisted by Davies, from the Heathrow Hub group could also give some leeway by extending the current northern runway to allow take-offs and landings on the same strip. Jock Lowe of Heathrow Hub said: “We’re not a third runway. Politicians said no third runway, not no longer second runway.”Heathrow has given the prime minister some cover for a potential U-turn by submitting a different plan from 2010. A separate proposal for Heathrow expansion, shortlisted by Davies, from the Heathrow Hub group could also give some leeway by extending the current northern runway to allow take-offs and landings on the same strip. Jock Lowe of Heathrow Hub said: “We’re not a third runway. Politicians said no third runway, not no longer second runway.”