UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Heathrow runway proposal draws criticism from economists, warning of uncertain economic benefits and rising environmental risks.
As reported by GB News, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing criticism over her proposal to add a new runway at Heathrow Airport, a plan first revealed in last year’s Autumn Budget.
Top economists and transport experts have raised concerns over the Government’s airport expansion plans in a formal letter sent to Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
What did economists say about Heathrow’s £49bn runway plan?
A coalition of top UK economists says the projected economic gains from airport expansion are highly questionable, describing them as “at best uncertain.”
Their warning follows government backing for major airport expansions, including Heathrow’s £49bn third runway and Luton’s approved plan to raise capacity to 32 million passengers a year.
In their letter, the expert highlighted serious environmental risks, adding that there are
“no indications that the environmental and health impacts of airport expansion can be adequately mitigated.”
The letter comes as ministers review business proposals for Heathrow’s third runway. The government is also set to review the Airports National Policy Statement, which guides project approval.
What did Dr Alex Chapman say about airport expansion?
Dr Alex Chapman, senior economist at the New Economics Foundation, has slammed ministers for promoting overseas travel as support for the Reform Party grows in coastal areas.
He said,
“The economic case for airport expansion is questionable from so many angles, but chief among them is the decline of business reliance on air travel.”
Mr Chapman noted ministerial support seemed “grounded in assumptions and industry vibes more so than evidence and research.”
The letter pointed out that official inspectors reviewing the Gatwick and Luton expansions had recommended scrapping the projects after finding the benefits failed to justify the major drawbacks.
Mr Chapman said,
“As a bare minimum, the upcoming review of the Airports National Policy Statement must involve a thorough and independent impact assessment of Heathrow’s expansion and should consider other, lower-impact alternatives.”
How will ministers justify more flying as carbon budgets tighten?
Heidi Alexander rejected planning officials’ objections to Luton Airport’s expansion, calling the decision vital for boosting economic growth.
Ministers are pressing ahead with airport expansion plans across Britain, even as the Climate Change Committee advises halting further increases in air travel until 2030.
The committee has suggested capping air passenger growth at just 2% by 2035 to allow time for cleaner aviation technologies to develop.
Greenpeace’s stance on Heathrow’s third runway plan
Doug Parr, the policy director at Greenpeace UK, stated,
“Resurrecting the idea of a third runway at Heathrow in the hope that a strip of tarmac will nudge up the UK’s GDP smacks of desperation. The economic benefits are dubious at best while the environmental costs in climate damage, noise and air pollution are certain.”
He added,
“Expert analysis has shown that the uptick in air travel over the last few years has failed to boost UK productivity or GDP growth while business journeys by plane are in long-term decline.”
Sadiq Khan’s views on Heathrow’s third runway
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that a third runway at Heathrow would cause “severe” environmental harm. He said it would also undermine Britain’s climate goals.
He added,
“Despite the progress that’s been made in the aviation sector to make it more sustainable, I’m simply not convinced that you can have hundreds of thousands of additional flights at Heathrow every year without a hugely damaging impact on our environment.”
What did Colin Walker say about Heathrow’s expansion and net zero goals?
Colin Walker, chair of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, stated,
“The government’s hopes that sustainable aviation fuel will offset the extra emissions from Heathrow’s expansion are unrealistic. Our pathway to net zero emissions already relies on the rollout of these fuels and no further expansion in UK airport capacity – a third runway will increase emissions way beyond the capacity of these fuels to offset them.”
Rachel Reeves’ views on Heathrow’s third runway
Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated,
“I have always been clear that a third runway at Heathrow would unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected as part of our Plan for Change.”
Responding to critics over Heathrow’s expansion plan, she added,
“That is what it takes to make decisions in the national interest and that is what I mean by going further and faster to kick-start economic growth.”
Key facts about Heathrow’s third runway expansion
- Plan: £49bn for new 3,500m runway.
- Growth: 150M passengers, 756K flights yearly.
- Impact: 100K+ jobs, £200bn trade, 0.43% GDP rise.
- Goal: Finish by 2035; rival £25bn plan also proposed.