Politics · United Kingdom · 12 hrs ago
Heathrow runway decision faces a December deadline amid Cabinet divisions
Heathrow’s proposed third runway is awaiting a government decision as investors seek final reassurance by December.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has not backed the plan, which was approved by his predecessor, Keir Starmer.
Cabinet ministers are split, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander supporting the expansion and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh opposing it.
The disagreement reflects a wider debate over whether to prioritise economic growth or environmental concerns.
The expansion is expected to raise airport capacity to 150 million passengers a year, while Heathrow handled 84.5 million passengers last year.
Heathrow also accounts for £13.5 billion of UK GDP and handles three-quarters of goods passing through Britain’s airports by air, while the runway would bring noise, pollution, traffic and construction disruption.
The decision is now urgent for the project’s investors, but if approved, the runway is not expected to open before 2039.
The Daily Mail reports a Cabinet dispute over a proposed third runway at Heathrow, with ministers divided over the £49 billion project.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Chancellor John Healey and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds are reported to support the expansion.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh oppose it, citing environmental concerns.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has not publicly committed to backing the runway, according to the reports.
Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye has said investors need final reassurance by December or they may withdraw from the scheme.
- Who
- UK Cabinet ministers and Prime Minister Andy Burnham are divided over Heathrow’s proposed third runway.
- What
- The Government is weighing a proposed expansion reported to cost £49 billion; Heathrow’s chief executive describes the runway scheme as a £33 billion project.
- When
- The reports were published on 7 and 8 November 2026. Woldbye set a deadline of “by December” for investor reassurance.
- Where
- Heathrow Airport, west of London.
- Why
- Supporters argue the project would boost growth and capacity. Opponents raise environmental concerns, including noise and air pollution.
Supporters of Heathrow expansion
Opponents of Heathrow expansion
Economic impact
Supporters of Heathrow expansion
Supporters argue the runway would support growth and create jobs.
Opponents of Heathrow expansion
Opponents prioritise environmental concerns and, in Burnham’s earlier remarks, investment in northern infrastructure.
Capacity
Supporters of Heathrow expansion
Supporters say expansion would increase Heathrow’s capacity.
Opponents of Heathrow expansion
Opponents oppose the expansion; the reports do not give a specific alternative for addressing capacity.
The Department for Transport published a report on Heathrow’s growth that considered adding runways.
Burnham, then Manchester mayor, criticised the runway proposal as a model for an overheating UK economy.
The Daily Mail says the proposal was approved by Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer, and then Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Burnham refused to back the proposed runway, according to the Daily Mail.
Woldbye said investors needed final reassurance or they would pull out of the scheme.
- Proposed project cost
- £49 billion, according to the Daily Mail
- Runway scheme cost
- £33 billion, according to the Evening Standard
- Proposed runway length
- 3,500 metres
- Proposed passenger capacity
- 150 million a year
- Heathrow passengers
- 84.5 million last year
- Earliest proposed runway opening
- 2039
2 sources
What people are saying
by December
Ed's the Foreign Secretary so it's not really his lookout.
model for an ever-overheating UK economy
expense of essential investment in northern infrastructure