Rachel Reeves has confirmed government support for plans to expand Heathrow Airport with a third runway in a controversial move that is likely to provoke a backlash.
In a speech outlining her plans to boost economic growth, Reeves said the UK was a country of “huge potential” but “for too long, that potential has been held back”.
Critics of the Heathrow expansion have said the plans are in conflict with the UK’s environmental commitments. Labour donor Dale Vince, the boss of energy company Ecotricity, has said any expansion would be a “mistake”, while London mayor Sadiq Khan has also signalled his opposition to the move and said he would support any legal challenge.