UK politics – live: Anger as Reeves’ support for third Heathrow runway sparks climate backlash

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has prompted fury[1] with the growth plan she unveiled,[2] including backing for a third runway [3]at Heathrow Airport and for new roads, as well as sweeping away environmental protections in planning. Shaun Spiers, executive director at think tank Green Alliance, warned against "growth at any cost", saying: "The economic case for bigger airports and new roads is highly questionable, and it's crystal clear that pushing ahead with these will fly in the face of the UK's climate targets." WWF said Ms Reeves was making a "costly mistake" with airport expansions[4] that take decades to build and increase carbon emissions. "Now is the time to put pounds back in people's pockets by insulating homes, decarbonising power and investing in public transport," said David Walsh, of WWF.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said Ms Reeves should have scrapped air passenger duty[5] rather than "waffle on" about Heathrow expansion, claiming increasing taxes were damaging growth. ADVERTISEMENT Ms Reeves also announced backing for the redevelopment of Old Trafford[6] in Manchester, a rail link between Oxford and Cambridge and the building of the Lower Thames Crossing.

A planning and infrastructure bill will loosen environmental requirements for developers, she said. Earlier, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch was labelled the next "lettuce" by Sir Keir Starmer as he fiercely responded to attacks by the Tory leader over planned reforms to employment law[7].

Key points

• Critics slate airport expansion plans that will 'drive up carbon emissions'

• Rachel Reeves U-turns and says she will publish tax return

• Analysis: Reeves talks tough on growth but stands firm on EU

• Chancellor confirms government support for third runway at Heathrow

• Sir Keir tells Badenoch she will be 'the next lettuce'

Ex-Reform UK Scotland leader quits after being suspended

21:17 , Jane Dalton ADVERTISEMENT

The former Scotland leader for Reform UK has left the party after she was suspended following the revelation that she was an administrator for a Facebook page that reportedly contained racist posts. Last week, the Daily Record reported that Michelle Ballantyne was an administrator of the Reform UK Standing with Scotland Facebook group - which the newspaper said had far-right posts published on it. According to the newspaper, the group regularly features posts about former first minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

Ms Ballantyne was previously a Scottish Conservative MSP for the South Scotland region and was leader of Reform UK Scotland from January 2021 to February 2022. On Tuesday, she announced in the public group that she had ended her membership and had been suspended via email the previous day. ADVERTISEMENT

A spokesperson for Reform UK said Ms Ballantyne had been suspended as "standard practice" while they carried out an investigation. Reform UK has previously said the group has "nothing to do with the party".

Ryanair boss launches foul-mouthed attack on Heathrow plan

20:09 , Jane Dalton Michael O'Leary has hit out at Rachel Reeves in a foul-mouthed tirade, claiming the chancellor[8] "hasn't a clue" about how to generate economic growth.

Ryanair boss launches foul-mouthed attack over Rachel Reeves' Heathrow growth plan[9]

Reeves refuses to slow rollout of new workers' rights

18:56 , Jane Dalton

The Chancellor has said she will not slow down the introduction of new employment rights for workers to appease businesses. "We continue to work with business to make sure that we get those employment regulations right," Rachel Reeves told ITV's Peston. ADVERTISEMENT

Asked if she might phase them in over a longer period as some businesses have suggested, she said "no". "No, but we're making sure we get them right," she said, giving the examples of changes to probation periods so businesses can "take a risk" on a new employee and banning zero-hour contracts which should allow employers to take people on for short-term contracts to cover busy periods.

Thousands will have to be rehoused to allow Heathrow expansion

17:30 , Alex Ross Up to 10,000 people will have to be rehoused to make way for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, an MP has claimed.

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said 4,000 properties in his Hayes and Harlington constituency will have to be demolished, as he asked the Government to release documents that helped convince some Cabinet ministers to undergo a "Damascene conversion" to support the project. Chancellor Rachel Reeves offered her support to Heathrow expansion in a speech outlining the Government's plan to kickstart economic growth in the UK. The airport needs to secure approval for a development consent order to go ahead with the delayed project.

Independent MP Mr McDonnell, who lost the Labour whip last year after rebelling on a welfare vote, told the Commons: "There's so much to be welcomed in this statement but, sadly, I believe it has been tainted by the decision on the third runway at Heathrow. "When such a decision is made by the Chancellor, by the government, it's important that there's full openness and transparency so that we can explain the government's thinking to our constituents."

(PA Graphics) (PA Graphics)

Airport expansion plans 'make a mockery' of net-zero carbon commitments

17:00 , Alex Ross Countryside charity CPRE said the chancellor's airport expansion plans would "make a mockery" of its net-zero carbon commitments.

Roger Mortlock, chief executive, said: "The single biggest threat to the countryside is climate change. If the government expands Heathrow, Luton, City and Gatwick airports, the increase in carbon emissions will make a mockery of its commitment to reaching net zero by 2030. "Airport expansion will do nothing to boost UK growth.

There has been no net increase in air travel for business purposes or in jobs in air transport since 2007. "Local groups in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, London and Sussex have been at the forefront of campaigns to prevent further airport expansion. If implemented, these proposals would have a devastating impact on some of the UK's most valuable agricultural land, vital wildlife habitats and green spaces close to millions of people's homes."

How many homes will be affected by Gatwick and Heathrow plans?

16:54 , Alex Ross

We've been adding up the numbers to work out what impact the expansion of Gatwick and Heathrow will have, in terms of UK investment, environmental cost and homes impacted. Read our piece here:

Gatwick and Heathrow expansions: Over 90 million extra passengers, but who benefits?[10]

Inside the village that will be chopped in half by airport expansion

18:00 , Alex Ross Six years ago, travel correspondent Simon Calder visited the village of Harmondsworth, that will be split in two under plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

Under the plan, Harmondsworth would see half its homes - and the primary school - demolished to make way for the third runway to the south. Meanwhile, the A4 trunk road, diverted by the expansion plan, would encroach from the north. Here's his report:

Inside the village that will be chopped in half by Heathrow's third runway[11]

One of the UK's biggest housebuilders reacts to Rachel Reeves' plan for growth

16:38 , Alex Ross

As we've been reporting today, Rachel Reeves set out her plan for economic growth earlier. It includes pressing forward with a planning and infrastructure bill that will axe planning red tape, meaning developers will face fewer obstacles in getting through planned developments. She already said a new a default position will be set to approve new housing developments near train stations.

David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Redrow, told The Independent: "We welcome the government's commitment to growing the economy and Barratt Redrow wants to support that by growing its own output. "Bold reform of the planning system is needed for us to build much needed new homes and infrastructure to drive investment, jobs and GDP and make the country better off. "By working together with local and central government and addressing issues proportionately we can build while supporting nature and our environment, it doesn't need to be one or the other, but the first step is positive proactive planning, coming at these issues with a "can do" attitude."

Expansion of Heathrow Airport a 'huge opportunity' for Scotland

16:00 , Alex Ross

The expansion of Heathrow Airport will create a "huge opportunity" for Scotland, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce has said, with billions in investment and thousands of jobs. Rachel Reeves has announced the UK Government's support for a third runway at the London hub and put it at the heart of her plans to kickstart the UK economy. In a speech, the Chancellor said the move would increase opportunities for Scottish whisky and salmon, "already two of the biggest British exports out of Heathrow".

Scottish salmon is Heathrow's biggest export by weight. Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "Direct access to the airport's biggest suppliers allows us to provide a pipeline of expertise, and will provide Scottish business with the credibility and leverage to secure work on other projects both in the UK and internationally."

Lord David Cameron among first at fatal crash at the weekend

15:45 , Alex Ross Former prime minister Lord David Cameron was among the first at the scene of a fatal crash at the weekend.

A man in his 30s, who was driving a red Ferrari, died when the car left the road and collided with a tree near Marlingford in Norfolk on Saturday afternoon. His passenger, a woman also in her 30s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, according to Norfolk Police. Lord Cameron, who was on a shooting weekend nearby, drove past the scene not long after the accident.

David Cameron first on scene of fatal Ferrari crash as security team tried to help[12]

Expansion plan for Heathrow a 'reckless gamble'

15:26 , Alex Ross

We're hearing more from environmental groups who are opposed to the plan for a third runway at Heathrow Airport following Rachel Reeves' confirmation the proposal had government backing. The plan would see the number of flights increase to more than 700,000 a year. But Friends of the Earth's head of campaigns, Rosie Downes, warned that giving the go-ahead to airport expansion while relying on new technology such as sustainable aviation fuels would be a "reckless gamble".

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit's Colin Walker warned that the pathway to net zero already relies on sustainable fuels, and a third runway will "increase emissions way beyond the capacity of these fuels to offset them".

Rachel Reeves to publish tax returns - what will they show?

15:22 , Alex Ross As we've been reporting, Rachel Reeves is set to publish a tax return, in a U-turn hours after saying she did not have any plans to do so. A Treasury spokesperson indicated that Ms Reeves will release the details on her taxes, and Downing Street has confirmed that the Prime Minister will do the same.

In 2024, a summary of Sir Keir's return showed he paid almost GBP100,000 to the taxman. Both Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt published tax figures while they were in Government, as Sir Keir did in opposition. Figures released in February 2024 showed Sir Keir Starmer paid GBP99,431 in tax after making GBP275,000 in capital gains.

The release showed that the Labour leader paid GBP44,308 in income tax in 2022/23. He also paid GBP52,688 in capital gains tax after the sale of a field in December 2022 partly owned by himself and partly owned by his father's estate.

Rachel Reeves will publish tax return in U-turn hours after refusing to do so[13]

Ryanair boss says Rachel Reeves 'hasn't a clue' on delivering growth

15:06 , Alex Ross A stinging attack has been launched on Rachel Reeves by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary after she announced plans for economic growth this morning.

The chancellor also announced the government was supporting the expansion of Heathrow Airport. But Mr O'Leary said Ms Reeves should scrap air passenger duty (APD) rather than "waffle on" about Heathrow expansion. In her budget last year, Ms Reeves announced increases in APD from the 2026/27 financial year.

For passengers travelling in economy on a short-haul flight, this will raise APD from GBP13 to GBP15. Mr O'Leary said: "The UK continues to lose out on enormous growth opportunities because you have a Chancellor who hasn't a clue about how to deliver growth, has had five years to get ready for it, and yet has managed to screw it up in her first budget." He added: "Nothing is designed to damage growth faster than increasing taxes on air travel."

Michael O'Leary has criticised Rachel Reeves (Brian Lawless/PA) (PA Archive)

'We will use whatever means we can' - Sir Sadiq Khan on opposing Heathrow expansion

15:00 , Alex Ross

The Labour mayor of London has not held back as he continued his opposition to the plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. As we've been reporting, chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed government backing for the expansion of the airport. Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is among those who oppose the plans, claiming they will have a "severe impact on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets".

And it appears he is open to using the courts to challenge the plans. Speaking to the BBC, Khan said: "When Heathrow comes out with their plans, as I'm sure they inevitably will, we will scrutinise them carefully. And we'll have to hold the government to task about them supporting a plan that doesn't address the three concerns I've set out."

On taking a challenge to the courts, he added: "We will use whatever means we can."

Sir Sadiq Khan (Lucy North/PA) (PA Wire)

Rachel Reeves U-turns and says she will publish tax return

14:42 , Millie Cooke Rachel Reeves has announced she will publish her tax return, less than three hours after saying she doesn't have any plans to do so. Asked about the issue after a speech in Oxfordshire on Wednesday, she said: "Chancellors and prime ministers haven't published their tax returns in the past, and I don't have any plans to do so."

But just a few hours later, the Treasury confirmed that she would in fact publish her tax return.It came after Kemi Badenoch's spokesman suggested that the Conservative leader is waiting to see what Ms Reeves does with her tax returns before a decision is made on her own. Asked whether Mrs Badenoch would publish her tax returns, the spokesman said: "She is in opposition. And she ... waits to see what Rachel Reeves does."Pushed further on the point, the spokesman later added: "The point is we are in opposition, you can ask me this question when we form a government in four years."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves did say she had no plans to release her tax returns (PA Wire)

RSPB says Reeves risking UK climate targets

14:15 , Jane Dalton

The RSPB said the chancellor's announcements put the UK's climate targets at risk. Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, said: "The rock of stability on which the chancellor's plans for growth depend has to be a healthy natural environment. Good, long term economic growth, thriving nature and net zero do not have to be at odds, yet some of today's announcements put our climate targets at risk.

"Offshore wind is critical to addressing climate change and the announcement of new Marine Protected Areas is a positive step towards ensuring renewable energy doesn't come at the cost of the marine environment. "To provide investors with the certainty they need and avoid costly delays, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill must deliver an improved system fit for purpose with a strategic approach to development that builds nature into decision-making from the start, rather than pretending it's a problem to simply be bulldozed out of the way."

Mayor opposes Heathrow expansion over noise, pollution and climate

14:07 , Jane Dalton London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said he remained opposed to Heathrow expansion because of the "severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets".

He said: "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." Asked whether Sir Sadiq's opposition made him a "blocker", a Labour spokesman said: "No, we agree with the Mayor of London that growth must come hand-in-hand with our climate obligations, and that's why the Chancellor set out that we support a third runway. "That will be in line with our climate obligations and we look forward to working closely with the mayor throughout the process."

I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow airport because of the severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets. I will scrutinise carefully any new proposals that now come forward from Heathrow, including the impact it will have on... -- Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) January 29, 2025[14]

Critics slate reforms that will 'drive up carbon emissions'

13:40 , Jane Dalton

Rachel Reeves' backing for a third runway at Heathrow and road schemes, as well as pledges to reform environmental protections, drew an angry backlash. Critics said a new runway could wipe out the benefits of the Government's clean power plan by increasing emissions. And she faced criticism over plans to reform environmental regulations to prevent delays in development.

Shaun Spiers, executive director at environmental think tank Green Alliance, said: "The economic case for bigger airports and new roads is highly questionable, and it's crystal clear that pushing ahead with these will fly in the face of the UK's climate targets." Rachel Solomon Williams, executive director at the Aldersgate Group of companies, charities and other organisations pushing for ambitious climate and environmental policy, disagreed with the Chancellor's assessment that environmental protection was obstructing growth. "Nature is fundamental to the UK's future prosperity and ensuring that it is protected and restored as part of new development will generate economic growth, increase innovation and create jobs," she said.

David Walsh, head of public affairs at WWF, said there was "no trade-off" between economic growth and net zero. "Now is the time to put pounds back in people's pockets by insulating homes, decarbonising power, and investing in public transport," he said, warning Ms Reeves was making a "costly mistake" with airport expansions that take decades to build and increase carbon emissions.

What happens next for Heathrow expansion?

13:12 , Alex Ross Rachel Reeves has confirmed support for the expansion of Heathrow airport, but a number of issues must be resolved if a third runway is to be built.

The chancellor said the government was inviting Heathrow to bring forward proposals for a third runway "by the summer". Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said once these have been received, the Department for Transport will review its Airports National Policy Statement NPS). She added that the NPS "provides the basis for decision making" on a Development Consent Order (DCO) application submitted by the airport.

The DCO process is expected to last around 18 months and will involve a public consultation on the expansion plan. The Planning Inspectorate will consider the application and make a recommendation to the Transport Secretary, who will decide whether to grant the DCO. If the scheme is approved, there is a strong possibility that campaigners will launch judicial reviews of the minister's decision.

If legal challenges are not brought or are unsuccessful, Heathrow can begin construction.

(PA Wire)

MP fears 'colossal increase in immigration'

13:09 , Alex Ross The Prime Minister has told Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell to "talk to his leader" Kemi Badenoch, after Mr Rosindell referred to "a colossal increase in immigration". It comes after ONS figures showed the population of the UK was set to rise to 72. million by 2032.

Referring to the figures, Mr Rosindell said: "Who voted for that? And will the government do something to ensure that the population of this country is sustainable going forward, because there is no mandate for such a colossal increase in immigration in this country?" Sir Keir Starmer replied: "I think he should talk to his leader, because net migration went through the roof under the last government, nearly one million quadrupled, and who was cheering it on?

Who was cheering it on? The Leader of the Opposition. "His constituents are right to be concerned about the loss of control by the last government, we're taking control, we will bring these numbers down, but the record is absolutely clear, and it sits right there."

Will the UK open negotiations to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention?

12:49 , Alex Ross

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey called Sir Keir Starmer to open negotiations to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention on regional supply chains. He said it was more important following the threat to trade posed by Donald Trump's planned tariffs. The Liberal Democrat leader said: "If I could turn to economic growth, the Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) has now admitted that we need to go further and faster in the pursuit of economic growth, and we agree, but the Prime Minister knows we believe that means setting aside his objections to a UK-EU customs union so our country can go further and faster in rebuilding our trading relationships with our European neighbours."

"When he goes to Brussels on Monday, will he confirm to the House that he will open negotiations for the UK to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention, so we can start removing the growth-damaging trade barriers set up by the Conservatives?" Sir Keir replied: "He knows in relation to the reset with the EU, which we're determined to achieve, that we have clear red lines when it comes to the single market and the customs union, so he knows where we stand on that."

What do Rachel Reeves' plans for growth mean for the economy?

12:45 , Alex Ross On Wednesday morning, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a raft of policies to boost economic growth.

They included turning Oxford and Cambridge into "Europe's Silicon Valley", while also backing a third runway at Heathrow Airport. She said the plans are part of her "fight" for economic growth across the UK. Here we take a look at what the plans will mean for the economy

What do Rachel Reeves' plans for growth mean for the economy?[15]

Delayed hospital rebuild projects must be brought forward - Sir Ed Davey

12:42 , Alex Ross

Now we are hearing from Lib Dem leader Ed Davey who first raises concerns he has over delayed hospital rebuild projects, including in Barnstaple, where he said a surgeon told him the hospital was like a "ticking time-bomb". He said the Tory government's promise to rebuild it was a "hollow promise", and asked the Sir Keir if Labour will bring the projects, delayed for 10 years, forward. Sir Keir said: "I think people across the country are right to feel angry and betrayed and frustrated at the last government's plan - non-plan - on hospitals.

It was unachievable, it was unfunded, it was empty promises. "Under them, these hospitals would never have been built. Our funded plan backed by the investment we've put in will deliver them."

PM rebukes Tory leader over criticisms of Employment Rights Bill

12:36 , Alex Ross

"She is talking absolutely nonsense," said Sir Keir Starmer as he addressed attacks by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch on the Employment Rights Bill and Labour's growth plans. Ms Badenoch said the reforms would mean employees could take their bosses to employment tribunals on day one of a new job. The Prime Minister said: "I understand she likes straight talking, she is talking absolutely nonsense.

She knows that anybody that understands anything about the Bill or any employment law will know you can't start in the morning and go to the tribunal in the afternoon."

Employment Rights Bill will lead to higher prices for customers - Badenoch claims

12:34 , Alex Ross We're hearing more than on Labour's Employment Rights Bill, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch continuing to attack it in front of Sir Keir Starmer. The legislation includes plans to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts and "unscrupulous" fire and rehire practices

The Conservative Party leader said: "All his ideas are the ones that we thought of. He needs to make sure that we deliver for growth now as well as the future. To grow our economy, we must get more people off sickness and welfare, and into work.

"Clauses eight and nine of the unemployment Bill take us in the opposite direction by increasing entitlements. Government itself, his government itself, estimates that these changes will increase business costs from GBP600 million to GBP1 billion in sick pay. "That will mean higher prices, fewer jobs, less growth.

Will he drop these measures from the Bill?"

Badenoch scolded by the Commons speaker for suggesting Starmer mislead the house

12:29 Kemi Badenoch is scolded by speaker for suggesting Starmer mislead the House over the Employment Bill. She told MPs: "(Sir Keir) doesn't want to talk about the Employment Bill because he doesn't know about it.

Last week, he misled the House." Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle said: "We can't accuse the Prime Minister of misleading the House. No, we can't do it."

Mrs Badenoch continued: "Last week, he claimed to have laid down an amendment that he had not made. He doesn't know what is going on in here or out there." She added: "The Federation of Small Businesses says 92% of small employers are concerned about the Employment Bill.

Clauses one through six make it harder for business to hire new employees, often young people looking for their first job. This isn't an employment Bill. It's an unemployment Bill.

Given these clauses, will he drop his Bill and show that he is not anti-growth?" Sir Keir replied: "We believe in giving people proper dignity and protection at work. That's why we're proud of our record of supporting workers.

They consistently vote against any protection for working people.

Speaker scolds Kemi Badenoch for claiming Keir Starmer misled House of Commons[16]

Kemi Badenoch goes straight to the point on growth

12:20 , David Maddox Keir Starmer gave a hostage to fortune yesterday when he said that if policies do not deliver economic growth then they are gone. So it was not surprising that Kemi Badenoch should use her first two questions to tackle him on the Employment Bill with workers rights which is widely seen as anti growth.

Not surprisingly the prime minister did not want to talk about the Bill preferring to focus on the planning reforms and building projects in the chancellor's speech today. Given how much of a premium is being put on economic growth by both sides, this is going to be the debate going forward.

(House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

Analysis: Badenoch will not have silenced the whispers with that PMQs

12:20 , David Maddox Keir Starmer's "next lettuce" remark about Kemi Badenoch struck a chord because of the whispers in the Tories over whether Kemi Badenoch can survive until the next election as Tory leader.

Ms Badenoch has had a slow start and been dogged by Reform UK surging in the polls. While she picked the right subject today to pursue Starmer over his Employment Bill in PMQs the ponderous and long winded delivery meant she was unable to land any real blows. The economy is Starmer and Labour's weakness at the moment but the Tories are not really capitalising.

Sir Keir tells Badenoch 'she's going to be the next lettuce'

12:19 , Alex Ross

Referring to a newspaper's feature where a lettuce outlived the leadership of Liz Truss, Sir Keir joked about Tory leader Kemi Badenoch's future. It started when Ms Badenoch continued her criticism of the Employment Bill, claiming it will be "terrible for business, but it is great employment for lawyers." She said: "I know the prime minister loves the legal profession, but he needs to stop being a lawyer and start being a leader."

Sir Keir responds by saying Ms Badenoch would not understand employment law. He said: "We know she's not a lawyer. She's clearly not a leader.

If she keeps up like this, she is going to be the next lettuce."

'We are not taking lectures from them' - Sir Keir to Badenoch

12:14 , Alex Ross Tory leader Kemi Badenoch next turns to the government's employment bill, which she says will cost businesses GBP5bn a year. The legislation will include plans to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts [17]and "unscrupulous" fire and rehire practices which it said will benefit millions of workers.

Ms Badenoch said: "Let's look at the Employment Bill. The government's own figures say it will cost businesses GBP5 billion a year. It clearly fails the Prime Minister's growth test.

Will he drop it?" But Sir Keir replied by running through government growth plans, including the support to a third runway at Heathrow. He said: "She asked what we're doing, the ONS say we got the highest investment for 19 years.

PwC, second best place to invest in the world. IMF, upgrading growth predicted, fastest growing major economy in Europe. Wages up, inflation down."

He added: "We're not taking lectures from them."

Badenoch claims chancellor's plan is a series of Conservative policies

12:10 , Alex Ross Tory leader starts by welcoming Rachel Reeves' backing of a series of projects, but still claims Labour is "destroying growth". She said: "This morning the Chancellor embraced a series of Conservative policies, although many are welcome, they will take years to deliver.

"When Conservatives left office, we had the fastest economic growth in the G7. But what is the Government doing for growth now? It's destroying it."

(House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

EasyJet set to launch flights from Heathrow 'at scale'

12:02 , Simon Calder

The only major airport in Europe not served by easyJet is London Heathrow - but that will change if expansion goes ahead. Kenton Jarvis, chief executive of Britain's biggest budget airline, said: "I welcome the Government's pro-growth agenda and their recognition of the importance of aviation and the crucial role it plays as an enabler of economic growth." As an island nation, this industry provides much-needed connectivity as well as creating many skilled jobs which contribute to the wider prosperity of the country.

"Expansion at Heathrow will provide consumer and economic benefits and represents a unique opportunity for easyJet to operate from the airport at scale for the first time and bring with it lower fares for consumers." An indication of what that scale would have to look like became clear in the depths of the Covid pandemic in November 2020, when easyJet applied for 14 daily pairs of take-off and landing slots at Heathrow. Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that assigns precious permissions at London's main airport, awarded it none.

Among London airports, easyJet currently serves Gatwick, Luton, Southend and Stansted.

Analysis: Reeves talks tough on growth but stands firm on Labour's EU red lines

11:44 , Archie Mitchell in Oxfordshire The real headline-grabber from the chancellor's growth speech will be the controversial decision to back a third runway at Heathrow - which has already sparked a row in the Labour ranks. But the 40-minute speech, which saw the chancellor mention "growth" 31 times, was littered with economy-boosting announcements.

After six months of stagnant growth since Labour took office, the speech sought to show Ms Reeves is serious about turning the economy around. She deflected questions about her growth-crushing Budget measures, such as the national insurance hike which businesses have railed against as a jobs tax, trotting out the well-worn line that the Conservatives left a GBP22bn black hole in the public finances. But striking was the lack of any movement on Labour's EU red lines, which economists and business chiefs say are holding back the economy.

If the chancellor really wants to give Britain the economic boost it needs, she and Sir Keir Starmer must revisit their refusal to consider a return to the customs union as one of the biggest pro-growth moves available to the government.

(EPA)

Heathrow Airport welcomes Rachel Reeves' backing on expansion

11:41 , Alex Ross The chancellor gave her backing to the planned expansion of Heathrow, with the opening of a third runway for more than 700,000 flights a year. In response, Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: "This is the bold, responsible vision the UK needs to thrive in the 21st century and I thank the Government and Chancellor for their leadership.

"It has given us the confidence to confirm our continued support for expanding Heathrow. "Successfully delivering the project at pace requires policy change - particularly around necessary airspace modernisation and making the regulatory model fit for purpose." Ms Reeves' asked the airport to deliver its proposals in the summer.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed support for the expansion of Heathrow airport (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Archive)

Nothing changes - Tory shadow chancellor says after Rachel Reeves' speech

11:38 , Alex Ross

Following Rachel Reeves' speech, in which she gave her backing to a series of major projects including the expansion of Heathrow, the Tories reiterated their attack on the Autumn Budget. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: "The biggest barriers to growth in this country are Rachel Reeves, Keir Starmer and their job-destroying budget - and nothing in the chancellor's speech proved otherwise. "What's worse, the anti-growth Chancellor could not rule out coming back with yet more tax rises in March.

"This is a Labour Government run by politicians who do not understand business, or where wealth comes from. Under new leadership, the Conservatives will continue to back businesses and hold this Government to account."

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride (PA Archive)

Rival protest camp parks up across the road

11:35 , Archie Mitchell in Oxfordshire Meanwhile, a rival camp of climate protesters from Green New Deal Rising have parked up across the road from the convoy of farmers.

They are warning the chancellor against Heathrow's expansion, with a banner reading: "There is no growth on a dead planet."

(The Independent)

Family farm tax protest outside Rachel Reeves' speech

11:31 , Archie Mitchell in Oxfordshire The anti-family farm tax outside the chancellor's speech has multiplied, with more than 20 furious farmers and a long line of tractors now stood outside protesting Labour's inheritance tax changes. It is impossible to hear anything above the sound of tractor horns blaring, and the chancellor will have to drive through the demonstration to leave the venue.

(The Independent)

Reeves' 'blinkered approach' on Europe is holding back businesses - Lib Dems

11:24 , Alex Ross

Responding to Rachel Reeves' speech on economic growth today, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said the chancellor should have focused on a new UK-EU trade deal. She said: "The Chancellor's blinkered approach on Europe is holding back British businesses and stifling growth. "If this government was serious about boosting growth, it would start negotiating a new UK-EU trade deal with a bespoke customs union at its heart.

"This is the single biggest lever ministers could pull to turbocharge our economy. The refusal of the Chancellor to even consider it shows a worrying lack of ambition. "After years of economic vandalism under the Conservatives, families and businesses deserve better."

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP (PA Wire)

Mayor of London remains opposed to Heathrow expansion

11:21 , Archie Mitchell in Oxfordshire

Just responding to Rachel Reeves' backing of a third runway at Heathrow, the Mayor of London quickly gave his response on social media. He said: "I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow airport because of the severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate change targets. "I will scrutinise carefully any new proposals that now come forward from Heathrow, including the impact it will have on people living in the area and the huge knock-on effects for our transport infrastructure.

"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."

(PA Wire)

Environment group quick to attack government's support of Heathrow expansion plan

11:04 , Simon Calder The "No 3rd Runway Coalition" has responded furiously to Rachel Reeves pledging support for expansion at Heathrow airport. Paul McGuinness, chair of the environmental campaign group, said: "We assume Heathrow expansion was chosen because it has become the totemic mission impossible.

"Yet, the plan is not only eye-wateringly expensive. It entails flattening villages and tunnelling over the M25's busiest junction to increase Heathrow's size by an area that is larger than Birmingham airport, to fly as many extra planes as Gatwick currently flies - effectively to build the UK's second-largest airport next to the first. And all in the most overflown and densely packed residential region in the UK.

"And with the slew of other expected expansions in the South East now increasing aviation capacity by 60 million passengers each year - which is more than Heathrow expansion ever offered - Heathrow expansion is now less investable and less possible than ever". There were protesters outside Siemens Healthiness in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, where Rachel Reeves was giving her speech.

(Jacob King/PA Wire)

Analysis: Rachel Reeves has put Ed Miliband in his place

10:56 , David Maddox Even as late as Monday afternoon energy secretary Ed Miliband was hinting that a third runway at Heathrow could be blocked if it did not meet carbon emission targets.

But chancellor Rachel Reeves has pulled rank and made a decisive move to end the long running debate over Heathrow expansion. She wants the UK to be "the world's best connected place to do business". Other countries are expanding their airports.

Ms Reeves does not want the UK to be left behind.

Heathrow Airport expansion 'badly needed' says Rachel Reeves

10:53 , Alex Ross In setting the government's support for the third runway at Heathrow Airport, she said it showed ministers' ambition for the future. She says: "I can confirm today that this Government supports a third runway at Heathrow and is inviting proposals to be be brought forward by the summer.

"We will then take forward a full assessment through the airport national policy statement. This will ensure that the project is value for money and our clear expectation is that any associated service transport costs will be financed through private funding. "It will ensure that a third runway is delivered in line with our legal, environmental and climate objectives."

Ms Reeves earlier said a third runway at the hub airport was "badly needed", that the previous government had taken no action on it and claimed no full-length runway has been built in Britain since the 1940s.

(EPA)

'We cannot duck the decision any longer' - Reeves supports Heathrow airport expansion

10:48 , Alex Ross Rachel Reeves says the case to expand Heathrow Airport with a third runway is stronger than ever. She says she can now confirm that the government supports the plan and invites the proposal to be brought forward in the summer.

She adds that the plan would be delivered in line with the government's environment objectives. "We cannot duck the decision any longer," she says.

Heathrow is one of the world's busiest two-runway airports (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Archive)

Plans for Old Trafford redevelopment gets Rachel Reeves's backing

10:45 , Alex Ross As we were expecting, Rachel Reeves has told the audience that she will back plans for the redevelopment of Old Trafford.

The government has ambitions for the wider housing and residential and leisure offer that could be put in that place around the stadium. The chancellor says it will "drive regeneration and growth in the area".

(PA Wire)

Tories spotted an omission in Reeves' speech

10:39 , David Maddox As Rachel Reeves celebrated the power of devolution and the "brilliant mayors" around the country the chancellor listed figures like Manchester's Andy Burnham, Liverpool's Steve Rotherham and others.

But one name was left off that list - London's Sir Sadiq Khan. Khan has annoyed Downing Street recently by suggesting Donald Trump is a fascist. He appears to be in the bad books.

Sir Sadiq Khan (PA Wire)

Rachel Reeves pledges support for Lower Thames Crossing

10:37 , Alex Ross

A proposed new road linking Kent and Essex through a tunnel beneath the River Thames will be backed by the government, says Rachel Reeves. The chancellor says the government would work with the private sector to deliver the Lower Thames Crossing "that our country desperately needs". She added: "This includes the Lower Thames Crossing, which will improve connectivity at Dover, Felixstowe and Harwich, alleviating severe congestion as goods destined to export come from the North and the Midlands, and across the country, to markets overseas.

"To drive growth and deliver value for money for taxpayers, we are exploring options to privately finance this important project."

(PA Media)

Reeves speech drowned out by factory sounds

10:35 , Archie Mitchell in Oxfordshire Rachel Reeves has a great backdrop for her growth speech, with some of the UK's most advanced machinery stacked up behind her. But the scenery is not without its downfalls.

For those in the audience, it is tricky not to get distracted from the chancellor's words by the loud whirring of the shop floor in the background.

(EPA)

Action plan on kick-starting growth to be unveiled in March

10:33 , Alex Ross An action plan intended to make regulation "work much better for our economy" will be published in March, Rachel Reeves says. The Chancellor says businesses are held back by a complex and unpredictable regulatory system, and that is a drag on investment and innovation.

She says: "We have already provided a new growth-focused remit to our financial service regulators, we have announced a new interim chair of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we have established the regulatory innovation office with an initial focus on synthetic biology, space, AI and connected and autonomous vehicles. "But we need to go further, and we need to go faster, so earlier this month I met the heads of some of our largest regulators. "They have already provided a range of options to drive growth in their sectors and proposals for how they can be more agile and responsive to businesses, and we will publish that final action plan in March to make the regulation work much better for our economy."

(EPA)

Reeves says builders shouldn't have to worry about bats and newts

10:31 , Archie Mitchell

Rachel Reeves has taken her fight for growth to two tiny targets: bats and newts. The chancellor is taking an axe to planning regulations that block major infrastructure projects or add years of delays and millions of pounds of cost. She cited a GBP100m pound "bat tunnel" designed to protect the creatures from the HS2 rail project.

And she said: "We are reducing the environmental requirements placed on developers when they pay into a nature restoration fund that we have created, so they can focus on getting things built and stop worrying about bats and newts."

Analysis: Reeves tries to explain why she has been right all along

10:30 , David Maddox This is very much a "why I did what I did" speech by Rachel Reeves as she spends some time justifying what she has done so far as chancellor. A robust defence was needed given the brickbats from business which have come her way over workers rights and tax rises.

She highlights the reforms to the planning system which will make Labour unpopular in individual constituencies but is the biggest hope for achieving economic growth. Given the scale of the infrastructure needed in this country for issues like the AI revolution then the reforms were desperately needed. She reminds the audience of the infamous GBP100 million bat tunnel for HS2.But will the reduction in infrastructure burdens be enough to persuade major corporations to invest in Britain?

Critics will say that the high tax regime will continue to be a problem.

(EPA)

'Focus on getting things done instead of worrying on bats and newts' - Rachel Reeves

10:29 , Alex Ross Rachel Reeves is now outlining what will be in the planning and infrastructure bill. She says it will streamline processes and make the consultation process far less burdensome.

She gives an example on how projects are held up with the story reported last year that HS2 was spending more than GBP100m to build a bat shed. She says the bill will reduce environmental requirements, adding: "So they [builders] can focus on getting things done instead of worrying about bats and newts. She also says the bill will stop the excessive use of judicial reviews, with the bill to come in the spring.

HS2 is spending more than GBP100m building a "shed" for bats (PA Wire)

'Politicians have lacked the courage' on the economy - says Rachel Reeves

10:22 , Alex Ross

Rachel Reeves says politicians in recent years have "lacked" strength to confront challenges in the economy. The Chancellor says: "The productive capacity of the UK economy has become far too weak. "Productivity, the driver of living standards, has grown more slowly here than in countries like Germany or the US.

The supply side of our economy has suffered due to chronic under-investment and stifling and unpredictable regulation, not helped by the shocks that we have faced in recent years. "For too long, politicians have lacked the courage or the strength to confront these challenges. "When presented with a choice, they have not prioritised growth.

Instead, they have accepted the status quo and they have been the barrier, not the enablers of change."

Analysis: Trump love-in

10:21 , David Maddox It feels like a long time ago that Labour NMPs were agitating to prevent Trump from speaking to a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament, Rachel Reeves is on message for the new special relationship. She claimed to be looking forward to working with the Trump administration which has a very different growth plan of slashing regulations and taxes.

It will be interesting to see if this shapes into some sort of trade deal which would boost growth but may come at a price.

(PA/AP/Reuters)

Rachel Reeves says country can 'do so much better'

10:19 , Alex Ross Low growth is not Britain's destiny, Chancellor Rachel Reeves says, as she signals she is willing to "fight" for economic growth. She says: "We have fundamental strengths in our history, in our language and in our legal system to compete in a global economy, but for too long that potential has been held back.

For too long we have accepted low expectations and accepted decline. "We no longer have to do that. We can do so much better.

Low growth is not our destiny, but growth will not come without a fight, without a Government willing to take the right decisions now to change our country's future for the better. "That's what our plan for change is all about. That is what drives me as Chancellor."

Analysis: Smiling Reeves back on message

10:16 , David Maddox

After seven months of doom and gloom, Rachel Reeves has returned to the "optimism" she was talking about during the election. It's all about growth she is telling the country today after seven months of misery, tax rises and measures which have actually harmed that mission. This is the first time for a while we have seen Reeves smile and it may well be that she has realised the "we were faced with a terrible legacy" message was not working.

Ms Reeves is now hoping that second time round businesses will forget about the start of this government and accept she really wants to grow the economy.

(Sky News)

Reeves says she is prepared to fight for growth

10:15 , Archie Mitchell Rachel Reeves is surrounded by MRI scanners in production, telling gathered business leaders, journalists and members of Sir Keir Starmer's government how she plans to "fight for growth". With a convoy of protesting farmers on tractors outside, the chancellor has said growth is about more than lines on a graph, it is about "the pounds in people's pockets".

Ms Reeves is setting out how stability, reform and investment are the three key pillars of Labour's mission to drive growth.

(Jacob King/PA Wire)

Growth is about more than lines on a graph, Rachel Reeves says

10:13 , Alex Ross Growth is about more than lines on a graph, Rachel Reeves has said as she began a major economic speech. In her first major speech since the Autumn Budget, she said: "Growth isn't simply about lines on a graph, it is about the pounds in people's pockets, the vibrancy of our high streets and the thriving businesses that create wealth, jobs and new opportunities for us, for our children, and grandchildren.

"We will have succeeded in our mission when working people are better-off." Among the senior Government figures in the audience are Environment Secretary Steve Reed, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and science minister Lord Vallance.

(BBC)

Chancellor starts her speech

10:10 , Alex Ross Rachel Reeves takes to the podium which displays a banner saying "kickstart economic growth".

She starts by saying economic growth is the number one mission of the Labour government. She says it is needed to meet climate goals, give the next generation the opportunity to thrive and improve living standards for ordinary working people. She said: "We will have succeeded in our mission when working people are better of."

Infrastructure projects expected to be backed by Rachel Reeves

10:07

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is due to support a number of major infrastructure schemes in a speech on growth this morning. Here is a summary of some of the schemes that could be mentioned: Heathrow airport

Heathrow airport in west London wants to build a third runway to raise capacity and boost resilience. The scheme would have a major impact on the local area, with hundreds of homes demolished and villages such as Harmondsworth and Longford likely to be partly or wholly demolished. The plans received parliamentary approval in June 2018, but the airport would need to apply for a Development Consent Order to go ahead with the project.

There is no timeline for when a third runway could open, but it is likely to be well into the 2030s. Gatwick airport Gatwick airport in West Sussex wants to bring its second, emergency runway into routine use for take-offs by smaller aircraft, providing a major boost in capacity and resilience.

The project would involve widening the runway by 12 metres. The airport says construction could start this year and be completed by the end of the decade. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to make a final decision on whether to approve the scheme by February 27.

Luton airport Luton airport in Bedfordshire wants the limit on its annual number of passengers to be raised from 18 million to 32 million. This would involve expanding its existing terminal and building a second terminal.

The scheme would not require a new runway or flight paths. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to make a final decision on whether to approve the scheme by April 3. East West Rail

East West Rail involves boosting railway links between Oxford and Cambridge with new and upgraded lines. The scheme has three stages, with initial services from Oxford to Bletchley and Milton Keynes scheduled to begin this year. The other two stages are reliant on Government funding and approval.

These involve services being extended from Oxford to Bedford, and then from Oxford to Cambridge via Bedford and Bletchley. Old Trafford Manchester United is eager to create a new venue by either redeveloping its current stadium to increase capacity to 87,000, or build a new ground which could hold 100,000 fans.

The club has said it will decide on its preferred option "ahead of the summer". The project would also involve a major regeneration of the area around Old Trafford, with residential, transport and entertainment developments. Lower Thames Crossing

This is a new GBP9 billion road crossing between Kent and Essex. It would connect the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 and M25 in Essex via a 2.6-mile long tunnel under the Thames, which would be the UK's longest road tunnel. This is aimed at reducing congestion on the Dartford Crossing.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to make a final decision on whether to approve the scheme by May 23.

A protest against a third runway at Heathrow on Wednesday morning (Jacob King/PA Wire)

Old Trafford can cement Manchester's place as 'global capital of football'

09:56 , Alex Ross A new or redeveloped Old Trafford can cement Manchester's place as "the global capital of football", the city's mayor Andy Burnham has said. Manchester United are set to make a decision by the end of the season on whether to redevelop the existing stadium into an 87,000-capacity venue or build a brand-new 100,000-capacity ground.

Rachel Reeves is expected this morning to reiterate the Government's backing for the redevelopment of the area around Manchester United's football stadium Old Trafford. Burnham said the project, which also involves relocating freight terminals, will benefit other parts of the north-west, as well as his city. He told BBC Breakfast: "This truly... it's one of those rare projects that's a win-win, the benefits will be felt far and wide.

"On the east of Manchester, if you look at what's happened there - and the Commonwealth Games helped that with public money at the time - Manchester City have taken that and poured so much investment in themselves to improve the east of Manchester. "Imagine that being balanced on the west of Manchester with another major football campus."

The Government has announced support for the project to regenerate the area around Manchester United's Old Trafford home (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

Heathrow Airport proposed expansion

09:51 , Alex Ross Here's what it'd look like with the new third runway to the north west of the existing two.

The current maximum annual number of flights is around 475,000. A third runway could enable the airport to reach around 740,000 flights a year.

(PA Wire)

How to increase Heathrow capacity by 15% - instantly

09:49 , Alex Ross Travel correspondent Simon Calder is at London Heathrow airport Terminal 5 ahead of the Chancellor's announcement.

He has been writing about "mixed mode" arrivals and departures, which could increase capacity by 15% immediately - just by allowing planes to land and take off from both runways simultaneously." At present, Heathrow dedicates one strip of asphalt to landings and the other to take-offs. Intuitively, you might imagine that the most efficient way to operate a two-runway airport like Heathrow is to separate arrivals and departures.

In fact, the opposite is true: you can extract more capacity if there is a plane coming into land a few seconds after an aircraft ahead has taken off. "Heathrow at its peak has a landing every 80 seconds and a take-off every 80 seconds. But across at Gatwick, air-traffic controllers can manage an arrival and a departure in as little as 65 seconds.

Mixed mode adds capacity without the need for another runway." But it is, he adds, extremely controversial as it would end respite from aircraft noise.

How 'mixed mode' could solve Heathrow's capacity crunch long before a third runway[18]

What are the plans for Heathrow airport

09:44 , Alex Ross Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give her support on Wednesday for the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

The plans, which would see the building of a third runway, would create extra capacity which could be used to increase flight numbers and boost resilience during disruption. The current maximum annual number of flights is around 475,000. A third runway could enable it to reach around 740,000 flights a year.

Heathrow said in 2018 that it could complete the project for GBP14 billion. But there are environmental concerns. Campaigners say airport expansion would lead to a severe increase in aircraft noise experienced by local communities.

Planes emit CO2 when they burn jet fuel, which would also contribute to global warming.

What the expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton means for passengers[19]

What are we expecting in Rachel Reeves' landmark speech

09:22 , Alex Ross This is Chancellor Rachel Reeves' biggest speech since delivering her Autumn Budget last year, and there is understandably much interest as she looks to outline how she'll deliver economic growth. Among the major projects she will unveil will be plans to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor[20] that will boost the UK economy by up to GBP78bn by 2035, according to industry experts.

An announcement on the expansion of Heathrow is also expected[21] despite the threat of a backlash by Labour MPs, while the chancellor will also back a major plan to redevelop the iconic Old Trafford home of Manchester United[22]. She will tell regional and business leaders in Oxford that economic growth is the number one mission of this government and its Plan for Change.

(Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street) Ms Reeves will say: "Low growth is not our destiny, but that economic growth will not come without a fight.

Without a government that is on the side of working people. Willing to take the right decisions now to change our country's course for the better."

Third runway at Heathrow would be 'an illusion of growth'

09:10 , Alex Ross We heard this morning from energy boss and Labour donor Dale Vince who told BBC Radio 4 it would be a mistake for Rachel Reeves to back a third runway at Heathrow.

Mr Vince, who donated GBP5m to Labour in the run-up, to the election said it would lead to exporting tourism money aboard and would "come at the expense of our carbon-cutting effort". He said: "We've got to decarbonise energy, transport and food, and at the moment we're on course to do energy, and we won't do that with this Heathrow expansion, which is a big mistake."

Ecotricity founder and major Labour donor Dale Vince (Ben Whitley/PA) (PA Wire)

Labour MP who threatened to smash reporter's face with bat made trade envoy by Starmer

08:54 , Jabed Ahmed

Labour MP who threatened to smash a reporter's face with bat made trade envoy[23]

Full report | Reeves warned 'it's crunch time' as chancellor relaunches her economic growth agenda

08:37 , Jabed Ahmed Our Political Editor David Maddox reports:

Reeves warned 'it's crunch time' as chancellor relaunches her economic growth agenda[24]

Labour doesn't have a 'doom message', business secretary says

08:29 , Jabed Ahmed

Jonathan Reynolds has denied that Labour has a "doom message", instead saying he has "always been optimistic". It comes as critics accuse the government of talking down the economy, after the government repeatedly set out the problems facing Britain and pointed to a "GBP22bn black hole" they claimed to have inherited from the Conservatives. The business secretary - asked if the party realised they had gone too far with negative messaging - said: "I don't believe we had a doom message.

I believe we face a difficult fiscal inheritance. We have to address that." Pressed on whether he regrets how much the government mentioned the "black hole" facing the public finances, Mr Reynolds said: "I regret there was a black hole."

He added: "There are times where you face this kind of situation and you've got to address it."

There are 'real problems' with proposals to build a third runway at Heathrow, Ed Davey says

08:17 , Jabed Ahmed Ed Davey has said there are "real problems" with proposals to build a third runway at Heathrow. It comes ahead of a major speech from Rachel Reeves today, where she is expected to announce plans for the project.

The Liberal Democrat leader said officials are "not sure whether it will bring the growth, and realising that if it brings growth, it may take quite some time". He said his party wants to "make sure we're taking measures to grow our economy now". "That's why we've put such a big emphasis on getting rid of the barriers and the costs and the bureaucracy that the Conservatives introduced for our traders", Sir Ed added.

His comments come after a number of Lib Dem MPs - including Munira Wilson and Sarah Olney - penned a letter to transport secretary Heidi Alexander expressing concern that the airport expansion could have negative impacts on the environment and human health.

What would be the environmental impact of a Heathrow expansion?

08:11 , Jabed Ahmed Planes emit CO2 when they burn jet fuel, which contributes to global warming. Climate and energy website Carbon Brief says a forest twice the size of London would need to be planted in the UK to cancel out the extra CO2 emissions from expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton Airports.

The UK's target to meet net zero CO2 emissions is 2050. The aviation sector is largely relying on the development of sustainable aviation fuels to reduce CO2 emissions. It is also developing aircraft powered by electricity and hydrogen, although the large-scale commercial use of these technologies remains a long way off.

Independent advisers on the Government's Climate Change Committee recommend there should be "no net airport expansion across the UK".

Ed Davey warns 'things are going from bad to worse' for social care

08:06 , Jabed Ahmed Sir Ed Davey has warned that "things are going from bad to worse" for social care across the UK, accusing Labour of a "failure to act". While he praised the party's decision to set up a cross-party commission on social care, he said the timetable they have set out is "just not acceptable",

"Labour's refusal to act quickly on social care - and actually making it worse with the rise in national insurance - I think things are going from bad to worse. I didn't think that would happen", the Liberal Democrat leader told Sky News. It comes after it was announced that the reforms promised by Labour will not be implemented until 2028.

"They said it's going to take at least three years. I'm afraid we can't wait. We believe this can be done this year so we can implement the changes that people need.

Sir Ed added: "It's crucial for those people who need care and their families and their loved ones. It's also crucial for the NHS because, without reforming social care, you'll never sort out the problems in our health service."

UK will be 'left behind' if third Heathrow runway is not built, minister suggests

07:59 , Jabed Ahmed The Business Secretary has said the UK "can't afford" to be a country that "doesn't build runways".

Asked about the expected announcement of support for a third runway at Heathrow, Jonathan Reynolds said he would not "pre-empt" the Chancellor's speech. He told BBC Breakfast: "I want people to know that things that have been too difficult in the past will be focused on, will be changed, will be delivered on, by this Government. "It's not just about aviation expansion, there's a whole range of things."

He added: "We're not going to have endless judicial reviews effectively try to second-guess democratically-elected decisions from the elected government of the day. We will follow process, but that process has got to be one that can deliver the things. "We simply cannot afford to say we don't build reservoirs any more, we don't build railways, we don't build runways.

That's not good enough, we will be left behind."

Key dates in Heathrow expansion saga

07:54 , Jabed Ahmed Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give her support for the building of a third runway at Heathrow in a speech later this morning. Here are of key events in the long-running saga over the past five years:

• February 2020

• March 2020

  • Despite passenger numbers plummeting because of coronavirus pandemic travel restrictions, Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye says the airport "desperately" needs a third runway to enhance the UK's access to global markets.

• December 2020

• October 2023

  • Conservative transport minister Jesse Norman says Heathrow expansion still has the "in principle" support of Parliament but it is up to the airport to submit a Development Consent Order application which demonstrates the project will meet "strict criteria on air quality, noise and climate change, as well as being privately financed".

• February 2024

  • Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow's recently appointed chief executive, says passenger numbers growing to above pre-pandemic levels "firms up the business case" for a third runway.

• December 2024

  • Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye says the Government needs to decide if it wants a third runway "relatively fast" because "we cannot keep on spending money on this".

  • He adds: "If that answer is yes, then let's sit down and agree on the conditions that need to be true."

• January 2025

Full report | Pensioners 'missing meals' after Labour's winter fuel payment changes

07:48 , Jabed Ahmed

My colleague Albert Toth reports:

Pensioners 'missing meals' after Labour's winter fuel payment changes[25]

Water companies need 'transformational reform', campaigner warns

07:41 , Jabed Ahmed Trust in the water industry and its companies is "well and truly severed" after a "litany of broken promises", a campaigner has said. A programme agreed with regulators will see water companies undertake thousands of actions totalling GBP22 billion in investment to improve the environment.

Josh Harris, director of communications of Surfers Against Sewage, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This is an announcement of massive investment, but that is just to reach compliance over the next five years, and we're doubtful even of that, to be honest with you, and I think that shows you the true state this water industry is in." Asked whether the new announcement of investment will help to restore trust in the industry, Mr Harris said: "What we've seen over the past years and decades shows that our trust in the water industry is well and truly severed, and that's why we believe that the only solution for government is a transformational reform of the sector, and that's what we're calling on them to deliver." He added: "All water companies in England have been under enforcement action from Ofwat, they're all under criminal investigation by the EA (Environment Agency) still, and we've just got this litany of broken promises and of prosecutions for them."

Coming up in parliament today:

07:36 , Jabed Ahmed

House of Commons:

• 1130 Wales questions

• 1200 Prime Minister's Questions

• 1230 A 10-minute rule motion on Pavement Parking

• 1245 Arbitration Bill - second reading

• Motions relating to the Charter for Budget Responsibility and the Welfare Cap

• An adjournment debate on the replacement of the A432 Badminton Road M4 overbridge

Westminster Hall:

• 0930 Outsourcing by Government departments

• 1100 Potential merits of a youth mobility scheme between the EU and the UK

• 1430 Housing targets in rural areas

• 1600 Role of cadet forces

• 1630 Road safety around schools

Watch | Rachel Reeves set to pledge to 'fight' for growth in economic speech

07:16 , Jabed Ahmed

Mel Stride slams Labour's plans for growth

07:00 , Barney Davis

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride claimed that the "biggest barriers to growth" are Sir Keir, Ms Reeves and their financial plans.

Ahead of the speech on Wednesday, Mr Stride said: "Hastily cobbled together announcements of growth in the 2030s will do nothing to help the businesses cutting jobs right now because of Labour's punishing jobs tax, the companies being crushed under their barrage of new regulations, or the farmers facing bankruptcy over the cruel family farm tax."

References

1. ^ prompted fury (uk.news.yahoo.com)
2. ^ the growth plan she unveiled, (uk.news.yahoo.com)
3. ^ backing for a third runway (uk.news.yahoo.com)
4. ^ airport expansions (uk.news.yahoo.com)
5. ^ scrapped air passenger duty (www.independent.co.uk)
6. ^ redevelopment of Old Trafford (www.independent.co.uk)
7. ^ planned reforms to employment law (uk.news.yahoo.com)
8. ^ Rachel Reeves in a foul-mouthed tirade, claiming the chancellor (www.independent.co.uk)
9. ^ Ryanair boss launches foul-mouthed attack over Rachel Reeves' Heathrow growth plan (www.independent.co.uk)
10. ^ Gatwick and Heathrow expansions: Over 90 million extra passengers, but who benefits? (uk.finance.yahoo.com)
11. ^ Inside the village that will be chopped in half by Heathrow's third runway (uk.news.yahoo.com)
12. ^ David Cameron first on scene of fatal Ferrari crash as security team tried to help (www.independent.co.uk)
13. ^ Rachel Reeves will publish tax return in U-turn hours after refusing to do so (uk.news.yahoo.com)
14. ^ January 29, 2025 (twitter.com)
15. ^ What do Rachel Reeves' plans for growth mean for the economy? (www.independent.co.uk)
16. ^ Speaker scolds Kemi Badenoch for claiming Keir Starmer misled House of Commons (uk.news.yahoo.com)
17. ^ ban exploitative zero-hours contracts (www.independent.co.uk)
18. ^ How 'mixed mode' could solve Heathrow's capacity crunch long before a third runway (uk.news.yahoo.com)
19. ^ What the expansion of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton means for passengers (uk.news.yahoo.com)
20. ^ Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor (www.independent.co.uk)
21. ^ Heathrow is also expected (uk.finance.yahoo.com)
22. ^ Manchester United (www.independent.co.uk)
23. ^ Labour MP who threatened to smash a reporter's face with bat made trade envoy (uk.news.yahoo.com)
24. ^ Reeves warned 'it's crunch time' as chancellor relaunches her economic growth agenda (uk.news.yahoo.com)
25. ^ Pensioners 'missing meals' after Labour's winter fuel payment changes (uk.news.yahoo.com)