PM Andy Burnham Refuses to Back Heathrow Third Runway

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has refused on five separate occasions to back the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport. His repeated refusals, made during an interview on Sunday, cast considerable doubt over the future of the controversial £49 billion expansion project. Mr Burnham emphasised that the scheme's viability was primarily a matter for London, noting the strong opposition from Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan.

The Prime Minister's position contrasts with that of Chancellor John Healey, who had recently offered firm support for expanding the west London airport. The Heathrow expansion plan, which airlines state would be the most expensive new runway project ever undertaken, also involves relocating the M25 motorway and has already faced years of delays.

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Prime Minister's Stance on BBC

Appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mr Burnham was questioned about supporting another runway at Heathrow, a project previously suggested by Rachel Reeves to bring billions to the economy. The Prime Minister responded by mentioning a consultation on the matter. When pressed further, he described it as a "contested issue" and stated that it was "a matter for London."

Despite repeated attempts to elicit a direct endorsement, Mr Burnham maintained that it was important to "hear the voice of people there first" and consider consultation responses before making a decision. He acknowledged the existence of "different views" that needed to be taken seriously. This stance was interpreted by some as a reflection of Mayor Sadiq Khan's lack of support for the expansion.

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Climate and Economic Considerations

Mr Burnham has previously expressed reservations about the project, suggesting it could divert essential development funds from the North of England. The proposed new runway aims to increase Heathrow's capacity to handle 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers per year. However, the UK's Climate Change Committee has warned that there is "no credible pathway" for a third runway at Heathrow within the country's legally binding climate targets, given current policies for reducing aviation emissions. The committee also highlighted that the government lacks a credible plan to decrease aviation emissions, posing a challenge to meeting overall global warming objectives.

In contrast to the environmental concerns and the Prime Minister's reticence, business leaders in London have voiced support for the expansion. Ed Richardson, programme director for Transport at BusinessLDN, stated that a third runway would provide an "immediate boost to the economy through tens of billions of private investment, which would benefit a supply chain spanning the UK."

A Heathrow spokesperson commented that expansion should not be a choice between economic growth and net zero, but must deliver both. They added that the Climate Change Committee's assessment does not alter this, acknowledging that key solutions already exist. The airport intends to continue working with the government and aviation sector partners to implement proven technologies and explore how passenger carbon taxes can support these efforts.