Chancellor John Healey argued there is a “pro‑growth” case for proceeding with a long‑planned third runway at Heathrow, while saying ministers will study the responses to the government’s public consultation on the project. Healey described airports as a “big part of jobs and growth” as he set out the economic rationale for considering the expansion.
The remarks follow an apparent reluctance from the prime minister to publicly back the runway, with Downing Street declining to endorse the proposal. Healey’s intervention places the issue squarely in the centre of economic and political debate, signalling that Treasury thinking will weigh the potential benefits for trade and employment alongside other considerations.
Government response and consultation
Healey said the administration would take into account the findings of the consultation process before reaching a final position. He did not set out a timetable for any decision, instead emphasising the need to review written responses and evidence submitted by stakeholders and the public.
Background and party context
Healey’s comments echo themes advanced by his predecessor as chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who made approval of the runway a central plank of her “growth speech” last year. Reeves argued the expansion would “make Britain the world’s best‑connected place to do business”, framing the project as integral to an economic strategy focused on improving connectivity and competitiveness.
The Heathrow runway proposal has long been a focal point for debates about infrastructure, growth and regional connectivity. Healey’s public endorsement of the pro‑growth case ensures the plan will remain a prominent issue as ministers assess consultation responses and weigh economic arguments against wider political and environmental considerations.