The publication of the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement is a significant milestone toward unlocking new capacity at the UK’s hub airport – new capacity that will create jobs and apprenticeships, boost trade and grow investment across every corner of the UK.
Commenting on the publication, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said:
“The publication of the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement represents something Britain has often found difficult in recent years: progress. We strongly welcome that the Government has taken this next critical step. The UK cannot realise its full economic potential without an expanded Heathrow, and this is an important step towards delivering the capacity the country needs.
“Our plan is privately funded by some of the largest investors in the world, widely supported by businesses, trade unions and communities across the country and it’s ready to go after years of scrutiny. We will now focus on securing planning permission and delivering this vital project.”
Businesses, trade unions, airports and politicians across the country have expressed support for Heathrow’s expansion plan – including the below who have expressed their continued support today for Heathrow’s expansion plan:
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Subrahmaniam Krishan-Harihara (Director of Policy & Research) said: "Heathrow is the gateway to the UK, and its expansion is critical to the future growth of the country. With connectivity into Heathrow from all parts of the UK and then from Heathrow to the world, we believe that Heathrow expansion will benefit our regional economies. The publication of the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement is a major step forward in allowing this vital infrastructure project to proceed. We fully support these plans and look forward to working with Heathrow to maximise the supply chain, exporting and retail opportunities that this project will offer businesses in Greater Manchester."
Joint Union response (Community - the steel workers union - and GMB): "As the Trade Union General Secretaries representing those who will make, build and work at an expanded Heathrow, we want to reaffirm our longstanding support for Heathrow’s plan to deliver this generation-defining project. With their commitment to domestic supply chain, paying a living wage, a unionised employer, and a signatory to the UK Steel Charter, Heathrow have the values and experience to deliver. We welcome the progress that the publication of the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement constitutes. As a project that will deliver tens of thousands of jobs and training opportunities, we expect government to work constructively with Heathrow to maximise nationwide benefits. Moving expansion from the drawing board to reality, sends a signal to the world that the UK can build infrastructure. As Trade Unions, we are ready to play our part."
Joint regional chambers of commerce statement (North East CC, Scotland CC, Thames Valley CC, London CCI, Black Country CC, Liverpool CC, West Cheshire & North Wales CC): "Heathrow is the gateway to the UK, and its expansion is the future for growth of the UK’s regional economies. The publication of the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement is a major step forward in allowing this vital infrastructure project to proceed and we want to reaffirm our support for Heathrow’s plans. We look forward to working with them to maximise the very real supply chain, export and retail opportunities that this project will offer every nation and region of the UK."
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: "Growth is this government’s top priority, and we are backing the builders to get Britain moving. An expanded Heathrow could support over 60,000 good local jobs and deliver up to £42 billion in economic benefits - strengthening vital links and improving connectivity across the UK. This consultation is a key milestone in delivering the infrastructure our country needs. Getting here took 18 months from when we announced our support for expansion last January – the fastest ever review of a national policy statement."
Sarah Champion MP (Rotherham, Labour): "This is a vital step forward in making Heathrow expansion a reality. A third runway will deliver real opportunities for Yorkshire, including in Rotherham. From increasing access to global markets for our businesses, creating thousands of new jobs, and giving a critical boost to the manufacturing and steel industries, expansion will deliver for the whole UK.”
John Cooper MP (Dumfries and Galloway, Conservative):“From Scotch whisky to fresh Scottish salmon, Heathrow offers Scottish exporters unrivalled access to markets around the world. Heathrow expansion represents a huge opportunity for businesses in my constituency and across Scotland, and it is now vital that Heathrow can get on and deliver its tested plan after decades of debate”.
Jim Shannon MP (Strangford, Democratic Unionist Party): "I strongly welcome today’s important next step in delivering Heathrow expansion. They have the right plan to deliver a third runway and we must now move at pace to protect and strengthen the vital air links to the UK’s hub airport that are so important to my constituents and businesses right across Northern Ireland."
Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI EUROPE: "We welcome today’s announcement by the UK Government regarding its review of the Airports National Policy Statement, which sends a clear and positive signal of support for Heathrow’s expansion plans. This is a strategically important step for the UK’s future connectivity, competitiveness and economic prosperity. The evidence is unequivocal: every 10% increase in direct air connectivity translates into a 0.5% increase in GDP per capita and a 1.6% rise in jobs. Expanding Heathrow will therefore deliver significant economic and social benefits, strengthening the UK’s ability to attract investment, trade and talent while enhancing its global reach. At a time of intensifying international competition, this decision is also about Europe’s position as a leading global aviation hub and strengthening the overall connectivity and competitiveness of our aviation sector. With today’s decision marking a key milestone in the expansion debate, the focus should now shift to delivering on Heathrow’s plans and fast."
ATG Airports said: "ATG Airports are proud to have worked with Heathrow for over 25 years and welcome this major milestone that will allow our relationship to continue to flourish. Heathrow is the gateway to the UK, and its expansion is the future for growth of the UK’s regional economies. It demonstrates a huge opportunity for businesses across Greater Manchester and the North-West to play a key role in the delivery of this vital infrastructure project."
