- Two thirds of MPs think greenlighting Heathrow expansion will strengthen Britain’s economy
- Heathrow is the top-rated infrastructure project by MPs for delivering growth for all regions of the UK
- Overwhelming Parliamentary support for Heathrow expansion
New polling released today by ComRes revealed that MPs across Parliament see Heathrow expansion as the most important infrastructure project for the future of the UK economy.1
MPs also ranked Heathrow expansion as the top infrastructure project for spreading growth across Britain – ahead of projects like HS2, HS3 and notably with Gatwick expansion last (Heathrow 41% vs Gatwick 3%). The findings reveal a fear amongst MPs that at a time when the country needs to unite, regional growth could be undermined if Heathrow isn’t given the green light to expand.
With two-thirds of MPs supporting a third runway at Heathrow2, the polling confirms the independent Airports Commission’s clear recommendation that Britain’s place in the world would be less secure without expansion at Heathrow.
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:
“At an uncertain time for the British economy, MPs recognise that Heathrow is a private sector infrastructure project that will spread growth across Britain from the moment that we get a green light.
Now more than ever, people across Britain are counting on the Government to take bold decisions that show we are a confident outward looking trading nation. MPs are clear that expanding Heathrow will help secure Britain’s long-term economic future.
Heathrow is the right choice for a stronger Britain.”
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Notes to editors:
ComRes interviewed 150 MPs online and by paper self-completion questionnaire between 13th April and 14th June 2016. Data were weighted to reflect the exact composition of the House of Commons in terms of party representation and regional constituency distribution. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
1 When asked to rank infrastructure projects based on how much each will benefit the UK economy overall, MPs are most likely to rank Heathrow expansion as the most beneficial project listed (38% rank it first). Around two third of MPs rank a new runway at Heathrow in their top three projects benefitting the UK economy (64%) – the only infrastructure project listed with a majority of MPs ranking it in their top three choices. The projects considered were a third runway at Heathrow, High-Speed 2, High-Speed 3, Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, Crossrail 2 and Gatwick expansion.
2 65% of MPs polled supported a third runway at Heathrow.
