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

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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”.

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 £100,000 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 £99,431 in tax after making £275,000 in capital gains.

The release showed that the Labour leader paid £44,308 in income tax in 2022/23.

He also paid £52,688 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.

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 £13 to £15.

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.”

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.”