Government publishes Airports National Policy Statement

In a revised Airports National Policy Statement, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said that today that the Government supported the expansion of Heathrow Airport through the construction of a third runway to the north east of the existing site.

In a statement following the Government’s announcement, Heathrow called on MPs to vote for expansion when the plans are put before Parliament in the coming weeks.

Heathrow urges Parliament: “The world is waiting for Britain, vote for expansion”

• Government tables Airports National Policy Statement setting stage for Parliamentary vote within weeks
• MPs urged by businesses, unions and communities across Britain to help secure nation’s future prosperity by expanding Heathrow
• Heathrow expansion has strong cross-party support in Parliament, with latest independent polling showing 75% of MPs backing the project
• Vote will set the policy framework for Heathrow’s northwest runway development consent application — a project that is set to deliver tens of billions in economic growth and create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs, at no cost to the taxpayer

MPs are being urged to help secure Britain’s future as a global trading powerhouse by backing an expanded Heathrow, after the Government announced plans for a Parliamentary vote on the Airports National Policy Statement within weeks.

Following recent letters to politicians from Britain’s major business groups and trade unions, Heathrow is writing to all MPs today to tell them how their votes would “green light” the airport’s privately-funded expansion plans. The project is set to boost Britain’s economy by billions, open up to 40 new long-haul trading routes for Britain’s exporters, create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs across the country and lower airfares for passengers — all at zero cost to the taxpayer.

The latest independent polling from ComRes shows strong cross-party support, with 75% of MPs backing Heathrow expansion following a rigorous selection process — culminating in the Government confirming Heathrow’s northwest runway as the preferred scheme for delivering much needed new airport capacity in the South East, based on the Airports Commission’s unanimous and unambiguous support for Heathrow’s plan and, more recently, the Transport Select Committee’s conclusion that Heathrow’s northwest runway plan offers the greatest strategic benefits for the UK.

The Parliamentary vote will be a major milestone for Heathrow expansion and if successful will set the policy framework for Heathrow’s northwest runway application. Heathrow is currently preparing to hold a second public consultation on its plans before submitting a development consent application to the Planning Inspectorate, kick-starting an 18-month approval process.

Commenting on the decision to table the vote, Heathrow CEO John Holland Kaye said:

“Together with our supporters across the country, we urge all MPs to vote for expansion. Their votes will connect all of Britain to global trade, increase competition and choice for passengers and create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs for future generations. The world is waiting for Britain. It’s time to vote for Heathrow expansion.”

Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey strongly urged MPs to vote for expanding Heathrow, saying:

“Heathrow expansion, one of the biggest construction projects in Europe, answers the demands of many Unite members across the UK — for more skilled, well-paid and sustainable jobs. Expansion will deliver these jobs and growth to every nation and region of the UK, whilst Heathrow deliver on the work they have been doing to address environmental concerns; all at a critical time for UK workers.

“I would strongly urge Members of Parliament to vote in favour of expansion at Heathrow.”

British Chambers of Commerce Director General, Dr Adam Marshall said:

“Business communities across the UK want an end to decades of political indecision and an unequivocal green light for Heathrow expansion. A resounding vote for Heathrow expansion in Parliament would do more than just unlock this crucial infrastructure project, as it would give a huge boost to business confidence and investment at a time of significant change.”

Executive Director of Back Heathrow Parmjit Dhanda said:

“More residents living near the airport support Heathrow expansion than oppose it, so this is good news for local people who have been waiting for far too long for a decision.

“The people that live in the diverse local communities near Heathrow are crying out for the jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities that a new runway will create. We urge MPs to listen to local people, who are the scheme’s greatest champions and its biggest beneficiaries. It’s time to get on and build it.”

The Airport Operators Association also welcomed the announcement, but said that the Government must now set out a strategy for aviation growth across the UK.

Welcome next steps on aviation capacity across the UK

Responding to the publication of the Airports National Policy Statement and the announcement by the Transport Secretary that the Government supports the best use of existing aviation infrastructure, Chief Executive of the AOA, Karen Dee said:

“A global Britain requires connectivity to both established and emerging markets right across the country and thus needs both world-class hub and point-to-point capacity.

“The publication of the Airports NPS alongside the announcement that the Government supports all airports in their efforts to make best use of their existing infrastructure are important steps to help the country deliver, sustainably, the connectivity it requires in the future.

“The Government’s planned Aviation Strategy now needs to set out a clear framework for aviation growth across the UK, ensuring that airports have the capacity to better link communities and businesses with domestic and international markets. Better connectivity will drive inward investment, develop new trading opportunities, bring tourists to the UK and create jobs and economic growth in all parts of the UK as a result.

“In addition to today’s welcome announcements, this will require a roadmap for improved surface access, the modernisation of UK airspace as well as a presumption in favour of sustainable development of new capacity.”

The Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said that MPs should be given a free vote on the expansion plans:

“There should be a free vote on Heathrow expansion. MPs must be allowed to vote with their consciences on an issue that has negative economic consequences across many regions of the country — as well as causing environmental problems locally and globally.

“Grayling’s failure to properly answer my question and not announce a free vote for the Conservatives is damning. This suggestion even offers the Conservatives a solution to one of their many Boris problems. Rather than hiding away abroad he would be able to do the right thing and vote against expansion.”

While Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas called the plans ‘disastrous’ and sought support from fellow opponents Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson:

“This disastrous decision by the Government flies in the face of common sense and climate science. The fact that Chris Grayling didn’t even mention climate change in his statement is an absolute disgrace. We know that expansion at Heathrow will make meeting our carbon emission targets near impossible, and that local people will suffer as a result. It’s also deeply depressing that support for Heathrow is now part of a cross-party consensus, and that some of the voices of dissent have shrunk away in recent times. This Government’s claims to be ‘green’ increasingly look like a bad joke.

“I’m calling on longstanding opponents like Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell, Boris Johnson and Greg Hands to join me in making the public case against this damaging plan in the coming weeks. If Boris Johnson does plan a trip abroad to miss the vote, as reported, then he will be guilty of unforgivable cowardice. History will not forgive those who failed to make a stand for what’s right at this most crucial of moments.”

Lilian Greenwood, chair of the Transport Select Committee, said:

“When the Transport Committee published its report on the Airports National Policy Statement in March — we recommended that safeguards be added before it passed to MPs for debate. Now that the final Airports National Policy Statement has been laid, we will be able to see what changes the Government has made to mitigate the significant social and environmental impacts from expansion at Heathrow.

“We won’t have analysed all of the information published today in time for the debate we’ve secured on our report on Thursday this week but that debate will be a useful opportunity for all Members to consider and debate our recommendations. These plans have been more than 20 years in the making. The fallout from the decision will last much longer. It’s important we get this right.”

Manchester Airports Group, which operates Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands airports, welcomed backing for the expansion of existing capacity in the NPS but called for the Government to match it support for Heathrow with measures aimed at the smaller hubs:

Ken O’Toole, CEO of London Stansted Airport, said: “Ahead of the anticipated decision from Uttlesford District Council relating to our application to increase the airport’s limit on passenger numbers to 43 million per year, we welcome today’s statement from Government confirming its support for airports looking to make best use of existing capacity.

“It is vital for the UK economy that the country has the best possible aviation connections and that there is an urgent need to actively support airports, like London Stansted, that can deliver that access now.

“Over the last five years we have increased passenger numbers by nearly 10 million, doubled the number of airlines and secured six new services to the most popular destinations for passengers from the region including Dubai, New York, Boston, Toronto and Washington.

“Building on these successes, we are investing £600 million to improve the airport experience and have submitted a planning application to make best use of our single runway. This will unlock Stansted potential and enable us to serve up to 43 million passengers, deliver 50 percent of London’s expected passenger growth over the next decade and extend the choice of airlines and destinations we serve.”

Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: “We welcome today’s statement from Government confirming its support for airports looking to make best use of existing capacity and agree that it is vital for the UK economy that the country has the best possible international connections

“Manchester Airport has demonstrated the role it can play in connecting the North to key overseas markets through the launch of services to the likes of Hong Kong, Beijing, San Francisco and Boston in recent years and the announcement of new routes to Africa and India in the past few weeks. Manchester is also serving as a second global gateway to the UK for investors and visitors.

“Building on these successes, Manchester Airport is investing more than £1bn in transforming its facilities and unlocking the spare capacity on its exiting two full-length runways.

“It is clear, therefore, that is has a vital role to play in meeting the UK’s demand for connections to global markets at a time when other major airports will have run out of capacity.

“Government must now match its support for a third runway at Heathrow with specific and practical proposals to maximise the potential of airports like Manchester in the period to 2030 — the earliest the third runway is likely to be delivered — and beyond that.

“This includes support for schemes like Northern Powerhouse Rail, which will dramatically improve access to the North’s primary international gateway and help secure dozens more direct long haul services to key overseas economies.”

Karen Smart, MD of East Midlands Airport, said: “We welcome the government’s commitment to unlock the potential of regional airports to make best use of existing capacity. It is vital for the UK economy that the there is support for airports like East Midlands that can deliver greater access to world markets.

“As the region’s global gateway, EMA plays a critical role in getting people and products to overseas markets. As the country’s busiest airport for dedicated cargo traffic, it is already a key driver of the UK economy.

“Further investment in the airport would help meet the demand for growing connectivity to global markets over the next decade at a time when other major airports will run out of capacity. This would benefit both the UK as a whole, and stimulate regional imports and exports and local business growth.

“The Government must now match its support for Heathrow with specific and practical proposals to maximise EMA’s global connectivity in the period to 2030, including support for better rail connectivity serving East Midlands Parkway, and backing regional transit infrastructure to link the proposed HS2 Toton to the airport.”

Meanwhile the International Airlines Group, which operates the British Airways and Aer Lingus carriers, issued a stark warning over pricing:

“Today Heathrow is the most expensive hub airport in the world. The Government has missed an opportunity to provide the UK with the airport it needs at a price it can afford.

“The Civil Aviation Authority has the responsibility to curb Heathrow’s excesses and inefficiency. We will be looking to the regulator to protect customers and keep charges flat in real terms. The alternative is long term damage to the UK economy”.

The Institute of Directors said that business would support the expansion:

Stephen Martin, Director General of the Institute of Directors, said: “Businesses will be delighted by the Cabinet’s decision to proceed with a new Heathrow runway. This gets us within touching distance of the end of a debate that has drawn out for far too long, holding us back at a time when we should be looking outward to become a truly global Britain.

“Heathrow is the most-used airport for business travel among our members. The new runway will help the UK deliver on its ambition to be a hub for international commerce. We hope the Government will continue to develop the infrastructure and connectivity firms need to expand on a global stage.

“While the new runway is being built, we also need to make better use of capacity at existing airports in the South East, and indeed the rest of the country. Competition between airports is good for customers and expansion at Heathrow will not on its own give the UK the connections it needs to fulfil its ambitions to trade across the world.”

While the TaxPayers’ Alliance lobby group said that the decision was good for the economy and taxpayers:

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “The government finally making progress on big policy decisions like the Heathrow third runway is good news for the economy and for taxpayers. This announcement hopefully heralds the start of an ambitious pro-growth agenda, aimed at laying the groundwork for a global Britain.

In order to seize the opportunities ahead, the government should also relax planning laws, reduce the regulatory burden on SMEs and cut taxes. This would give Britain’s economy a welcome boost and enable businesses to compete on the world stage.”

The GMB union, which represents workers at Heathrow, said that the benefits of expansion would include 180,00 new jobs, a doubling in the number of apprenticeships and £187 billion in economic benefits, but warned that politicians must ‘stop dithering’:

Mick Rix, GMB National Officer, said: “The time for politicians dithering and delaying on Heathrow is over. This long-awaited vote is crunch time for our members across the country who stand to benefit from Heathrow expansion.

“We’ve been waiting long enough for this Government to pull itself together and to put this plan to MPs and secure the future of the airport and the jobs it can and will support.”