Ed Miliband insists Heathrow’s expansion hinges on meeting UK climate targets, sparking a debate with Chancellor Rachel Reeves over infrastructure priorities.
London: Ed Miliband has made it clear that any expansion at Heathrow and other airports won’t happen unless they align with the UK’s climate goals. This puts him at odds with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who seems more focused on economic growth.
While Reeves hasn’t directly addressed the third runway at Heathrow, she’s hinted she might override environmental concerns to push the project forward. She’s all about prioritizing growth, and it looks like she’ll be making a case for expanding Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton soon.
In a recent meeting, Miliband emphasized that any aviation growth must fit within the UK’s carbon budgets. He’s serious about sticking to the 2050 emissions targets, which aim for a 100% reduction from 1990 levels. Independent advisers are also calling for a solid plan to manage emissions from aviation before any expansion can be considered.
As the Climate Change Committee prepares to release its next carbon budget, Miliband reassured MPs that if expansion can’t be justified within these limits, it simply won’t go ahead. This stance puts him in direct contrast with Reeves, who’s been vocal about supporting infrastructure projects, even if they’re not popular.
Reeves recently spoke about the need for the government to stop saying no to crucial investments. She believes that if the UK keeps turning down infrastructure projects, it will miss out on vital growth opportunities. She’s pushing for a shift in mindset within the government to start saying yes to development.
Despite the ongoing discussions, Heathrow hasn’t submitted a full application for the third runway yet. The plans have faced delays due to legal challenges and the pandemic, even though they received parliamentary approval back in 2018. Some Labour MPs are saying they’ll only support the expansion if it meets specific environmental and community standards.
