Why Healey backs Heathrow third runway growth case while Burnham ducks issue

Healey makes the growth argument

Speaking in Bangkok, Healey said airports across the UK had contributed to employment and growth. He described the case for expanding Heathrow as part of that wider economic argument.

The chancellor said the government would examine submissions to the public consultation, which has now closed. His comments were more supportive in tone than Burnham’s public position on whether the runway should proceed.

Burnham and the project’s backers

Burnham has said the decision should be for London and Londoners, rather than clearly stating whether he supports construction. A Sunday Times report said he had told transport secretary Heidi Alexander that he was unconvinced by the arguments for the project.

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said the airport’s shareholders want the scheme to move forward but cannot wait indefinitely. They may review their backing if the prime minister does not support it, he warned.

Investors and wider economic backdrop

Healey supported the third runway in a 2018 Commons vote. He was in Bangkok for the IMF’s annual meetings before returning to London to complete preparations for the 28 October budget; the IMF praised the UK’s deficit-cutting efforts, and official figures showed the economy grew in August.