Healey says Heathrow third runway would drive growth

Summary

Chancellor John Healey says a third runway at Heathrow would drive growth, after the prime minister refused to say whether he backed expansion. The Guardian reports that the government will study public consultation responses and that Healey described airports as a big part of jobs and growth; the Financial Times says the £33bn project’s future has been put in doubt since the new prime minister took office, despite Burnham wavering.

Timeline

1. Financial Times

   16 Oct 2026, 21:30 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that Healey said a new Heathrow runway would boost growth despite Burnham wavering, and that the £33bn project’s future has been put in doubt since the new prime minister took office.

2. The Guardian

   16 Oct 2026, 21:30 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Healey backed the pro-growth case for a third Heathrow runway after the prime minister declined to back it, and that the government will study public consultation responses.

3. BBC

   17 Oct 2026, 03:57 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that Healey said a third runway at Heathrow would drive growth, after the prime minister refused to say whether he backed expansion.