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Treasury minister Simon Murray defended Heathrow’s expansion plans on Sunday, emphasizing its importance for jobs and national investment despite the Prime Minister's reluctance to fully endorse it. Murray stated that the project is crucial not just for London but for the entire country, noting the estimated cost of £33 billion and potential capacity increase to 150 million passengers annually. Labour figures also remain cautious about backing the third runway, with Andy Burnham saying he would wait for consultation results before confirming support.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Andy Burnham, the UK Prime Minister, has declined to support plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, citing the need to consider local opinions first. The project, which was initially set to be completed by 2035, is now expected to open in 2039 due to delays and regulatory challenges. Burnham's stance contrasts with his predecessor Keir Starmer’s support for the expansion, which is projected to create at least 108,000 jobs but faces significant opposition from environmental groups and communities concerned about pollution and climate impacts. Despite these challenges, Heathrow aims to secure planning permission by 2029, after which construction could take a decade. Burnham's reluctance to endorse the project further casts doubt on its future as it faces ongoing debates in Parliament and scrutiny over compliance with UK’s legally binding climate targets.
Written for “Heathrow Third Runway Delay” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 14 other(s) covering the same event.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister refused to explicitly back the project, saying it was subject to a consultation and primarily a decision for Londoners, despite the national significance of the proposals.
asserted
it → refuse → proposals
He said: “What the Prime Minister set out yesterday was that it’s important to listen to Londoners and I know that – I’m a London MP and if I listen to my constituents, you know there are different views on it.
asserted
you → say → it
“But I think we recognise that having that third runway is really important for jobs
asserted
having → think → jobs
, it’s really important to get that investment into Heathrow and it’s actually really important for the whole country because that investment in making Heathrow stronger, making our country stronger, making sure that we boost trade and making sure we get more jobs right across the country is really important for our future.”
asserted
get → ’ → future
Asked why the Prime Minister could not give his full backing to the project, Mr Murray said: “Well, he was saying that it’s important to listen to what Londoners have to say and there’s been a consultation.
uncertain
Londoners → ask → project
“The Government’s now looking at the consultation responses and will set out its response shortly.”
asserted
Government → look → response
He added: “I think Heathrow has a really important role to play and as an MP in west London, I know how important it is for jobs and my constituents.
“
asserted
it → add → jobs
But it’s not just an issue for my constituents or for people in west London or even that region.
asserted
it → ’ → London
“It’s for the whole country and it’s really important to have investment in aviation right across the country.
asserted
it → ’ → country
Labour’s support for the third runway was set out by former chancellor Rachel Reeves in January 2025.
asserted
support → set → January
Estimated to cost £33 billion, including £1.5 billion to move the M25 to build the runway, the scheme is expected to be fully privately financed.
asserted
scheme → estimate → runway
Read More
It would see Heathrow’s capacity increase to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers per year.
asserted
capacity → read → year
But Mr Burnham was unwilling to confirm that he was in favour of the project going ahead in a major interview at the start of Labour’s conference.
asserted
project → confirm → conference
“Principally, it’s a matter for London and Londoners,” he told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg when asked if he would back the move.
asserted
he → ’ → move
He diverted questions about his views, saying he would wait to hear the outcome of a consultation process on the matter.
“It’s not right for me to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation,” he said.
asserted
he → divert → consultation
He later added: “I think it’s right that we hear what people have said through the consultation, and then consider the way forward from there.”
asserted
people → add → way
Ms Reeves had suggested the runway could be open in 2035 but airport bosses have told ministers that timetable appears impossible to meet.
uncertain
timetable → suggest → ministers
The airport aims to get planning permission by 2029, and from that point believes building the new runway within a decade to be a reasonable goal.
asserted
building → aim → decade
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