Andy Burnham has renewed questions over the future of Heathrow’s expansion plans, only weeks after his Chancellor publicly backed the project.
As the Labour conference opened, the Prime Minister repeatedly declined to give an outright endorsement to the proposed third runway during an interview.
He said the decision was primarily a matter for London, adding that ministers were still awaiting the results of a public consultation.
However, Defence Secretary John Healey told MPs earlier this month that the Government supports the Heathrow project.
The Prime Minister has criticised the proposal for years. In January last year, while serving as mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Burnham described the expansion as a “model for an ever-overheating UK economy”. He also warned that it must not come at the “expense of essential investment in northern infrastructure”.
Andy Burnham has renewed doubts over Heathrow’s expansion, just weeks after his Chancellor backed the scheme
Heathrow’s owners are seeking permission to construct a full-length runway measuring 3,500 metres
In 2018, he said: “I’m against a third runway at Heathrow because of the need to limit national levels of aviation. We should use spare capacity at Manchester and Birmingham instead.”
A year later, he cautioned that the scheme could “trap infrastructure spending inside the M25 for ten years”.
Heathrow Airport Limited is seeking approval for a 3,500-metre runway that would involve diverting or relocating part of the M25 motorway.
Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in June that she was determined to see “spades in the ground” on the third runway during the current Parliament, with a target completion date of 2035.
That timetable now appears increasingly difficult to meet, with 2039 reportedly considered the earliest realistic completion date.
Asked by the BBC if he supported the expansion, Mr Burnham replied: “Principally, it’s a matter for London and Londoners.”
When pressed on his position, he added: “It’s not right for me to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation.
“I think it’s right that we hear what people have said through the consultation, and then then consider the way forward from there.”
Heathrow’s proposed expansion has faced longstanding opposition from climate experts and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
John Healey told MPs that ministers had approved the project because it would help “bring growth”
Heathrow, however, argues that a third runway would create jobs, boost economic growth and help make air travel more affordable.
Mr Healey told the Commons earlier this month: “After years of delay, years of indecision, years of often vexatious challenge, we have given the go-ahead to this project quite simply because the economic case stacks up and will help bring growth.”
The public consultation on the Government’s Heathrow expansion national policy statement closed on September 1.
A Heathrow spokesman said: ‘We agree with the Prime Minister that local voices must be heard.
‘We know from consistent polling over the last decade that communities support our plans for expansion, and support is only growing over time.
‘But critically, expanding Heathrow is a national project which will create jobs and boost growth in every part of the country.
‘That’s why it is supported by trade unions, business groups, airports and communities across the UK and why we need to crack on with delivering it as quickly as possible.’
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