In 2020, the Chancellor of the Exchequer faced strong criticism for being hypocritical after opposing a £150 million expansion of Leeds-Bradford Airport. At the time, the Chancellor argued that the expansion would cause a huge increase in air and noise pollution, making it a bad idea for the environment and for people living nearby.
Now, London Mayor Sadiq Khan is making it clear that he will fight against Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s plans to expand Heathrow Airport. Sadiq Khan has always been strongly against building a third runway at Heathrow, and after Reeves officially approved the expansion, he wasted no time in speaking out against it.
Khan has even hinted that City Hall might take the government to court to stop the project from moving forward. He believes the expansion will have serious consequences, and he is determined to do whatever he can to prevent it.
Speaking to the BBC, Khan explained that when Heathrow Airport submits their official plans, he and his team will carefully go through every detail. He made it clear that they will hold the government accountable and make sure that this decision is properly examined.
Khan emphasized that he has three main concerns about the expansion, though he did not list them in this interview. However, based on his previous statements, these concerns likely include increased pollution, the impact on local communities, and the overall effect on London’s environment.
He strongly warned that he will take action, saying:
“We will use whatever means we can.”
This suggests that he is ready to challenge the government’s decision legally, using any political or legal tools available to stop the expansion from happening.
During a speech in Oxfordshire, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced her plans for economic growth and revealed several major infrastructure projects. Along with the Heathrow expansion, she also promised to invest in other big developments.
One of her biggest announcements was the regeneration of Old Trafford, the home stadium of Manchester United. She also confirmed plans to reopen Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, which had been closed in the past.
While Reeves sees these projects as important steps for boosting the economy, Khan’s strong opposition to Heathrow’s expansion has created tension between City Hall and the Chancellor. It is clear that this battle over the future of UK transport and economic growth is far from over, and a legal fight could be on the horizon.
