By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-11 05:47:37 | Updated at 2026-10-11 06:42:55
1 hour ago
Andy Burnham is said to be "unconvinced" of the need to build a third runway at Heathrow.
Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves' £49billion third runway plan was set with a 10-year deadline of 2035, arguing it would create 100,000 jobs and massively bolster the economy.
But airport bosses admitted the deadline for planning permission was 2029, with the runway opened "within a decade" - effectively pushing the project back to 2039.
Now, the airport expansion may not go ahead at all.
Mr Burnham met with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander last week to discuss the Government's position on the Heathrow project.
He was "unconvinced" by the need for a third runway, given recent approval of expansion programmes to Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, and London City, according to The Sunday Times.
Sources told the newspaper he also pointed to a £2billion investment being made at Birmingham airport announced last week.
Downing Street sources insist Mr Burnham did not give a "firm no" to the third runway and remains "open-minded" to the expansion's benefits.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander was told by Andy Burnham he is 'unconvinced' by the need for a third runway
The Prime Minister, last month, refused to back the London infrastructure project when directly asked.
He said: "I think principally, it's a matter for London and Londoners."
He added: "I think we ought to hear the voice of people there first. It's not right for me to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation."
Labour opponents of the expansion scheme include Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Mayor of London Lord Khan.
The Conservatives have pledged support for a third runway - which has now been delayed to 2039
The Climate Change Committee, the Government's official advisory group, said the third runway was not "currently compatible" with Net Zero targets last month.
But the Transport Secretary said the carbon impact of an increase could be offset "holistically" elsewhere.
Reform UK said the delay was a sign of "third-world decline", while the Conservatives vowed to 'sweep away the blockers' preventing expansion.
On social media, Nigel Farage said: "Heathrow's third runway will now be delayed until 2039. China has built more than 100 airports in the last 25 years.
"Britain is truly a broken country, we can't build or do anything. Only Reform will reverse our third-world decline."
Conservative Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith at his party's conference said the Tories would do "whatever it takes to end the delays and boost capacity by backing the third runway".
A Department for Transport spokesman, reacting to the delay, previously said: "There is currently no live planning application for a third runway, and we cannot comment on ongoing consultation processes or prejudice them in a way that will only delay progress.
"The timeline has always been ambitious.
"We'll continue to work with promoters, including Heathrow, and all other stakeholders at pace to ensure the right framework is in place for which a planning application for a third runway could be considered."
