There are some who say expanding airport capacity will only benefit ‘wealthy jet-setters and airline bosses’ but our UK air connectivity plays a vital role in supporting economic growth right across the country and, most particularly, locally. It underpins the UK’s position as a hub for global trade through air freight, which represented 57% of the UK’s non-EU exports by value in 2023. Air freight is particularly important for supporting export-led growth in sectors where goods are of high value or time critical.
International connectivity drives investment in the UK, granting global companies access to British markets, and adds billions to the UK economy through tourism. In 2023, overseas residents spent over £31 billion on their visits to the UK. According to the Department for Transport (DfT) analysis of Office for National Statistics (ONS) statistics, the air transport sector directly contributed £14 billion to UK GDP in 2023 and provided over 140,000 jobs across the UK in 2022, supporting many more jobs. These support families and homes, laying bare the challenges on getting this right of our local community and our economy.
Two major issues around airport expansion which I have been asked to address by constituents, are the impact it may have on our national climate change goals and the possibility of increased noise pollution affecting our local community. Firstly, I am aware that any environmental impact will be considered as part of the Development Consent Order process, and the Climate Change Committee will assess aviation’s role in our carbon budgets in due course. It is welcome news the technical consultation and analysis as part of the last Government's Jet Zero programme showed the aviation sector can achieve net zero without Government intervention to limit aviation growth. I would strongly encourage the Government to preserve people's ability to fly while supporting consumers in making sustainable aviation travel choices. Airports are also expected to set targets for sustainable passenger and staff travel to the airport that align with the UK's national climate change goals, with progress monitored by their respective Airport Transport Forums.
Noise is regulated at all British airports. This can include noise limits and restrictions on night flights while some airports operate grant schemes to install sound insulation in affected homes. The Department for Transport's approach to managing aircraft noise has historically been based on the principles of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Balanced Approach to aircraft noise management. This ensures that decisions regarding an airport’s operations take into account both health and economic factors. Operating restrictions are only introduced at airports if there are no other ways of achieving the desired benefits. Night flight restrictions, importantly, have existed at Heathrow since 1962, Gatwick since 1971, and Stansted since 1978. The current system, often referred to as the "Quota Count" system, was established in 1993. This system places limits on both movements and the amount of noise energy that can be emitted at each airport with fines imposed if noise departure limits are breached.
The last Government consulted on proposals for the next night flight regime of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airports as the current regime is due to expire in October 2025 and this government has stated that, as proposed in the consultation, the movement and Quota Count limits at Heathrow and Gatwick for the next regime will remain the same as they are now.
At major airports with more than 50,000 movements per year, noise regulation is agreed locally, often through local planning agreements. Airport operators are required to prepare airport Noise Action Plans and it is up to individual airports to determine, including through public consultation, the most effective measures to implement within an action plan. It is welcome that all major airports within scope of the regulations have produced their noise action plans for 2024 to 2028. Where the government sets the procedures, these are monitored by the airport’s noise and track-keeping systems. Data is received from National Air Traffic Services radars and permanent noise monitors located around the airport. Adherence to the noise abatement procedures is reported via the airport’s flight performance report, which is available on the airport’s website.
More broadly, technology is already making a significant difference, and new aircraft models make between 30 and 50 per cent less noise on take-off and landing than previous equivalent models. I hope that the government continues to support steps that effectively reduce aircraft noise and ensures companies follow existing rules.
The Conservative Government plans for airport expansion were always focussed on building a new hub and increased capacity at Heathrow, not Gatwick. We can all recognise that the completion of a third runway at Heathrow does have the potential to bring considerable economic benefits for the UK which would be welcomed. Therefore, in principle, I do not oppose the construction of a suitable third runway acknowledging the environmental impact and constraints. More broadly, I do not believe net zero targets should override the need for economic growth and prosperity. This is, of course, a question of striking a suitable balance for our next generation and to address local concerns and air quality challenges. However, the Conservative transport minister Jesse Norman was clear in October 2023 that it was up to the airport to submit a Development Consent Order application which demonstrates the project will meet “strict criteria on air quality, noise and climate change, as well as being privately financed”. This is now being actively encouraged by the current Labour Government in their elusive search for much needed UK growth.
It is surprising to see the Labour Government's direct support for this project despite the Prime Minister's previous opposition, the previous publicly declared, clear opposition of the current Secretary of State for Transport and seven other current Cabinet Ministers including the Energy Secretary, Heathrow not having yet submitted a Development Consent Order and the absence of clear plans from the Government regarding airspace, noise and additional work that would have to be done around the airport.
The 12th of February 2025 saw the announcement of a new multibillion-pound investment programme from Heathrow Airport which will see the investment of billions in a new expansion programme for new terminal buildings, aircraft stands, passenger infrastructure and its third runway plans as part of its project of expansion. While this was welcomed by the Labour Government, the decision to expand Heathrow Airport must be based not merely on principle but on practicalities. I would note that there are clear and significant logistical barriers that would make its construction challenging. Therefore, the Government must address these clear challenges. It is only right the Government and Heathrow fully answer the reasonable questions and concerns of local people before the project moves forward. Ultimately, Heathrow expansion must be a privately funded, private sector project, and any development must ensure that it delivers for both local communities and the fare paying public.
In the case of Gatwick, a separate planning process is already well under way with London Gatwick Airport having formally submitted a development consent order on 6 July 2023 to convert its standby runway for regular use. A decision by the Labour Government is imminent. This has been undermined, in my view, by the clear indication from this government that they wish to see it proceeding. This change could potentially allow the airport to serve 75 million passengers, up from 45 million and I appreciate there are many valid concerns about the proposal and the way it has been proposed.
I have always disagreed with this ‘back door’ approach to expansion. I have been clear on that with the management at hearings. To that end, I have had regular meetings with the leadership team at Gatwick to share the concerns of constituents around this process and other surface travel issues, particularly east/west, including connectivity, bus and rail links and road capacity in order to protect the environment, minimise noise and air pollution while still creating the jobs we need in our local communities. We met most recently again at the Party Conference and I will be meeting with them again once the proposals have been decided. This is expected by the 27th February 2025 so the decision is very much due.
It is essential the Government carefully reviews the proposal to ensure it strikes a balance between the clear and vital economic benefits to our area and maintaining standards and environmental protections. Importantly, they must fully consider the clear views of a range of local people and key stakeholders such as the railways, to ensure our communities served by this airport receive a fair deal and uncertainties around future changes in airspace, additional noise, surrounding infrastructure, housing and transport needs as well as the environment are properly addressed. I will be following this issue very closely on behalf of my constituents whatever the outcome to make sure the balance between jobs, opportunities and our local environment are managed sustainably and effectively.
