Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has announced that the government backs a third runway at Heathrow Airport to grow the British economy.

As part of Reeves' and the Labour government's plans to 'kickstart economic growth' across the country, they believe a third runway would "unlock" further investment into the UK.

The Chancellor also said the plans could create more than 100,000 jobs.

In her address at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire today (29 January), the Leeds West and Pudsey MP said: "According to the most recent study from Frontier Economics, a third runway could increase potential GDP by 0.43% by 2050. 

"Over half – 60% of that boost, would go to areas outside London and the South-East...increasing trade opportunities for products like Scotch whiskey and Scottish salmon - already two of the biggest British exports out of Heathrow."

She added: "We will then take forward a full assessment through the Airport National Policy Statement. 

"That will ensure that the project is value for money - and our clear expectation is that any associated surface transport costs will be financed through private funding. 

"And it will ensure that a third runway is delivered in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations.  

"Heathrow themselves are clear that their proposal for expansion will meet strict rules on noise, air quality and carbon emissions."

Twickenham MP Munira Wilson is one of six London Lib Dems against a third runway at Heathrow (credit: Munira Wilson).

Amongst those in support of the government's backing of a third runway at Heathrow include Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch, but those opposing Reeves come from her own party, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

Shortly after the Chancellor announced the government's backing of a third runway, Khan told The Standard: "Let me be quite clear and unambiguous - I remain opposed to a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

"We've managed to improve the air in London because of our policies. One of the most polluted parts of our city when it comes to air pollution is around Heathrow, and this will make that worse, not better."

Joining the capital's mayor in opposition is all six Liberal Democrat MPs in London, who two days ago sent a joint letter to Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, asking her to reject proposals for a third runway at Heathrow.

They wrote: "With both the economic and the environmental case in tatters – not to mention the terrible consequences for human health – we believe any talk of a Heathrow third runway should be stopped once and for all.

"Liberal Democrats want to see a better Heathrow, not a bigger one."