British MPs are being urged to help secure Britain’s future as a global trading powerhouse by backing Heathrow expansion, after the Government announced plans for a Parliamentary vote on the Airports National Policy Statement within weeks.
Following recent letters to politicians from Britain’s major business groups and trade unions, Heathrow is writing to all MPs today to tell them how their votes would “green light” the airport’s privately-funded expansion plans. The project is set to boost Britain’s economy by billions, open up to 40 new long-haul trading routes for Britain’s exporters, create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs across the country and lower airfares for passengers – all at zero cost to the taxpayer.
The latest independent polling from ComRes shows strong cross-party support, with 75% of MPs backing Heathrow expansion following a rigorous selection process – culminating in the Government confirming Heathrow’s northwest runway as the preferred scheme for delivering much needed new airport capacity in the South East, based on the Airports Commission’s unanimous and unambiguous support for Heathrow’s plan and, more recently, the Transport Select Committee’s conclusion that Heathrow’s northwest runway plan offers the greatest strategic benefits for the UK.
The Parliamentary vote will be a major milestone for Heathrow expansion and if successful will set the policy framework for Heathrow’s northwest runway application. Heathrow is currently preparing to hold a second public consultation on its plans before submitting a development consent application to the Planning Inspectorate, kick-starting an 18-month approval process.
Commenting on the decision to table the vote, Heathrow CEO John Holland Kaye said:
“Together with our supporters across the country, we urge all MPs to vote for expansion. Their votes will connect all of Britain to global trade, increase competition and choice for passengers and create tens of thousands of new skilled jobs for future generations. The world is waiting for Britain. It’s time to vote for Heathrow expansion.”
Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey strongly urged MPs to vote for expanding Heathrow, saying:
“Heathrow expansion, one of the biggest construction projects in Europe, answers the demands of many Unite members across the UK – for more skilled, well-paid and sustainable jobs. Expansion will deliver these jobs and growth to every nation and region of the UK, whilst Heathrow deliver on the work they have been doing to address environmental concerns; all at a critical time for UK workers.
“I would strongly urge Members of Parliament to vote in favour of expansion at Heathrow.”
British Chambers of Commerce Director General, Dr Adam Marshall said:
“Business communities across the UK want an end to decades of political indecision and an unequivocal green light for Heathrow expansion. A resounding vote for Heathrow expansion in Parliament would do more than just unlock this crucial infrastructure project, as it would give a huge boost to business confidence and investment at a time of significant change.”
Executive Director of Back Heathrow Parmjit Dhanda said:
“More residents living near the airport support Heathrow expansion than oppose it, so this is good news for local people who have been waiting for far too long for a decision.
“The people that live in the diverse local communities near Heathrow are crying out for the jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities that a new runway will create. We urge MPs to listen to local people, who are the scheme’s greatest champions and its biggest beneficiaries. It’s time to get on and build it.”
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