Another Burnham U-turn as Chancellor confirms backing for Heathrow’s third runway opposed by PM when he was Manchester mayor
Chancellor John Healey has confirmed that the government continues to support a third runway at Heathrow Airport, a stance that appears at odds with Andy Burnham's long-standing opposition to the project when he was Manchester mayor. Healey told the Commons that Labour was backing the scheme because "the economic case stacks up and will help bring growth", following on from former chancellor Rachel Reeves's pledge in June to get "spades in the ground" and have the runway built by 2035. The confirmation is notable given Burnham's history of criticising the project, including branding it a "model for an ever-overheating UK economy" as recently as last year.
Burnham has opposed Heathrow expansion since at least 2018, when he argued spare capacity at Manchester and Birmingham should be used instead, and later warned it would "trap infrastructure spending inside the M25" at the north's expense. Heathrow Airport Limited wants to build a full 3,500-metre runway, requiring the M25 to be rerouted, at an estimated cost of £33billion, including £1.5billion for the motorway move; the privately financed scheme would raise capacity to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers annually. The plans remain opposed by climate experts and London Mayor Lord Khan of Tooting, though Heathrow argues expansion is now more urgent after Istanbul overtook it as Europe's busiest airport in July.
In short
- Chancellor Healey confirms government backing for Heathrow's third runway
- Contradicts Andy Burnham's past opposition as Manchester mayor
- £33billion scheme would move the M25 and boost capacity
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters argue that Heathrow’s expansion could increase the UK’s capacity for trade and travel, strengthen connections with international markets and support economic growth. They say private financing limits the direct burden on taxpayers, and that acting now could help Heathrow compete with rapidly growing European hubs.
The case against
Opponents argue that a costly expansion centred on Heathrow would concentrate investment in the south-east while doing too little to address transport needs elsewhere in the UK. They also point to the scale of the works, including rerouting the M25, and to climate concerns about accommodating substantially more flights.
Explained simply
Heathrow is the UK’s largest airport and a major hub for international flights. Its owner, Heathrow Airport Limited, wants to add a third runway, which would require moving part of the M25 and is expected to be privately financed.
The project has long been debated because it could allow more flights and passengers, while requiring substantial construction and affecting the surrounding area. Supporters point to economic growth and the airport’s ability to compete with other European hubs; opponents have raised concerns about climate impacts and whether transport investment is too concentrated in the south-east.
Andy Burnham, who was mayor of Greater Manchester, argued that spare capacity at airports such as Manchester and Birmingham should be used instead. His past opposition reflects a wider debate over how the costs and benefits of major infrastructure projects should be shared across the country.
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