Britain’s government has backed a tortured effort to build a third runway at Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, throwing its weight behind a decades-old proposal that has been beset by political, legal and environmental challenges.

Significant growth in passenger volumes has required this airport to invest billions of pounds in new development projects

It is the rich and the corporations who will take the lion’s share of the benefits from Labour’s and all airport expansions, while the poorest around the world pay the costs.

British finance minister Rachel Reeves is expected to back the expansion of Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, turning to the country's most controversial infrastructure project in her hunt for economic growth.

Rachel Reeves is facing fierce opposition within Labour over her plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

What could a third runway at Heathrow mean for tourism and the climate? Whatever the outcome, it’s still a long way away from happening.

Rachel Reeves confirmed plans for a third runway at London Heathrow Airport this morning, (Wednesday, January 29). The ambitious project has been backed by the airport itself, claiming it is the 'bold, responsible vision the UK needs to thrive in the 21st century'.

With another fatal plane crash in the headlines, many travelers may be worried about stepping onboard their next flight. Experts say that aviation is safe – though not without its problems.

After asking Ms Reeves’ office about her comments, Full Fact received a response from the Treasury. It confirmed that the last full-length runway built in Britain was in Manchester in 2001, and that the last full-length runway built in the South East was in the 1940s. – Did the IMF forecast the UK’s economy will be the fastest growing in Europe?

Rachel Reeves' support for a third runway came in a wide-ranging speech on boosting UK growth rates, which have been historically low since the 2008 global financial crisis for a variety of reasons. V

Any move to expand Heathrow must first solve travel capacity issues which will only intensify with millions of new passengers and staff travelling to the airport, a Surrey council has said. Earlier this week Chancellor Rachel backed a third runway at Heathrow as part of a fresh plan to get the UK economy growing.