Give Heathrow a third runway, British industries urge MPs

Britain’s biggest businesses on Monday made a last-ditch plea to MPs to give Heathrow’s proposed expansion the green light.

Ahead of a crucial early evening vote on the airport’s new runway, industry leaders called on Westminster to end years of wrangling by voting in favour of the plan. Conservative MPs were on a three-line whip to back the plan, with 40 Labour MPs expected to join them — helping it gain approval. If the SNP’s 35 MPs vote against, the margin could be tighter. Many in the City are keen to press ahead, with Brexit’s potential impact on trade looming large.

CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said: “Time is up on indecision and delay on the new runway at Heathrow. The UK must be open for business… Any more delay, and our competitors — who have been busy building their own aviation capacity and trade relationships — will pull further ahead.”

Adam Marshall, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Business wants an end to the prevarication and the delay. It’s time to crack on and build the third runway — businesses across the UK need a strong and bold signal that decisions are being made beyond Brexit.”

Stephen Phipson, chief executive of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said 80% of his industry supported Heathrow’s expansion. “Exporting is crucial to improving UK productivity and competitiveness and this is why British manufacturers are calling on MPs to back Heathrow in today’s vote,” he added.

Stephen Martin, director-general of the Institute of Directors, urged MPs to give the go-ahead and said the project should kickstart a wave of infrastructure investment.

“Heathrow is the most used airport for business travel among our members,” he said. “The new runway will help the UK deliver on its ambition to be a hub for international commerce. But it is only a start, we would urge the Government to continue to develop the infrastructure and connectivity firms need to expand on a global stage.”

Government has pledged that expansion will not cost the taxpayer and will create 100,000 jobs.