Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Unclear economic benefits of airport expansion due to insufficient government evidence.
Conclusion
While airport expansion is likely to provide some economic growth through growth of the aviation sector, the level of growth to the UK economy provided by airport expansion is unclear and the Government has so far failed to provide substantial supporting evidence. (Conclusion, Paragraph 13)
Government Response Summary
The government states that airport expansion proposals must demonstrate economic growth and commits to developing and publishing updated analysis on Heathrow's economic impacts by summer 2026 as part of the ANPS review.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth as well as being delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments and meeting strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution. As part of the ANPS review, the Department for Transport (DfT) will develop updated analysis on the economic impacts of expansion at Heathrow. Detailed analytical and policy work has already begun on this. The outputs will be published alongside any amendments to the ANPS for consultation by summer 2026 and will go through the parliamentary scrutiny process set out under the Planning Act 2008. Any promoter will then need to prepare and submit a DCO application for expansion, including their own analysis, for consideration by the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State for Transport.