Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Commission detailed research and set out expected economic growth from airport expansion.
Recommendation
Before formally agreeing any airport expansion plans, the Government should: (Recommendation, Paragraph 14) 1) Commission more detailed and serious research into the net economic benefits. (Recommendation, Paragraph 15) 2) Clearly set out what level of growth to the UK economy it expects. This should be broken down into both individual and cumulative airport expansions. (Recommendation, Paragraph 16) 3) This should be done in a timely fashion to allow effective scrutiny of its plans and opportunities for challenge before a final decision is made. We recommend that the Government sets out in its response to this report how it will do this. (Recommendation, Paragraph 17)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government refers to its commitment to develop updated analysis on the economic impacts of Heathrow expansion as part of the ANPS review. It also states that any promoter must demonstrate compliance with ANPS requirements and that the Making Best Use policy for other airports will be reviewed for fitness for purpose.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
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.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗