UK finance minister, asked about Heathrow expansion, says growth is her priority

22/1/2025 16:47

British Prime Minister Rachel Reeves gave her biggest indication yet that she would support expanding London's Heathrow hub, saying driving economic growth was the government's priority in answer to a question about airport expansion.



"When we say that growth is the number one mission of this government, we mean it, and that means it trumps other things," she told a Bloomberg event at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos on Wednesday.



Britain's problem in the past had been rejecting new infrastructure, she said.



"The answer can't always be no," she said, highlighting past decisions on not building pylons, airports and housing.



Heathrow, Britain and Europe's busiest airport, has for decades wanted to build a new runway to grow trade and boost tourism, but the plan is currently on ice following the COVID pandemic and multiple environmental challenges.



But according to media reports, Reeves is expected to give Heathrow's expansion the green light when she makes a speech next week setting out more detailed plans to grow the economy.