Rachel Reeves is defending her plans to grow the UK economy this morning after a backlash over the government backing a third Heathrow runway.The Chancellor rejected criticism of the government’s support to expand Heathrow Airport after she set out plans to remove barriers to growth in the hope of kickstarting the UK’s stuttering economy.

The chancellor says the airport is at "the heart of the UK's openness as a country" and a third runway could lead to 100,000 more jobs.

The PM has been joined by Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband, Sadiq Khan and Yvette Cooper for service for the former deputy prime minister under Tony Blair

The chancellor has pointed to the government's planning reforms as the reason why the project could be completed in 10 years.

The PM has been joined by Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband, Sadiq Khan and Yvette Cooper for veteran Labour MP’s funeral

U.K. Treasury chief Rachel Reeves says that the new Labour government is backing the construction of third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed the government's backing for a new runway at Heathrow Airport. In a major set piece speech setting out her plans to revitalise the UK's economy, the Chancellor said ministers “cannot duck the decision any longer”.

Heathrow Airport could get the political green light from Chancellor Rachel Reeves later this month for its mega upgrade - but campaigners are furious.

The Chancellor's plans to build a third runway at Heathrow could turn great swathes of the English countryside into "noise sewers", campaigners claim.

The Labour mayor for London, Sadiq Khan, immediately came out swinging after Reeves’ announcement. He said: “I remain opposed to a new runway at Heathrow airport because of th

Some Labour MPs encouraged the Government to strike a balance between growth and environmental concerns, while the Tories claimed talk of Heathrow expansion was a “panicked and rushed attempt” by Ms Reeves to “distract attention from the state of the economy”.

Hillingdon’s ruling Conservative group also strongly oppose Heathrow expansion, as does Hayes & Harlington MP John McDonnell, now an Independent.