Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Heathrow Expansion

Thursday 12 February 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department launched a review of the airports national policy statement in October 2025.
  • The Department selected a single scheme to inform the review in November 2025.
  • The Department intends to consult on any revisions to the ANPS by the summer.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Transport Environment
Context

The question concerns recent progress on Heathrow expansion and addresses the lack of a sufficient evidence base for economic arguments supporting airport expansion.

Question

What recent progress her Department has made on Heathrow expansion, given that the Environmental Audit Committee recently found 'that the Government is proceeding without the necessary evidence base to sufficiently underpin its economic arguments for airport expansion.'

Answer from Keir Mather

The Department launched the review of the airports national policy statement in October 2025, and selected a single scheme to inform that review in November. We are reviewing the ANPS swiftly but thoroughly, and we intend to consult on any revisions by the summer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific concerns about economic evidence and airline industry warnings about costs.

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Q2 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Economy Transport
Context

The question concerns the economic viability of Heathrow expansion, specifically addressing airline industry warnings about unaffordable costs and questioning whether the project is primarily to save the Chancellor's credibility.

Question

Now senior figures in the airline industry are warning about serious economic consequences of the unaffordable, eye-watering costs that will be passed on to their passengers. Will the Minister now admit that the maths for Heathrow expansion simply does not add up, and that the project is about saving the Chancellor's economic credibility when her other policies are undermining growth?

Answer from Keir Mather

The hon. Lady asks about the case for Heathrow expansion and collecting the data in reference to that. The ANPS review will do exactly that, reflecting changes in legislation, policy and analysis since the current ANPS was designated in 2018. It will ensure that any proposed scheme for expansion at Heathrow will be consistent with air quality obligations and will contribute to economic growth across the entirety of the United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific concerns about airline industry warnings or whether the maths adds up.

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