Rachel Reeves is preparing to face down Cabinet colleagues over ‘net zero’ as she pushes for a potential expansion of Heathrow
The Chancellor said ‘carbon’ emissions had too often been used as an excuse “not to invest” in comments that put her on a potential collision course with the Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues over plans to expand Britain’s major airports.
Ms Reeves also warned that Britain’s “insane” planning system had led to underinvestment in infrastructure that was now dragging on the economy.
Speaking to reporters at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Ms Reeves said:
“Growth is the number one mission of this government, because growth underpins everything else, whether that is improving our schools and our hospitals or indeed being able to get to net zero.”
Her comments come as a row brews within the Government over the long-delayed expansion of Heathrow.
The Chancellor is expected to signal her support for a third runway in a major speech on the Government’s plans for growth next week.
Seven Cabinet members including Sir Keir Starmer, Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, and Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, have previously opposed the long-troubled project.
While Ms Reeves stressed that there would be “collective Cabinet agreement” on any decision, with the Prime Minister having the ultimate sign-off, she repeated that growth had to come first when making decisions.
The remarks are the clearest signal yet that she will back the controversial expansions of Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports.
Sir Keir avoided questions about his stance on a third runway at Heathrow at Prime Minister’s questions on Wednesday.
He told MPs:
“I’m not going to comment on speculation. We as a government are committed to growth. We’re committed to the aviation sector and to our climate obligations.
But I’m not going to take lectures from those who talk about climate change but oppose vital renewable infrastructure in their own constituency.”
Ms Reeves said the Government was committed “in statute” to getting to ‘net zero’ by 2050, but added there were “lots of things that contribute to carbon emissions”.
She pointed to the Government’s ‘net zero’ efforts such as “investment in carbon capture”, lifting the “effective moratorium on onshore wind” and offering more government support for offshore wind.
She said:
“We’re doing plenty to invest in our energy security here in Britain with home grown renewables to make us more secure in the face of global energy shocks in the future, and also to bring good jobs to Britain.”
The Chancellor’s support for a third runway at Heathrow has already sparked division within Labour.
Sir Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, and Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, have both signalled they will oppose expansion. Mr Miliband has previously opposed plans for a third runway.
A further expansion of British airports is also expected to draw fierce resistance from ‘green’ campaigners, with reduced emissions from air travel still a key part of the Government’s plan to reach ‘net zero’ ‘carbon’ emissions by 2050.
There is no existing planning application for a third runway at Heathrow – which has been mooted for decades – but public support from the Government could prompt the airport to submit fresh plans.
Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, is also due to rule on expansions of Gatwick and Luton in the coming months, with approval expected.
Ms Reeves said the Government’s decision to sign-off expansion at Stansted and City Airport showed “the commitment of this government to make Britain an international trading nation, open to trade with countries around the world.”
Speaking more broadly about Britain’s planning system, the Chancellor singled out the £100m spent on a shield to protect bats as part of the HS2 as an example of how excessive regulation was holding back Britain.
Ms Reeves said:
“There’s always a reason not to invest, always a reason not to build. It’s the bats and newts. Or it might add something to carbon emissions in 20 years time, or may make the view from my house a little bit less nice.
There’s always a reason not to do something, but if we always say no: lo and behold, we’ll have the same outcome of poor growth and deteriorating living standards.”
See more here telegraph.co.uk
Header image: Sky News
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