Burnham stubbornly refuses to echo Chancellor's backing for Heathrow Airport expansion

Published: 04:02 EST, 13 November 2026 | Updated: 04:04 EST, 13 November 2026 Andy Burnham has raised fresh doubts about Heathrow Airport expansion as he refused to echo the Chancellor's support. The PM insisted he would not 'pre-judge' the decision on the project despite John Healey saying the Government is 'behind' it.The comments come amid behind-the-scenes wrangling over the proposals - with no timetable yet set for a Commons vote. Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves were strongly supportive of the third runway plans to boost the economy, but Mr Burnham has struck a distinctly ambivalent tone since entering No10.He has a long record of attacks on the idea. In January last year, when he was still mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Burnham labelled the expansion a 'model for an ever-overheating UK economy'.He warned it could not come at the 'expense of essential investment in northern infrastructure'. Andy Burnham has raised fresh doubts about Heathrow Airport expansion as he refused to echo the Chancellor's support Bosses at the airport are seeking to obtain permission to build a full-length, 3,500-metre runway (artist's impression)Asked earlier this week what assessment had been made by the Treasury of the economic benefits of a third runway, Mr Healey told MPs: 'So the Government is behind a third runway at Heathrow, I'm part of the Government.'Our experience in recent decades, is it not, is that successful airports are very often an engine for economic growth in the wider area? That's as true in Manchester as it is true in parts of London and elsewhere.'In terms of the assessment following the consultation period, that's not led by the Treasury. That's led by the Department for Transport, and the Government is working through the responses and the further update information we've got from that.'Separately, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told a conference that ministers were 'moving Heaven and Earth' to get the scheme going and it would be a 'shot in the arm' for the South East. But Mr Burnham was far less positive in remarks to reporters at the European Political Community summit in Dublin last night.'Well, there's a consultation that has been taking place,' the PM said.'Obviously looking at all the replies, there is a process under way within Government where a final decision will be taken, and I can't pre-judge it.'Mr Healey, Ms Alexander and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds are viewed as the main champions of the Heathrow project in Cabinet.Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Net Zero Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh are said to be far more sceptical. London Mayor Lord Khan is a vocal opponent.The Government is considering responses to a consultation on the national planning statement, with a Commons vote anticipated next year.However, a senior Government source insisted no timetable has been fixed.Heathrow Airport Limited wants to obtain permission to build a full-length, 3,500-metre runway, which would require moving the M25 motorway.Ms Reeves said in June that she was determined to get 'spades in the ground' for the third runway in the current Parliament and aimed to finish the project by 2035.However, there are now suggestions that 2039 is likely to be the earliest possible year for completion, with hopes that planning permission will be finalised in 2029.In 2018 Mr Burnham said: 'I'm against a third runway at Heathrow because of the need to limit national levels of aviation. We should use spare capacity at Manchester and Birmingham instead.'The following year he warned that the expansion would 'trap infrastructure spending inside the M25 for ten years'. Chancellor John Healey insisted earlier this week that the Government is 'behind' the project, despite the PM taking a non-committal stance