Chancellor Healey sees growth case for Heathrow third runway; PM Burnham has not backed it
Chancellor John Healey said in Bangkok that the case for a third Heathrow runway "has always been a case for growth", while Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to back the £33bn scheme. The government says it is reviewing responses to a closed consultation.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Chancellor John Healey said there is a pro-growth case for a third runway at Heathrow, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to back it. The GuardianLC “John Healey has said there is a pro-growth case for going ahead with a third runway at Heathrow despite the prime minister declining to back it.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “John Healey has suggested there is a pro-growth case for proceeding with a third runway at Heathrow” Read at GB News ↗ Left · 1Asked about the project in Bangkok, where he was attending the IMF annual meetings, Healey said the government would study responses to a public consultation that recently closed. He said airports had been "a big part of jobs and growth" and that "the case for a third runway at Heathrow has always been a case for growth". The GuardianLC ““I think in recent decades, and this is true in Heathrow and airports right across the UK, that they have been a big part of jobs and growth. And the case for a third runway at Heathrow has always been a case for growth,” he said.”“The chancellor was in Bangkok to attend the International Monetary Fund annual meetings” Read at The Guardian ↗ Right · 1GB News quotes Healey as adding: "The formal position now is that the consultation is closed. Led by the transport department, we’re reviewing those and further decisions, and announcements will follow." GB NewsR “The formal position now is that the consultation is closed. Led by the transport department, we’re reviewing those and further decisions, and announcements will follow.” Read at GB News ↗
Mixed · 2Burnham, who took office in July, has ducked the question, suggesting it should be "a matter for London and Londoners". The Guardian cites a Sunday Times report that he told Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander he was "unconvinced" by the case; GB News says he has said his position depends on the consultation and planning process. The GuardianLC “A recent Sunday Times report suggested the prime minister had told the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, that he was “unconvinced” by arguments for the megaproject.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “Mr Burnham has refused to confirm his support, saying it depends on consultation and the planning process.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1Earlier in the week Alexander told the AirportsUK conference that "Britain loses by standing still" and that a third runway could create jobs, investment and growth, though a final decision was still to be made after the consultation. GB NewsR “"Britain loses by standing still, and that focus on competitiveness is guiding our approach to Heathrow.” Read at GB News ↗ Right · 1The prime minister's official spokesman said growth is "obviously very important" but called it a major privately financed project with a proper process to follow. He said any decision must meet the government's tests on climate, noise and air quality, and that there is currently no live planning application. GB NewsR “Any final decisions will have to meet the tests we’ve set on climate, noise, and air quality. But there’s currently no live planning application for a third runway.” Read at GB News ↗
Mixed · 2Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said shareholders want to proceed but "cannot wait forever". The Guardian reports that investors could reassess their backing for the £33bn project without prime ministerial support, and that the owners, including Qatar's investment authority, Ardian, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and GIC, are expected to decide in the coming months whether to seek formal planning permission. The GuardianLC “The airport’s owners include Qatar’s investment authority; the French private equity firm Ardian; Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, GIC.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “But of course we cannot wait forever.” Read at GB News ↗ Mixed · 2The scheme is opposed by environmental campaigners, the Green Party, local resident groups and London mayor Sadiq Khan; Green leader Zack Polanski called it a "great betrayal". The Guardian notes Healey voted for a third runway in the Commons in 2018. GB NewsR “The project, estimated to cost £33billion, is opposed by environmental campaigners, the Green Party, local resident groups, and London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan.” Read at GB News ↗ The GuardianLC “Healey voted in favour of the third runway when the question was put to the House of Commons in 2018.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Mixed · 2The outlets differ on who championed the plan before Burnham: the Guardian says it was Healey's predecessor as chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who put approval at the heart of her growth speech last year, while GB News names Sir Keir Starmer as Healey's predecessor who championed it. Healey has returned to London to finalise his 28 October budget. The GuardianLC “Healey’s predecessor as chancellor, Rachel Reeves, put approval of the long-planned runway at the heart of her “growth speech” last year”“has returned to London to put the finishing touches to his 28 October budget.” Read at The Guardian ↗ GB NewsR “While the scheme was championed by his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer” Read at GB News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Business-and-politics piece contrasting Healey's growth case with Burnham's reluctance, with the investor-patience warning from Heathrow and its owners.
- Emphasis
- Investor risk, the owners' identities, Healey's 2018 vote, the Sunday Times report that Burnham is 'unconvinced', and the budget and IMF context.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report the prime minister's spokesman's tests on climate, noise and air quality, or opposition from the Greens, residents and Sadiq Khan.
- Charged language
- “ducked the issue”“megaproject”
- For example
-
“He appeared to strike a markedly more positive note than Burnham, however.” — The Guardian
Centre1 outlet
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Presents Healey as signalling support and as at odds with Burnham, who is shown as isolated from 'two of his most senior cabinet ministers'.
- Emphasis
- Cabinet split, Alexander's comments, the opposition including Polanski's strong quotes, and the spokesman's conditions.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits the Sunday Times 'unconvinced' report, the identity of Heathrow's owners and Healey's 2018 vote.
- Charged language
- “ducking issue”“refusal to back it”“reckless project”“great betrayal”
- For example
-
“Despite two of his most senior cabinet ministers signalling support for the proposals, Mr Burnham has refused to confirm his support” — GB News
What every side reports
- Healey said the case for a third runway at Heathrow has always been a case for growth.
- Burnham has not backed the runway, saying it is a matter for London and Londoners.
- The consultation has closed and the government is reviewing responses.
- Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said shareholders cannot wait forever.
- The project is estimated to cost £33bn.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether Healey endorsed the runway
- Left
- Says Healey backs the pro-growth case and struck a markedly more positive note, while saying the government will study consultation responses.
- Right
- Says Healey signalled his own support and 'suggested he would back the proposals', while quoting him on the formal review process.
-
Who championed the runway before Burnham
- Left
- Rachel Reeves, Healey's predecessor as chancellor, put approval at the heart of her growth speech.
- Right
- Names Sir Keir Starmer as Healey's predecessor who championed the scheme.
John Healey person
Sees a growth case for the runway but says the government is formally reviewing consultation responses, led by the transport department.
“The formal position now is that the consultation is closed.” — GB News
“the case for a third runway at Heathrow has always been a case for growth” — The Guardian
Andy Burnham person
Has not committed, suggesting it is for London and Londoners and depends on consultation and planning; his spokesman says growth matters but climate, noise and air quality tests apply.
“suggesting it should be “a matter for London and Londoners”.” — The Guardian
“there’s a proper process to go through.” — GB News
Heathrow third runway topic
Heathrow's chief executive wants clarity from government; shareholders are willing but impatient. The scheme faces opposition from environmental campaigners, the Greens and Sadiq Khan.
“It would be good to know where the Government is on this” — GB News
Left1 article
-
Healey backs pro-growth case for Heathrow third runway after Burnham ducks issue
Neutral Frames Healey as more positive than Burnham on the runway, with investor-patience context.
Centre1 article
Right1 article
-
GB NewsR ·
John Healey signals support for third runway at Heathrow despite Andy Burnham ducking issue
Critical Frames Healey as signalling support against a hesitant Burnham, with strong opposition quotes.
- 16 Oct 22:30 First The GuardianLC Healey backs pro-growth case for Heathrow third runway after Burnham ducks issue
- 17 Oct 04:34 +6h 4m GB NewsR John Healey signals support for third runway at Heathrow despite Andy Burnham ducking issue
- 17 Oct 04:57 +6h 27m BBC NewsN Third runway at Heathrow Airport would drive growth, Healey says
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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