Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a recent assessment of the cumulative impact of multiple concurrent airport expansions at Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow.

The Government recognises a role for, and is supportive of, airport expansion where it provides economic growth and is compatible with our legally binding net zero target and strict environmental standards.

The Secretary of State has approved Luton and Gatwick Airport’s Development Consent Order (DCO) planning applications on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the relevant national policy and any material considerations. I can't comment on the merits of the Luton or Gatwick DCOs as legal proceedings are ongoing.

The Government is reviewing the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the primary basis for decision making on DCO applications for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. As part of this we will review and update the existing Appraisal of Sustainability which includes an assessment of potential cumulative effects, in line with any amendments made to the ANPS.

Any DCO application for a third runway at Heathrow Airport will need to include an assessment of the cumulation of effects with other existing and, or approved projects in its Environmental Statement.