Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to Appendix 2, page 61, Annex 1: Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects reform, of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Impact assessment (published May 2025) Appendix 2, page 61, and the November 2027 target date for the updated Airports National Policy Statement, whether they anticipate that the infrastructure planning application for the Heathrow Airport expansion can be submitted before the publication and ratification of the revised Airports National Policy Statement.

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the Government will review the Airports National Policy Statement in line with the requirements of the Planning Act 2008.

When the ANPS has been reviewed, and depending on the outcome of the review, it will be for scheme promoters to decide when to submit a Development Consent Order application for a third runway scheme.