Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Airports National Policy Statement, published on 5 June 2018, in the context of the potential impact of airport expansion proposals approved at (a) London Gatwick, (b) London Luton, (c) London Stansted and (d) London City on the UK's climate commitments.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they are in line with the UK’s legal, environmental and climate obligations.
The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) has effect in relation to the provision of a Northwest Runway at Heathrow Airport. Nonetheless, the ANPS is clear that it is still a relevant and important consideration in the determination of airport related developments, particularly where it relates to London or the South East of England.
In January the Chancellor announced that the Government will review the ANPS, which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. Further details on this will be announced shortly. The current ANPS remains operational until the review has been completed.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of compliance of proposals for the expansion of Heathrow airport with her Department's four tests.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The government supports expansion at Heathrow Airport. In June 2025 the Secretary of State published a letter to potential promoters, inviting proposals by 31 July 2025 and outlining the essential information required in initial plans. The government has received proposals for a third runway which it is now assessing, to support the forthcoming ANPS review against the criteria set out in the Secretary of State’s letter (link). This includes a demonstration that proposals could maximise economic growth opportunities, whilst complying with the UK’s legal, environmental and climate obligations, including in relation to air and noise pollution.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they will make of the environmental impact of additional flights if Heathrow Airport is expanded, and whether they will publish that assessment.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The government supports expansion at Heathrow Airport and has received proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. Once proposals have been reviewed, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the basis for decision-making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. This will include expectations on environmental impacts of an expanded Heathrow, including the likes of carbon, noise and air pollution.
The Planning Act 2008 requires that before amending the ANPS, the Secretary of State must carry out an Appraisal of Sustainability of the policy, which will be published alongside any amended ANPS.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria will be used in deciding whether to agree to the proposals for the expansion of Heathrow Airport, and whether they will publish those criteria.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow Airport. On 30 June 2025, the Secretary of State for Transport published a letter online to potential promoters outlining the criteria against which any proposals would be considered, including stating how schemes must contribute to economic growth and be delivered in line with our legal, environmental and climate commitments.
The assessment of the proposals is being carried out to support the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow Airport. It will be for scheme promoters to decide when to submit any Development Consent Order (DCO) application for a third runway scheme depending on the outcome of the ANPS review. The Secretary of State will decide whether to grant consent for the DCO, in accordance with the Planning Act 2008.
Asked by: Gareth Davies (Conservative - Grantham and Bourne)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the consultation on Reform of Landfill Tax, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to the Landfill Tax on the (a) cost and (b) viability of (i) the expansion of Heathrow airport and (ii) other major infrastructure projects.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government consulted on proposals for reform of landfill tax on 28 April following a call for evidence in 2021. The consultation closed on 28 July, and the government is currently considering responses.
As part of the consultation on Reform of Landfill Tax, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the construction sector. Reducing the amount of waste material sent to landfill remains a key environmental objective, supporting the transition to a circular economy. The government recently published a 10-year infrastructure strategy that set out the government’s long-term plan for economic, housing and social infrastructure to drive growth.
We will continue to work across government and engage with stakeholders, including the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, to assess the potential impacts on infrastructure projects. This approach will ensure that infrastructure delivery is supported while advancing circular economy objectives.
The government will respond to the consultation in due course.
Asked by: Lord Jamieson (Conservative - Life peer)
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.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
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.
Asked by: Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat - Richmond Park)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Table 9.2 of her Department's report entitled Updated Appraisal Report: Airport Capacity in the South East, published in October 2017, whether it remains her Department's estimate that the net present value of a Heathrow northwest runway has a high of £3.3billion and a low of minus £2.2billion.
Answered by Mike Kane
The latest published information on the net present value of a Heathrow Northwest runway is contained in the “Addendum to the Updated Appraisal Report” published June 2018 which updated the Department’s estimate to a net present value of £2.9bn to minus £2.5bn in 2014 prices[1]. Economic benefits as reported in the Updated Appraisal Report also fed into the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS).
The Department has committed to reviewing and updating the ANPS, and has invited proposals for a third runway to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals are received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/airport-expansion-updated-cost-and-benefits-appraisal.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to seek Parliamentary approval for the revised Airports National Policy Statement before submitting the infrastructure planning application for Heathrow Airport expansion.
Answered by Mike Kane
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. When conducting the review, the Secretary of State will comply with the requirements in the Planning Act 2008, including consultation, publicity and parliamentary requirements.
When the ANPS has been reviewed, and depending on the outcome of the review, it will be for scheme promoters to submit a Development Consent Order application for a third runway scheme.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 57460 on Policy, what her planned timetable is for the revision of the National Policy Statement on airport expansion.
Answered by Mike Kane
The government supports airport expansion and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow. It expects any proposals to be brought forward by the summer and is clear that any scheme must be delivered in line with the UK’s legal, climate and environmental obligations.
Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow.
The Secretary of State will determine the scope of a review of the ANPS and we cannot speculate on the scope nor the timings of the review at this stage.
Asked by: Siân Berry (Green Party - Brighton Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to paragraph 3.36 of the policy paper entitled UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy, published on 19 June 2025, when she plans to request the Climate Change Committee's advice on whether a third runway at Heathrow airport is consistent with the UK's net zero framework.
Answered by Mike Kane
The government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments.
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. As part of this process, we will consider how and when to engage with the Climate Change Committee.