Rachel Reeves backs new Leeds Bradford Airport runway and re-opening Doncaster Sheffield
The Chancellor has voiced her support for the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport, as well as the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor and MP for Leeds West, had previously opposed the expansion of the airport, but, following the government's support for adding a third runway at Heathrow, she has now announced her support for the expansion of LBA. In addition, she said she would also work to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which has been closed since operators Peel Group pulled out in 2022.
The Chancellor, in an interview for BBC Radio 4 Today on Thursday, January 30, said: "If Leeds Bradford came back with plans to expand then I would support those because I think things have changed significantly in the last few years and the Cabinet support these plans.
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"We've already as a government signed off on the expansion at Stanstead and City Airport because we know that we need the economic growth and we know that sustainable aviation and economic growth go hand-in-hand."
When asked about why she objected previously, and never raised the prospect of sustainable aviation fuel, she said there had been "huge progress" over the last few years.
The Chancellor has also voiced her support for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, saying the previous government had not intervened despite the support for the airport. She added that she would work alongside the local authorities to reopen the airport. In addition, she voiced support for the plan to reopen the airport as South Yorkshire Airport City.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard also voiced his support. A statement by the Mayor read: "This is a hugely welcome intervention from the Chancellor, committing to work with us on our plans to develop South Yorkshire Airport City. That support from the government could be vital in helping us to re-open Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, and deliver our 10-year plan to unlock the significant potential of Gateway East.
"I have been committed to re-opening DSA since day one. And the best way for us to give DSA the future it deserves is to get our plan right from the start, giving us the best chance to allow our airport to thrive, creating good jobs in the industries of the future, making best use of taxpayer's money and bringing down the carbon footprint of flying.
"The last government didn’t lift a finger to support our airport. That it closed with 800 direct jobs lost in South Yorkshire is in no small part down to their lack of support. By contrast, this government has now committed to working with City of Doncaster Council and with me because we share the same ambition for growth. And can see the significant opportunity presented by the South Yorkshire Airport City Plan; a plan to reopen DSA, build hundreds of homes and create a world leading sustainable aviation hub in South Yorkshire.
"But even with the support of government, none of that is easy. In the next few weeks City of Doncaster Council will deliver the full plan to the Mayoral Combined Authority Board. We will need to carefully review that plan while working with the government to get to a final decision by the summer.
"I know people and businesses want to see DSA re-open as quickly as possible. I’m grateful to Rachel Reeves and the government for now committing to work with us on the challenges and opportunities that presents, and help us towards that goal."
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