Protestors demonstrate at Chancellor's Leeds office as Rachel Reeves confirms Heathrow expansion
Members of the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport were involved in this morning's demo in Bramley.
Last updated 29th Jan 2025
Protestors have gathered outside the Leeds constituency office of the Chancellor, as Rachel Reeves confirms government backing for the expansion of Heathrow Airport.
Members of the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport were involved in this morning's demo in Bramley.
The group has long campaigned against the expansion of flights at the regional airport, based at Yeadon, raising concerns about the environment as well as noise pollution in Leeds suburbs.
The Chancellor, who is the MP for Leeds West and Pudsey, confirmed a third runway would be build at Britain's biggest airport in a major speech this morning.
"By backing a third runway at Heathrow we can make Britain the world's best-connected place to do business" Rachel Reeves said.
"That is what it takes to make decisions in the national interest and that is what I mean by going further and faster to kick-start economic growth."
Nick Hodgkinson, Chair of GALBA, said: “It’s deeply disappointing to hear the Chancellor announce her support for Heathrow expansion.
"This flies in the face of repeated advice from the government’s own advisers not to allow airports to grow at this time. Why have experts and then ignore them?
“The aviation industry claims that ‘sustainable’ aviation fuel will soon solve its greenhouse gas problem but all the independent experts disagree.
"They warn that it’s simply not possible to make enough alternative fuel to cut emissions from flying at the speed we need to reach net zero.”
He added: “One day, it may be possible to fly without polluting the environment. But that day is a long way off and we need to cut all greenhouse gases now.
"Everyone has seen the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and the floods in England this year - that’s the reality of climate change.
”We can leave a better world to our children and grandchildren but we must make the right decisions today. That’s why GALBA is challenging the government's Jet Zero Strategy in the High Court in April.”