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Trade unions urge May to give go-ahead for new Heathrow runway
Trade unions have called on Prime Minister Theresa May to approve a third Heathrow runway when parliament returns next week.
The TUC has joined forces with the British Airline Pilots Association and other unions in construction and manufacturing to write to May urging her to support the 2015 recommendation of the Airports Commission, which backed a new runway for Heathrow over Gatwick.
In the letter, the unions said they ‘stand ready to work to help the Government successfully deliver this next major national infrastructure project’.
"We therefore urge the Government to announce a clear and final decision to build a new third runway at Heathrow based on the recommendations of the Airports Commission. Any further delay in the decision will harm the whole of UK Plc."
The unions warn that failure to give the go ahead for a third runway would hold back the 70,000 jobs the Airport Commission said would be created around Heathrow and thousands more across the UK.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: "If we want a stronger economy, we must build the infrastructure British industry needs to compete in the world.
"We’ve heard positive words about industrial strategy from the Prime Minister, but it’s action that counts. When parliament returns, the Prime Minister should waste no time in announcing a clear and final decision to build a new runway at Heathrow."
He said the decision was more crucial following the UK vote to leave the European Union.
"Ministers must show they are prepared to make the right choices so that working people do not pay the price for Brexit. That means getting a move on with a proper industrial strategy backed by public investment. Otherwise Britain will struggle to create decent jobs and attract new business."
The letter was signed by O’Grady, BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey, GMB general secretary Tim Roche and Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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