Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision, made in January, to the proposed third runway expansion to Heathrow Airport, has been condemned by environmental campaigners.
The decision was made after the government insisted they were committed to economic growth and that the change will benefit ordinary people.
Controversy also surrounded reports the decision was driven by a report commissioned by Heathrow Airport themselves.
Pete Knapp, environmental activist for campaign group Extinction Rebellion, said: “There is an enormous blindspot for any politician whose job it is to improve the economy.
“For a politician who is in charge of the purse not to consider other elements is a symptom of a broken political system.”
Knapp added that politicians seem to be disconnected with the public over the policies they choose to pursue.
He believes conflicts of interests play a role in the decision-making, arguing that lobby groups and think tanks cause unpopular policies that harm the environment to be pursued.
Simon Tompsett, campaigner from environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth, also expressed anger at the decision.
Tompsett said: “Rachel Reeves clearly does not understand the severity of the damage that climate change will do.
“It will far outweigh the dubious economic benefit of expansion – and that is if you only consider money.
“I am frankly disgusted.”
Tompsett argued that among the many concerns that arise from the expansion of Heathrow Airport, some include carbon emissions, air pollution from planes and additional road transport, increased aircraft noise and loss of habitats.
He also expressed deep concern at the loss of housing that will arise from the expansion.
Starmer’s Labour government have committed to building new homes through vast amounts of land reform.
Tompsett added that he believes the decision to be motivated by greed, arguing that whenever a financial conflict arises, the environment always appears to lose.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Expanding Heathrow could drive growth, trade and tourism and unlock over 100,000 jobs, cementing our position as a world leader in aviation.
“There is no live planning application for Heathrow expansion at present, but when plans come forward, we will ensure any expansion is assessed against the Government’s legal, carbon and environmental obligations.”
In response to a request for comment, Heathrow Airport argued that it and the Government will work to ensure expansion will only take place in line with environmental concerns such as noise pollution and air quality.
Proposals for an expansion of Heathrow Airport were first proposed in 2009 under then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The plan was ultimately given the go ahead by the Supreme Court in 2020, in which several of the current government, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, voted against the proposals while in opposition.
In February 2020, following the Appeals Court’s ruling against the Heathrow Expansion, Keir Starmer posted on X in of the environmental campaigners, arguing that the climate crisis is the biggest challenge facing the world.
As debate on climate change and questions surrounding the true values of the current government, this issue is likely to continue for months to come.
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