Chancellor backs third runway for Heathrow

RACHEL Reeves promised to systematically remove barriers to growth as she set out Government support for the Heathrow expansion in the hope of kickstarting the UK's stuttering economy.

- RACHEL Reeves

The Chancellor insisted she was prepared to "fight" for new housing, infrastructure and business projects, including tearing up environmental regulations which hamper construction.

Her backing for Heathrow will see her face down Labour critics and environmental campaigners, but she insisted support for the third runway would support the economy across the country.

Official figures have shown little or no economic growth since Labour took office in July.