Miliband grilled over third runway and net zero targets

Ed Miliband has said any expansion of Heathrow airport or other aviation projects must fall within the UK’s carbon budget as he leads the push for net zero.

- DAVID MADDOX ARCHIE MITCHELL

The energy secretary, who has refused to resign over the plans to expand Heathrow with a third runway, looked visibly uncomfortable as he was interrogated on the controversy by newly elected Green MP Ellie Chowns.

During the session of the environmental audit committee, Ms Chowns rounded on Mr Miliband over the apparent incompatibility between his plans to reduce carbon emissions and chancellor Rachel Reeves’s push for economic growth.

Ms Reeves had already caused Mr Miliband difficulties by suggesting that economic growth should “trump” net zero considerations.

The chancellor said: “When we say growth is the number one issue for this government, we mean it and that means it trumps other things.”

Mr Miliband’s grilling over Heathrow came as Ms Reeves faced dissent at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) from Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury, who has been a longstanding opponent of a third runway in west London.