Transport Secretary faces Labour backlash over Heathrow expansion

The Transport Secretary, Geoff Hoon, is warning backbench Labour MPs that Britain will lose jobs to competitors on the continent if a third runway is not built at Heathrow.

In a Commons debate this week, he faced Labour backlash about the government’s support for Heathrow’s expansion. Hoon countered that 70 per cent of overseas companies coming to Britain locate within an hour of Heathrow airport, and that without expanded capacity at the airport, firms will leave – and new companies will not move in.

“It is crucial that we continue to protect Britain’s position and plan for the long term,” said Hoon. Not building a third runway will mean the “steady erosion of Heathrow and the loss of British jobs,” he added.

“For those who want us to sit on our hands, do they want us to ration flights, to restrict flying to only the wealthy? Are we going to export jobs to the Continent?”

Hoon made it clear that the government would formally back the plan for a third runway at Heathrow in the coming weeks, even with the fierce opposition by Labour MPs.

Currently, 52 Labour MPs are among the 141 who have signed the Commons motion which urges that the government rethink the expansion plan. It has been reported that there are a number of government ministers who have doubts about the Heathrow plan.

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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