Labour is bracing for Cabinet splits over plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, after the Chancellor avoided questions about the development yesterday.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan are likely to be the scheme’s most vocal detractors. While Rachel Reeves has yet to clarify whether approval for the runway would be granted, she is anticipated to do so in a speech later this month. However, she will face criticism from many of her Labour colleagues, including Cabinet members, if she supports the initiative. Eight Cabinet members, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Environment Secretary Steve Reed, and Mr Miliband, have previously expressed opposition to Heathrow expansion. When asked yesterday if she would support it, she declined to answer, saying only that she was committed to ‘developing the economy’.

Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond, which is on the Heathrow flight path, questioned her: “Residents in my constituency of Richmond Park will have been extremely concerned to read the news this morning that the Chancellor plans to announce the expansion of Heathrow next week.” ‘I’d want to invite her to tell us, yes or no, on the floor of the House, if the government supports Heathrow expansion.