Ed Miliband must sacrifice net zero for growth, says Rachel Reeves as she plans third runway at Heathrow
ECO zealots like Ed Miliband must sacrifice climate ideology on the altar of growth, Rachel Reeves demanded yesterday.
The Chancellor stared down Labour’s Net Zero Secretary as she all-but-confirmed plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport.
Ms Reeves suggested that all members of the Cabinet, including anti-expansion Mr Miliband, must get behind the plan or find a new job.
It came as the Confederation of British Industry warned that performance among private sector firms is expected to drop in the coming three months.
A survey of 990 businesses by the CBI found that confidence dipped in the aftermath of the Autumn Budget.
Firms said that a rise in employer’s national insurance resulted in reviewing budgets at short notice, shredding staff numbers, passing on additional costs to customers and cutting back investment plans.
On Wednesday Ms Reeves will try to win back business confidence as she channels Donald Trump and tells investors to pour their pounds into Britain.
The Chancellor told Sky News she has already been busy at the World Economic Forum in Davos “shouting on the world stage about everything our great country has to offer”.
She insisted that “optimism for Britain has never burned brighter than it does now”.
In a bid to boost desperately needed growth, Ms Reeves will confirm plans for a third runway at Heathrow, alongside expansions to Gatwick and Luton airports.
Rebuking her lefty critics, including Mr Milliband and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, on Sunday the Chancellor said that sustainable aviation and growth go “hand in hand”.
Ms Reeves said: “Already this Government had signed off expansion at London City Airport and Stansted Airport.
“Both of those decisions, again, were decisions that the previous Government had stalled.
“We are getting on and delivering, that will be good for investment and trade in our country and also good for families wanting to go on cheaper holidays as well.”
“We’ll make announcements about policies when we’re ready to do so, with full collective ministerial responsibility.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch last night welcomed plans to expand Heathrow.
She said: “I know that it is very difficult for a lot of people when there’s an airport in your area. I know, because I’m the MP for an airport as well.
“I have never opposed growth or development.
“What I want to do is make sure it’s done in the right way.”