Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department will take to demonstrate that expansion at Heathrow will not undermine the UK's climate commitments.

The government has been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments.

On 22 October, the Government formally commenced the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which provides the primary basis for decision-making on whether to grant development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. The review will reflect changes in legislation, policy, and data and will set out how any scheme must meet the Government’s four tests on economic growth, climate, air quality and noise.

The Government also remains committed to engaging the Climate Change Committee on the ANPS review and will be seeking their independent advice on the relevant sections of the revised ANPS in due course.

We expect to publish any revisions to the ANPS for consultation by summer 2026.