Ed Miliband reignites Labour civil war over Heathrow expansion

Ed Miliband reignited Labour’s civil war over as he warned the planned expansion will only take place if it doesn’t break climate targets.

The Net Zero Secretary has been accused of going into hiding after Rachel Reeves trumpeted the long-mooted project last week.

But he was forced to break cover in the Commons as he was grilled by MPs over the plans

Mr Miliband warned that expansion of any airport would have to meet existing carbon budgets and environmental restrictions.

Expanding Heathrow to build a third runway was among a throng of major projects the Chancellor said the Government would support, in a speech last week aimed at unlocking economic growth across the UK.

Ms Reeves said the Cabinet is “united” in backing the plans for a third runway, despite Mr Miliband having been a vocal opponent to the expansion of the west London airport in the past for climate reasons.

Mr Miliband did not attend Ms Reeves’ speech in Oxfordshire, despite many other ministers attending, and was not seen at Prime Minister’s Questions later the same day.

By contrast, Environment Secretary Steve Reed – another past critic of Heathrow expansion – offered public backing for Ms Reeves’ plans within hours.

There have been claims that Mr Miliband privately objected to building a third runway at Heathrow at Cabinet the previous day.

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has emerged as the most senior open opponent of Heathrow expansion.

The Labour politician vowed to block a third runway “with any tool in the toolkit”.

Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday Green Party co-leader asked: “Experts are clear the savings from the Government’s clean power action plan will be wiped out by 2050 if airport expansion at Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton goes ahead.

“Relying on so-called sustainable aviation fuels would use up to half of the UK’s agricultural land.

“So does (Mr Miliband) agree with the scientists that whilst ambitious clean power plans are hugely welcome, if his Government also backs airport expansion, it’s not going to meet its climate obligations?”

The Energy Secretary replied: “Any aviation expansion – this is the point the Chancellor made last week – has to take place within carbon budgets and within environmental limits.

“What I would just say to her also is that in six months, this Government has achieved certainly more than the last government did in 14 years.

“We’ve lifted the on-shore wind ban, we’ve consented nearly 3GW of solar, GB Energy, the National Wealth Fund, the most successful renewables auction in history. This Government is delivering on clean power.”