Give Heathrow the greenlight

Today (Monday October 17) representatives from Unite delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street calling on the prime minister, Theresa May, to give the greenlight to Heathrow’s expansion.

The letter, signed by 125 Unite reps, representing hundreds of thousands of workers from every part of the UK outlines how so many livelihoods depend on the economic prosperity the expansion will bring.

“From Scotland to Plymouth, London to Wales our members, the country’s builders, steelmakers, shipbuilders, aviation and aerospace workers back Heathrow expansion for the jobs and economic prosperity that it will bring to every corner of the UK,” said Peter Kavanagh, London and Eastern regional secretary.

The letter urges the prime minister to ‘be bold and build’, saying; ‘Giving the greenlight to Heathrow expansion will not only signal to the rest of the world that the UK is open for business post-Brexit, it is a big test of how serious the government is about turning its soundbites on industrial strategy and infrastructure, backed by public investment, into reality.’

Unite is calling on the government to commit to using domestic manufacturers and steel to maximise the economic dividend and secure decent, well paid jobs.

“Now we need the prime minister to be bold and build,” said Kavanagh.

“Coming so soon after the Brexit vote and the dithering over Hinkley, it is a decision that will signal just how serious Theresa May and her government is about turning her rhetoric on industrial strategy and infrastructure investment into a reality,” he added.

A letter has also been signed and sent by 50 MPs and representatives across the political parties from the assemblies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland calling on the prime minister to back the expansion of the West London hub.

“In our post-Brexit world, we can ill-afford to ignore the economic benefits of expansion,” said Kavanagh.

“The entire economy will benefit from the spoils of Heathrow expansion – a globally competitive hub is as essential for our regional and national economies as it is for the capitals,” he added.

The prime minister’s cabinet subcommittee will make a decision by the end of October.

“Our members’ livelihoods and that of their families depend on the continued success of Heathrow. Its expansion will create 180,000 jobs and 10,000 apprenticeships and a £211 billion economic boost across the entire UK economy,” said Kavanagh.