Burnham dodges Heathrow third runway questions as delays reported
Andy Burnham refused to give a clear answer on a third Heathrow runway, calling it a contested issue for London, as expansion faces reported delays.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Andy Burnham has refused to endorse a third runway at Heathrow, after avoiding repeated questions on the issue. In an appearance this morning, he was asked five or six times to give a clear position. He said it was a contested issue, a matter for London, with different views, and did not answer conclusively.
The exchange came after reports that people running Heathrow expect further delays to the third runway becoming operational, with a possible date of around 2039. The previous government had said expansion should happen because a new runway would create economic growth. Business figures and political parties have grown frustrated that the project has gone on and on.
Burnham's claim that this is a matter for London does not tell the whole story. A vote in Parliament is required. If the Prime Minister does not back the project, that sends a strong signal about whether it is likely to proceed. The mayor of London also has doubts and has taken legal action over expansion.
The lack of an endorsement from Burnham puts a question mark over the runway. Heathrow lobbyists and staff are expected to keep making their case, but the project already faces a slow timetable and political uncertainty. In the same round of interviews, Burnham would not commit to reducing the welfare bill before the next general election, and there was a hint he could freeze fuel duty.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News |
|---|---|
| Andy Burnham declined to give a conclusive answer on whether he supports a third Heathrow runway. | |
| Heathrow operators expect further delays to the third runway becoming operational, possibly until 2039. | |
| Parliament must vote on Heathrow expansion, and the Prime Minister's position is seen as a strong signal of whether it will proceed. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The Newscast discussion focused on Burnham's repeated refusal to answer on Heathrow, counting five or six attempts, and treated it as a serious political signal. It stressed that the decision requires a parliamentary vote and that the Prime Minister's position matters, while noting the Mayor of London's opposition. It also linked the non-answer to reports of further delays to the third runway, possibly to 2039.
- “I thought his dodging of that repeated question, was it maybe five times, possibly six times?”
- “And he said, it's a contested issue. It's a matter for London. There are different views.”
- “There has to be a vote in Parliament. And if the Prime Minister doesn't back it, that sends a very strong signal about whether or not it's likely to happen.”
Broadcast Timeline
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