Committee publication · Correspondence · 24 June 2026 · HC 482
Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement, dated 18 June 2026
From: Transport Committee
Inquiry: Scrutiny of the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement
Summary
The Secretary of State for Transport informs Parliament that the Government has launched a public consultation on the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS), running 18 June to 1 September 2026. The revised policy framework reflects updated evidence on environmental impacts, noise, surface access and economic benefits since 2018. The consultation seeks views on proposed amendments and requirements for any future third-runway application, assessed against four Government tests: climate change, air quality, noise and economic growth. A parliamentary vote will follow before any amended statement takes legal effect.
Key findings
- Government has renamed the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) to Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS) to clarify it applies specifically to Heathrow expansion and associated infrastructure.
- Draft HENPS establishes four Government tests for expansion: economic growth contribution, compatibility with UK climate targets including net zero, no new breaches of legal air quality limits, and noise impacts no worse than 2024 baseline.
- Heathrow expansion designated as Critical National Growth Infrastructure (CNGI), with Government claiming potential to support over 60,000 jobs and boost UK economy through improved connectivity and resilience.
- Consultation period runs 10+ weeks closing 1 September 2026; Government commits to considering all responses plus Parliamentary Select Committee report before deciding whether to designate amended HENPS, which will require House of Commons vote before taking legal effect.
- Draft HENPS does not grant development consent; any application remains subject to statutory Development Consent Order process and independent examination by Planning Inspectorate.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP (Secretary of State for Transport), Ruth Cadbury MP (Transport Committee member), Heathrow Airport Limited, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Council of Independent Scrutiny of Heathrow Airport (CISHA), Planning Inspectorate
Notable line
“Expansion therefore has the potential to improve connectivity, strengthen resilience and support economic growth across the United Kingdom”
Key Quotes
“This consultation fulfils Government's commitment to consult on an amended policy statement by Summer 2026 and marks an important stage in our programme to support economic growth through the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure.”
“The Government has always been clear that any airport expansion proposals need to demonstrate that they contribute to economic growth, can be delivered in line with the UK's legally binding climate change obligations and meet strict environmental requirements on air quality and noise pollution.”
“As set out in the draft HENPS, the Government considers that the development covered by the Heathrow Expansion NPS is critical to national growth and therefore plans to designate expansion at Heathrow as Critical National Growth Infrastructure”
“Following the consultation, the Government will carefully consider all responses received, alongside the report of the Parliamentary Select Committee, before deciding whether to designate an amended HENPS.”
“This process is intended to enable a decision on a Heathrow expansion scheme during this Parliament.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗