The Commons Transport Committee has begun examining the economic case for expanding Heathrow, with MPs questioning how the project’s potential costs and benefits have been assessed.
The committee’s first oral evidence session focused on differing approaches to deciding whether the airport expansion and a third runway should be approved. Evidence and documents produced earlier this year by the Department for Transport and its consultants came under detailed scrutiny.
Uncertainty over benefits
Claims about the benefits of the project made by the Government and Heathrow Airport were also examined. The session raised uncertainties over key aspects of the analysis, although the available account does not set out the committee’s conclusions or identify the specific points on which further evidence is being sought.
The inquiry will consider the Government’s blueprint for the project as MPs assess the economic arguments underpinning the proposed expansion.