UK ministers poised to approve expansion of Gatwick airport

Ministers are preparing to give the go-ahead to an expansion of Gatwick, the UK’s second-largest airport, as part of a broader push to nurture economic growth. The government is also keen to approve an expansion of Luton airport if concerns about noise pollution from passenger jets flying over rural areas can be addressed. In addition, chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to reaffirm her support for Heathrow, the UK’s largest airport, to build a third runway in a speech about economic growth later this month, according to officials. But such a project could be a long way off being realised. Ministers are planning to unveil more proposals to aid growth. The UK economy expanded by 0.1% in November, following 0.1% contractions in both October and September, according to official data. Investor fears about stagflation — when sluggish growth combines with persistent price pressures — contributed to a sharp rise in UK government borrowing costs at the start of the year, although gilt yields fell last week amid expectations of more interest rate cuts. The expansion of Britain’s airports has long been a contentious issue, given jets contribute to noise and air pollution, as well as climate change, but two government decisions are expected soon. Transport secretary Heidi Alexander must decide by February 27 on Gatwick’s plan to bring its standby runway into regular use. <br/>