Labour says third Heathrow runway plan fails to meet party’s concerns

 Labour will oppose the Government’s plan for a third runway to be built at Heathrow after saying it fails to meet current environmental obligations and will have “unacceptable impacts” on nearby residents.

Andy Mcdonald, the shadow transport secretary, attacked the proposal saying there were also “unanswered questions” over the funding of the project, which is set to exceed £14 billion.

The party said the Airports National Policy Statement, laid before Parliament earlier this month, fails to meet all of Labour’s four tests.

These include targets such as promising that increased capacity will be delivered, that CO2 reduction commitments are met, that the project will minimise the noise and local environmental impact and ensuring the benefits of expansion are felt across all regions of the UK.

However, when the statement comes to Parliament on Monday, Labour will not whip its MPS, as it has instead called for a free vote for all parties.

Theresa May is hopeful the plan will get the parliamentary green light, particularly as key critic Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary, is set to miss the vote.

John Mcdonnell, the shadow chancellor, has also always been a fierce critic of the plan to build a third runway at the airport.