Britain’s government has backed a tortured effort to build a third runway at Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, throwing its weight behind a decades-old proposal that has been beset by political, legal and environmental challenges.

A Labour MP has called for Heathrow airport to be renamed after Queen Elizabeth II to mark a century since her birth. Adam Jogee (Newcastle-under-Lyme) said his proposal would be an suitable way of marking her “lifetime of service to the country and the Commonwealth”.

Environmentalists and locals have resisted a third runway at London's Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, for more than two decades. Today, their efforts took a major setback.

Chancellor’s optimistic economic growth vision hit in the short term as Tesco and Lloyds announce hundreds of job losses and she admits fixing the economy is ‘not an easy job’

Heathrow Airport could be re-named after the late Queen Elizabeth to commemorate the 100th anniversary of her birth next year, the Government has said. Cabinet Minister Lucy Powell described the proposed name change as an “excellent idea”.

What could a third runway at Heathrow mean for tourism and the climate? Whatever the outcome, it’s still a long way away from happening.

Ryanair has announced seven new London-Stansted routes but wants UK airport tax scrapped saying it is stifling growth in the UK economy.

Rachel Reeves confirmed plans for a third runway at London Heathrow Airport this morning, (Wednesday, January 29). The ambitious project has been backed by the airport itself, claiming it is the 'bold, responsible vision the UK needs to thrive in the 21st century'.

The Leeds West and Pudsey MP also highlighted the benefits the Heathrow expansion would have on the rest of the UK "because the availability of slots at Heathrow is good for regional airports wanting to connect with the rest of the world".

Declaring that “growth will not come without a fight”, she said that the government would back airport expansion and offered more clues about plans to unshackle housebuilding. The Heathrow decision is the surest sign yet of the government prioritising growth,

Heathrow's third runway could be built and operating in a decade's time, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said. The extra runway at Heathrow was one of a number of infrastructure projects announced by the chancellor on Wednesday as part of the government's plans to boost economic growth.