Stop Saying No to Ideas Which Could Help Britain’s Economic Growth, Chancellor Rachel Reeves Tells the Blob
By HARRIET LINE and DAVID CHURCHILL
Published: 17:04 EST, 27 January 2025
Updated: 17:45 EST, 27 January 2025
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told the government to stop saying "no" to proposals that could boost growth.
The Chancellor said the government had "become used" to rejecting ideas, but must change and start saying "yes".
Ahead of a major speech tomorrow, Ms Reeves told MPs last night that the only way to relieve working people of cost of living pressures is through economic growth.
But shortly before she spoke to MPs, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told a separate group that airport expansion projects should only get the green light if they fell within "carbon budgets".
It comes after the Chancellor has made clear that she believes that her growth agenda should trump Mr Miliband’s green mission.
Growing the Economy
Speaking at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party last night, Ms Reeves said: "Will that growth come easy? No. There are no easy routes out, there are always reasons for Government to say ‘no’."
"Over the past six months as Chancellor, my experience is that Government has become used to saying ‘no’. That must change. We must start saying ‘yes’."
"Yes to new jobs. Yes to higher living standards. Yes to investment. And yes to growth. And if we get this right – and I know we will – the prize on offer to us is immense."
Airport Expansion
The Chancellor is expected to use her speech on Wednesday to endorse proposals for a third runway at Heathrow airport, as well as expansion at Gatwick and Luton airports.
Appearing before MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee, Mr Miliband last night was asked whether airport expansion was compatible with the UK’s climate change aims.
He said: "On aviation, the way I’ve always thought about this is, our goal is neither on the one hand to stop people going on holiday [or] stop the economy getting what it needs, nor is it business-as-usual as if climate change is not a problem."
Carbon Budgets
He added: "And I think that’s a sensible middle ground of this debate."
But he also emphasized the importance of carbon budgets: "I want to be absolutely clear about this – that any aviation expansion must be accounted for as part of carbon budgets… any aviation expansion must be justified within the framework of carbon budgets, and I can absolutely assure you that that’s the position of the government."
"So any decisions must be made within that framework and only be able to go ahead if consistent with our carbon budgets."
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is urging the government to adopt a more positive approach to economic growth, by saying "yes" to new ideas and proposals that could boost the economy. This comes as she prepares to deliver a major speech on Wednesday, in which she is expected to endorse proposals for a third runway at Heathrow airport, as well as expansion at Gatwick and Luton airports.
FAQs
Q: What is the Chancellor’s vision for economic growth?
A: The Chancellor believes that economic growth is the key to relieving working people of cost of living pressures and creating a better future for all.
Q: What is the government’s stance on airport expansion?
A: The government is expected to endorse proposals for a third runway at Heathrow airport, as well as expansion at Gatwick and Luton airports, but subject to carbon budgets and other environmental considerations.
Q: How does the Chancellor plan to achieve economic growth?
A: The Chancellor plans to achieve economic growth by saying "yes" to new ideas and proposals, investing in infrastructure, and creating new jobs and opportunities for all.