Opposing the Revised Proposals for a Third Heathrow Runway
Report back from Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick
Andy Slaughter MP
October 24, 2025
This week I took part in the debate on the Transport Secretary’s statement about the revised proposals for a third runway at Heathrow, which I remain strongly against. Along with other west London MPs I quizzed the Transport Secretary on whether the government would fully look at the economic and environmental cases for and against a third runway before there was any agreement to proceed. I also questioned the need for additional flights in the south-east given the plans to expand and improve both Luton and Gatwick airport.
There are numerous stages before any construction can begin and even if the government went with Heathrow's current plans there'd be no extra flights until 2035. However, it remains fundamentally the wrong place, and we will continue to campaign against further expansion.
In justice news I made a speech following the government's response to the Justice Committee's report on the work of the County Court and the crisis facing the County Court system. The report set out a number of urgent recommendations to the government, most of which the government has accepted, and implementing these will go some way to fixing the ailing County Courts.
The Sentencing Bill was back in the Commons this week for Committee Stage. I welcome the principles of the Bill, and the reforms suggested within it, but they are not without risk. As Chair of the Justice Committee, I tabled several amendments to the Bill with a view to reduce those risks and make practical improvements to the Bill. In my speech I spoke to those tabled amendments and how they could benefit the legislation.
At the beginning of the week, Fuller’s held an event in Parliament for the launch of their report on how brewing and pubs can help drive economic growth. It was a pleasure to go along to support the launch and Chiswick Brewery.
On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of joining residents and local arts supporters at I Dreamt I Dwelt: Irish Composers, WB Yeats, and Bedford Park’s Heyday, a wonderful concert celebrating 150 years of Bedford Park. Held in the magnificent surroundings of St Michael & All Angels Church, the event brought together Irish Heritage musicians and WB Yeats Bedford Park to honour the area’s extraordinary artistic legacy and its Irish roots.
On Friday I met with Network Rail and TfL, who are working collaboratively to explore options for step-free and capacity improvements at Gunnersbury station. The outstanding planning application, which includes safeguarding of land around the station to allow for improvements, is expected to be considered soon. I am continuing to press Network Rail, TfL and DfT on the needed improvements to the station, and urgency given the planning process.
Best wishes,
Andy
andy@andyslaughter.com
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