Heathrow Third Runway: Labour in Confusion as Treasury Ministers Back Expansion Labour's Heathrow third runway stance is in confusion after Treasury ministers backed expansion, contradicting Andy Burnham. The project could create 100,000 jobs. Labour's position on Heathrow's third runway fell into confusion on Monday after Treasury ministers backed the expansion, despite Andy Burnham failing to support it. James Murray, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said the expansion of Britain's busiest airport is really important for the country's future. His Treasury colleague Dan Tomlinson, the growth minister, also pledged support for the proposal. The statements came after the Prime Minister repeatedly refused to endorse the scheme. Heathrow Third Runway Backed by Treasury MinistersJames Murray, whose Ealing North seat is in west London, contradicted Andy Burnham on Monday by saying it was not just an issue for the capital. He told the Press Association that having a third runway is really important for jobs, investment, and the whole country. Murray said the investment in making Heathrow stronger would boost trade and create more jobs across the country. He added that it is really important for our future.Dan Tomlinson also pledged his support for Heathrow's third runway, telling a LabourList fringe meeting on Sunday that as a London MP who lives under the flight path, he is very pro Heathrow expansion. Tomlinson, the growth minister, said he wanted to make his view clear.Asked why the Prime Minister could not give full backing to the project, Murray said the PM was saying it is important to listen to what Londoners have to say and that there has been a consultation. The Government is now looking at the consultation responses and will set out its response shortly. Murray added that Heathrow has a really important role to play and as an MP in west London, he knows how important it is for jobs and his constituents. But he said it is not just an issue for his constituents or for people in west London or even that region; it is for the whole country.Andy Burnham's Ambivalent Stance on Heathrow ExpansionAndy Burnham was unwilling to confirm that he was in favour of the project going ahead in a major interview at the start of Labour's conference in Liverpool. Principally, it is a matter for London and Londoners, he told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg when asked if he would back the move. He diverted questions about his views, saying he would wait to hear the outcome of a consultation process on the matter. He said it is not right for him to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation. He later added that it is right that we hear what people have said through the consultation, and then consider the way forward from there.The ambivalent stance came despite Chancellor John Healey telling the House of Commons earlier this month that the Government supports the project. The PM's equivocation sparked a sharp response from Labour's trade union allies, who pointed out Heathrow's expansion should create 100,000 jobs.Background and Impact of the Heathrow Third Runway ProjectLabour's support for Heathrow's third runway was set out by former chancellor Rachel Reeves in January last year. Estimated to cost 33 billion pounds, including 1.5 billion pounds to move the M25 to build the runway, the scheme is expected to be fully privately financed. It would see Heathrow's capacity increase to 756,000 flights and 150 million passengers per year.Ms Reeves had suggested the runway could be open in 2035 but airport bosses have told ministers that timetable appears impossible to meet. The airport aims to get planning permission by 2029, and from that point believes building the new runway within a decade to be a reasonable goal.The confusion over Labour's stance comes amid ongoing debate about the expansion's impact on jobs, investment, and the environment. Heathrow is Britain's busiest airport and a critical part of national aviation infrastructure. The Government is expected to respond to the consultation shortly, which will clarify its next steps.