Heathrow has long argued the expansion is needed to help it keep up with rival airports in Europe, which handle less passengers with more runways, with the airport's boss saying a "clear steer" was needed from the government by the end of 2025.

British finance minister Rachel Reeves is expected to back the expansion of Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, turning to the country's most controversial infrastructure project in her hunt for economic growth.

Rachel Reeves suggested the full Cabinet must back any potential expansion of Heathrow Airport despite previous opposition from senior Government figures, as she all but confirmed plans to endorse a third runway.

Rachel Reeves will on Wednesday promise to “kickstart the economy” with a building blitz that includes Heathrow expansion and thousands of new homes.

Rachel Reeves will pledge to “fight” for “growth” and say that Britain “can do so much better” in a major speech, after Cabinet ministers were ordered to ditch policies that could stand in the way of growing the economy.

British finance minister Rachel Reeves will say on Wednesday that she is ready for a fight to push forward her plans to speed up the country's slow-moving economy that have grown in urgency after this month's bond market slump.