Andy Burnham risked union fury today as he raised fresh doubts about Heathrow expansion - just weeks after his Chancellor backed it.

The Prime Minister repeatedly refused to endorse the scheme to build a third runway at the airport in an interview as Labour conference got under way. 

He suggested it was a matter 'for London' and that the Government was waiting for the outcome of a consultation.

The ambivalent stance came despite John Healey telling the Commons earlier this month that the Government supports the project.

It sparked a sharp response from Labour's union allies, who pointed out the scheme should create 100,000 jobs. Unite boss Sharon Graham said the Government 'needs to get on with it'.  

The PM has a record of attacks on the proposal going back years. In January last year, when he was still mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Burnham labelled the expansion a 'model for an ever-overheating UK economy'.

He warned it could not come at the 'expense of essential investment in northern infrastructure'.

In 2018 he said: 'I'm against a third runway at Heathrow because of the need to limit national levels of aviation. We should use spare capacity at Manchester and Birmingham instead.'

The following year he warned that the expansion would 'trap infrastructure spending inside the M25 for ten years'. 

Heathrow Airport Limited wants to obtain permission to build a full-length, 3,500-metre runway, which would require moving the M25 motorway.

Former chancellor Rachel Reeves said in June that she was determined to get 'spades in the ground' for the third runway in the current Parliament and aimed to finish the project by 2035.

However, there are now suggestions that 2039 is likely to be the earliest possible year for completion, with hopes that planning permission will be finalised in 2029.

Asked on the BBC this morning whether he supported the project, Mr Burnham said: 'Principally, it's a matter for London and Londoners.'

Pressed further, he continued: 'It's not right for me to just jump straight in on the back of the consultation.

'I think it's right that we hear what people have said through the consultation, and then then consider the way forward from there.'

The plans to expand the UK's largest airport have long been opposed by climate experts and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

But Heathrow insists the project will create jobs, unlock growth and make travel more affordable.

Mr Healey told MPs earlier this month: 'After years of delay, years of indecision, years of often vexatious challenge, we have given the go-ahead to this project quite simply because the economic case stacks up and will help bring growth.'

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said last week that an expanded Heathrow could be 'the country's front door' to tourists from China and India.

She argued that climate impacts of increased flights could be offset 'holistically' elsewhere in the economy.

A public consultation on the Government's Heathrow expansion national policy statement closed on September 1. 

A Heathrow spokesman said: 'We agree with the Prime Minister that local voices must be heard. 

'We know from consistent polling over the last decade that communities support our plans for expansion, and support is only growing over time. 

'But critically, expanding Heathrow is a national project which will create jobs and boost growth in every part of the country. 

'That's why it is supported by trade unions, business groups, airports and communities across the UK and why we need to crack on with delivering it as quickly as possible.' 

Unite chief Ms Graham told Sky News later: 'I am opposed to any delay. I think we need to get on with it... 100,000 jobs. 

'And by the way, a significant thing. We've agreed because I was part of this, that all of the steel would be UK-produced. 

'It's a very important project. It needs to go ahead.' 

The GMB has also been urging the Government not to waste any more time.

The union's general secretary, Gary Smith, said: 'We need to put an end to decades of talk and lost benefits for working people across the country and get cracking.' 

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