Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on the Court of Appeal ruling that the government’s approval for a third runway at Heathrow was unlawful, said:

“Today’s ruling is a victory for environmental campaigners, local councils and the Mayor – but also for the billions of people, including everyone in this country, who could be affected terribly by climate change.

“Because the Tories have dragged their feet, the UK is way off-track to meet its climate targets. Expanding Heathrow would have been totally incompatible with acting to prevent global heating.

“We should all be alarmed that the government is so unwilling to defend people from climate change that we rely on the courts – and brave campaigners – to oppose the Tories’ illegal and destructive policies.”