Healey makes the growth case for a third Heathrow runway while Burnham stays on the fence

The story

Chancellor John Healey has come out in favour of a third runway at Heathrow, saying there is a real growth case for the project even though Prime Minister Andy Burnham still won't back it.

Healey said the government would look closely at what people said in the public consultation, but made clear he sees airports as a big part of creating jobs and growing the economy. His comments come about two weeks before the Budget.

Burnham opposed Heathrow expansion when he was mayor of Greater Manchester, arguing it would pull money away from transport in the North. Since moving into Downing Street he has called himself open minded, but says it is a contested issue and mostly a matter for Londoners.

The cabinet is split too. Ed Miliband has long fought the runway on environmental grounds, and Lisa Nandy has said it doesn't fit with Britain's legally binding climate targets. Louise Haigh gave it cautious support back when she was transport secretary.

Heathrow's boss Thomas Woldbye said this week the airport is full, and warned that if the £33 billion plan doesn't go ahead, its owners will put the money to work somewhere else in the world.