Scepticism in Whitehall that Heathrow plan can be reconciled with climate targets

Rachel Reeves said the government would work to ensure the third runway is ‘in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations’. Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/EPA

Rachel Reeves caused a furious backlash as she insisted a third runway at Heathrow was “set up for success”, despite scepticism in Whitehall that the plan can be reconciled with the UK’s climate obligations.

The chancellor made throwing the government’s weight behind Heathrow expansion the centrepiece of a major speech on growth on Wednesday.