The U.K. government is backing the construction of a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport, Treasury chief Rachel Reeves said Wednesday in a speech designed to signal to the business world that the new Labour government is serious about turning around the economy.

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.

The UK’s busiest airport will get a third runway and a new terminal after confirmation by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today. Airport bosses have been pushing for the expansion for years, arguing that Heathrow’s capacity is full. They said the £14 billion expansion is needed to add 260,000 flights.

What could a third runway at Heathrow mean for tourism and the climate? Whatever the outcome, it’s still a long way away from happening.

LONDON—The UK government has thrown its weight behind the much-awaited third runway for London Heathrow airport. In a major speech Jan. 29 outlining the need for economic growth, UK finance minister Rachel Reeves backed the proposal and said the government was inviting proposals from the airport by the summer season.

Britain's Labour government will back the construction of a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport to boost trade and economic growth, finance minister Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday.

Britain's Labour government on Wednesday backed a plan for a third runway at London's busy Heathrow airport, with finance minister Rachel Reeves saying it would help grow the economy while

Rachel Reeves' support for a third runway came in a wide-ranging speech on boosting UK growth rates, which have been historically low since the 2008 global financial crisis for a variety of reasons. V