1922 Committee Chairman tables EDM criticising government for runway delay

The motion has also won the support of a range of MPs on a cross-country cross-party basis.

Co-sponsors of the motion include: Drew Hendry the MP for Inverness and the SNP’s Westminster Transport Spokesperson; Gavin Robinson the DUP MP for Belfast East; Catherine McKinnell the Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North and the former Minister John Spellar the Labour MP for Warley.

Dozens more MPs from across the UK are expected to sign in the coming weeks.

The EDM reads: “This house regrets the continuing delay in making a final decision on airport expansion in London and the South East; believes that a decision is vital for the prosperity of the nations and regions of the United Kingdom and urges Ministers to make sure that this delay is not repeated; notes that the Airports Commission spent three years and millions of taxpayers' money examining the evidence in a process that has been robust and rigorous; believes the Government should get on with making a decision on airport expansion in the South East of England as swiftly as possible; further believes that every additional period of delay will cost the UK billions in lost trade and investment and damage the UK's competitiveness; therefore urges the Government to use the coming months to make rapid progress and announce a final decision in Parliament before the summer recess."

Graham Brady MP said: “Whatever the British people decide in the EU referendum, the real key to our prosperity is global trade with the world's most dynamic markets. Once the referendum is behind us Ministers must prioritise a final decision about where to build a new runway and announce that decision in Parliament before the summer recess. Every further period of delay is putting at risk the economic recovery and is a threat to our long-term prosperity.”