A second runway at Gatwick Airport has been backed by government, providing measures to reduce noise are put in place. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was "minded to approve" the expansion. Some MPs, local authorities and residents are strongly opposed.

Britain is set to approve the expansion of Gatwick Airport, the government's transport minister said on Thursday, after she issued a "minded to approve" letter but said the deadline for a final decision would be extended to Oct.

Gareth Bacon, the shadow transport secretary, said it represented an “abject failure” on the part of the Government, which had “fallen at the first hurdle” in overruling blockers to unleash a flood of infrastructure projects – including a potential third runway at Heathrow.