Heathrow airport’s £33bn third runway plan chosen by government

Volkswagen has announced the completion of a new R&D centre in Hebei, eastern China, enabling the company to develop new cars entirely outside Germany for the first time in its history. This move aims to strengthen its position in the world's largest auto market.

The UK government has announced an extension of the sugar tax to include bottled milkshakes and pre-packaged lattes, lowering the sugar threshold from 5g to 4.5g per 100ml. This initiative aims to address rising obesity rates among children and improve public health outcomes.

The UK government has officially selected Heathrow Airport's plan for a longer third runway, which will extend to 3.5 kilometers and necessitate the construction of a new road tunnel beneath the airport. This decision is part of a broader £33 billion expansion initiative aimed at increasing the airport's capacity and is expected to be operational by 2035.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is preparing to unveil her second Autumn Budget on November 26, 2025, amidst significant public and political scrutiny regarding potential tax hikes and spending cuts. This budget follows extensive consultations with bond-market investors and Labour Party members, reflecting a response to the ongoing economic challenges facing the UK.

A recent report indicates that the UK could create 5,400 jobs by halting plastic waste exports, with the potential to establish up to 15 new recycling facilities by 2030. This shift is expected to attract over £800 million in private investment and generate nearly £900 million in economic value annually.

The UK government has officially selected Heathrow Airport's £33 billion proposal for a third runway, as announced by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. This expansion plan aims to enhance the airport's capacity and is expected to be operational by 2035.

A report by the National Foundation for Educational Research indicates that up to 3 million low-skilled jobs in the UK could be lost to automation and artificial intelligence by 2035, with trades, machine operations, and administrative roles being the most vulnerable.

A recent government review has determined that the UK is now the most expensive country in the world to build nuclear power stations, attributing this to excessive bureaucracy and regulatory complexity. The nuclear regulatory taskforce, initiated by Keir Starmer, aims to streamline planning and environmental rules to expedite the construction of reactors.