Airports Commission spends £2.1m on South-East airport expansion study

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The Airports Commission has splashed more than £2.1 million in the two years it has spent considering airport expansion in the South-East.

Sir Howard Davies’ commission was set up in 2012 and last December shortlisted new runways at Heathrow and Gatwick as options to expand UK airport capacity.

A final report is due next summer but total spending for the taxpayer-funded Airports Commission has already hit £2,163,041, the Evening Standard can reveal. On top of that figure, the commission has spent £107,000 on rent.

Despite that, Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the London Chamber of Commerce, has criticised the Government for its delay in formally responding to the commission’s December report.

He said: “The appalling delay by the Government in spelling out what it plans to do to gain capacity does not help to instill confidence. Every day of delay could hamper Britain’s export potential.”