Gatwick second runway plan approved - Mims Davies MP angry at the announcement

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has approved plans for a second runway at London Gatwick Airport, as the government looks for economic growth opportunities.

The project involves in effect moving the current Northern Runway 12 metres to bring it into regular use, as well as other developments, including extending the size of terminals.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the plans would create "thousands of jobs and billions in investment", but the project has faced opposition and the Green Party described it as a "disaster".

Gatwick currently handles about 280,000 flights a year. It says the plan would allow that number to rise to around 389,000 by the late 2030s.

Reeves said the second Gatwick runway was part of the government's plan to "get Britain building again"

Mims Davies, the Conservative MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, criticised the way the announcement was made.

She said on social media: "What about an email or letter to local MPs? Ahead of the formally awaited decision for courtesy and for our constituents who work there or are locally affected. Or will a Sun newspaper column just do!?"