The Government has announced that it will defer a decision on airport expansion until after the new Conservative party leader is elected, according to reports. If true, the move will push back a decision that was promised by the end of the year.

The current recommendation from the Airport Commission is that Heathrow should be expanded with a third runway. However if Boris Johnson is elected to the leadership of the party and thus becomes Prime Minister, this looks unlikely, as Mr Johnson has been vocal in his opposition to this plan. The other party leader hopeful, Theresa May, has also expressed concern.