Product is already the airport’s single biggest export in volume terms

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has defended her decision to back the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport by declaring its importance to the country’s food and drink exports, including Scottish salmon, which is already the airport’s single biggest export in volume terms.

In a speech, Reeves said: “According to the most recent study, from Frontier Economics, a third runway could increase potential GDP by 0.43% by 2050. Over half – 60% of that boost – would go to areas outside of London and the south-east, including increasing trade opportunities for products like Scotch whisky and Scottish salmon, already two of the biggest British exports out of Heathrow.”