The Cole Commission on Exports published its final report today showing that with a widening UK trade deficit, having sufficient export capacity has become critical if the UK is to win the race for jobs and growth.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “The Cole Commission’s report on improving exports for Britain shows how critical the case for Heathrow expansion has become. As the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow currently exports 26% of all UK goods by value – but as today’s report points out, without expansion Britain will increasingly lose out to its European rivals in the race for freight capacity. With the Airports Commission due to give its recommendation on additional runway capacity, the government must prioritise extra runway capacity at Heathrow to stop the trade deficit dragging on the economy.”