An extensive study will launch to quantify Heathrow Airport's economic and social impact on surrounding communities

In a recent meeting of the Heathrow Sustainable Economic Growth (HSEG) Taskforce, the Chair, announced the commissioning of an Oxford Economics project which will conduct an extensive study to quantify Heathrow Airport's economic and social impact on surrounding communities.

This report will be pivotal for the HSEG Taskforce in shaping the Heathrow Sustainable Economic Growth Plan later in the year, aiming for both economic resilience and social responsibility.

The scope of the Oxford Economic (OE) study includes:

1.     The core economic footprint of the Airport: its direct, indirect, and induced contribution to UK GDP, employment, and tax revenues;

2.     The catalytic economic impact of the Airport: through connecting UK businesses to global markets, facilitating tourism, and enabling trade;

3.     The characteristics of the Heathrow workforce: drawing on the findings of the Heathrow Employment Survey and other published data/official statistics. They will characterise local employment facilitated by the Airport;

4.     Socio-economic analysis and stakeholder consultation: OE will draw on published data and our forecasting services, as well as consultations with Taskforce members, to identify a range of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

A comprehensive report will then be produced containing conclusions and recommendations for the Taskforce.

Locations to be included within the project

The model will measure the economic footprint within the catchment area, to include nine local authorities:

·        Buckinghamshire

·        Ealing

·        Elmbridge

·        Hillingdon

·        Hounslow

·        Runnymede

·        Slough

·        Spelthorne

·        Windsor & Maidenhead.

The Department for Transport’s Developing a Framework for the Local Economic Impact of Airport, and a report from the New Economics Foundation, Losing Altitude: The Economics of Air Transport in Great Britain, which both challenge some core assumptions about the value of aviation, will be considered as part of this study.

There will be an in-person launch with Taskforce members in the early summer. 

Findings of the study

The plan is to present the findings of the study at the CISHA Open Forum in October, where there will be an opportunity to ask questions and have a discussion on the findings and recommendations. So do come along and join us for that on Thursday 24th October.

Lord David Blunkett
Chair,
Heathrow Sustainable Economic Growth (HSEG) Taskforce