However, the push for economic growth and promises to cut regulations have led some to question whether this is being prioritised over environmental concerns.
One former Labour frontbencher suggested the chancellor was in danger of looking “desperate” in her search for growth.
The expansion of Heathrow has long been opposed by green groups, some Labour MPs and residents living near the airport.
Sir Keir Starmer and seven ministers who attend his cabinet – including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed – voted against proposals for a third runway in 2018, when the party was in opposition.
Last week Miliband said he would not resign if the government backed a third runway, insisting clean energy was “absolutely complementary” with the government’s growth mission.
But London mayor Khan has said his opposition to a third runway has not changed and he would support a legal challenge if the government backed proposals.
There is currently no application for a third runway at Heathrow and in December the airport’s boss said the company needed a “clear steer” from the government by the end of 2025 for plans to be taken forward.
Reeves also suggested the government would consider joining an arrangement between the European Union and neighbouring countries that is designed to facilitate tariff-free trading.
Last week the EU’s new trade chief Maros Sefcovic told the BBC he was open to Britain joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM) as part of a post-Brexit “reset”.
The chancellor told Sky News the government was “happy to look at these different proposals” because the current deal “is not working well enough” for businesses.
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