Luton Airport expansion 'central' to council's mission to eliminate poverty in the town

Expanding London Luton Airport is central to the local authority’s mission to eliminate child poverty and raise living standards in the town by 2040, according to the council’s chief executive.

Based on its minimum income model “we know nine per cent of our households are living in destitution, with a further 12 per cent struggling to afford basic living standards”, Robin Porter told a Planning Inspectorate open hearing.

LBC’s airport company London Luton Airport Limited (LLAL) submitted its development consent order (DCO) plans to increase passenger capacity to 32m over several years.

This would involve expanding the airport terminal and building a second one, as well as creating the New Century Park business development.

Mr Porter explained: “This Luton 2040 vision is being delivered in partnership with our local system, of which the airport is a key anchor.

“The central mission is tackling poverty, because in Luton it’s too high, with 39 per cent of children living in relative poverty. That’s 24,000 young people living in households where they can’t afford the basics.