UK finance minister, asked about Heathrow expansion, says growth is her priority

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rachel Reeves gave her biggest indication yet that she would support expanding London's Heathrow hub, saying driving economic growth was the government's priority in answer to a question about airport expansion.

"When we say that growth is the number one mission of this government, we mean it, and that means it trumps other things," she told a Bloomberg event at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos on Wednesday.

Britain's problem in the past had been rejecting new infrastructure, she said.

"The answer can't always be no," she said, highlighting past decisions on not building pylons, airports and housing.

Heathrow, Britain and Europe's busiest airport, has for decades wanted to build a new runway to grow trade and boost tourism, but the plan is currently on ice following the COVID pandemic and multiple environmental challenges.

But according to media reports, Reeves is expected to give Heathrow's expansion the green light when she makes a speech next week setting out more detailed plans to grow the economy.

Any move to increase flying is likely to prompt opposition from environmentalists over worries about the impact of aviation emissions on climate change.

Reeves said she would not comment on speculation about her speech next week.

Separately, Britain's second largest airport Gatwick is waiting for the government to say whether or not it is allowed to expand to add tens of millions of extra passengers each year. A decision is expected by Feb. 27.

(Reporting by Sarah Young, editing by Elizabeth Piper)