Heathrow has, unsurprisingly, welcomed the government's decision, external to back a third runway.

"We await the full details, but Heathrow stands ready to work with government, businesses, airlines and our local communities to deliver an airport that is fair, affordable and secures the benefits of expansion for the whole of the UK," a spokesperson for the airport said.  

Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Put simply, it's about time. Successive governments have prevaricated for far too long in the face of a blindingly obvious need for more runway capacity. Businesses will now want assurances that the final approval process for Heathrow's new runway will be smooth and swift, so that construction can begin as soon as possible."

“One new runway is not enough to give the UK the aviation capacity it requires to trade the world successfully. Airports like Gatwick, Birmingham, Stansted, and others with growth aspirations should also get the chance to expand and grow in the future.”

BBC News Channel

BBC assistant political editor, Norman Smith wonders what the Tory MPs who oppose Heathrow expansion are going to do.

"How far do they push it, how far are they willing to go, how far can they go? Theresa May has tried to hem them in," he says.

"What happens when we eventually get to a vote? Will Theresa May try and force them into line, or will she have to buckle and allow a free vote?"

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling says a new runway at Heathrow is a clear signal the UK is open for business following the Brexit vote. 

It was the "best option" for the UK's future and its trade links with the rest of the world, he tells the BBC.

It was also best for the whole of the UK because of its connectivity with other regions, he says.

Does he think the new runway will be built - given the threat of legal challenges and Cabinet opposition? "Absolutely," he says. 

The fight is on to the west of Heathrow. The leader of Windsor and Maidenhead borough council declares his intention to fight against the decision.

The prime minister's local authority had said it will spend £50,000 to challenge Heathrow expansion.

Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative MP for Richmond Park - which is under the Heathrow flight path - has previously threatened to resign and run for re-election as an independent MP if the government approves a third runway.

He has tweeted:

Confirming the government's decision to back a third runway at Heathrow, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

"The step that government is taking today is truly momentous. I am proud that after years of discussion and delay this government is taking decisive action to secure the UK’s place in the global aviation market – securing jobs and business opportunities for the next decade and beyond.

"A new runway at Heathrow will improve connectivity in the UK itself and crucially boost our connections with the rest of the world, supporting exports, trade and job opportunities. This isn’t just a great deal for business, it’s a great deal for passengers who will also benefit from access to more airlines, destinations and flights."

The Department for Transport has confirmed the government has given its backing for a third runway at Heathrow.

"In a major boost for the UK economy the government today announced its support for a new runway at Heathrow – the first full length runway in the south-east since the second world war," it says, external.

Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor

Last year Boris Johnson said he would lie down "in front of the bulldozers" if Heathrow built a new runway.

BBC political correspondent Norman Smith has just asked the Foreign Secretary as he left Number 10 following today's Cabinet meeting whether he will still oppose expansion at Heathrow?

"Yes," was Mr Johnson's reply. 

In a sign of the pressure the former London mayor now faces, the co-leader of the Green Party immediately says Mr Johnson should resign because he can't properly oppose Heathrow as part of the government.

BBC News Channel

BBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott says it looks like the option that ministers went for this morning was a third runway at Heathrow.

There was a second Heathrow option, which was to extend an existing runway.

The government-backed Airports Commission last year decided a third Heathrow runway was the best option. "It would be a brave government that would go against someone who looked into it in that kind of detail," Richard says.

House of Commons
Parliament

At 11:30am Chancellor Philip Hammond and his team of Treasury ministers take questions from MPs.

An urgent question from Conservative MP Charles Walker to the leader of the House follows. Mr Walker chairs the Commons Procedure Committee, which has produced a report on private members' bills.

After that, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling will make a statement on airport expansion. The BBC understands that a committee of ministers has approved a third runway as Heathrow airport.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

Radio 5 live speaks to Lucy who lives in Harmondsworth, which will be right next to the new runway.  

She is dubious about Heathrow's claim that the new runway would create thousands of jobs.

"We're still waiting for the number of people they employed at Terminal Five," she says.

"We will continue to fight," she says.

Mike Cherry, National Chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“Today’s reported decision on airport capacity is a welcome boost for British business, which could deliver up to £211bn of extra economic growth, 180,000 jobs and double the apprenticeships at Heathrow to a total of 10,000.

"We now need to see budgets committed and shovels in the ground as soon as possible.

"We have already worked closely with Heathrow to guarantee small firms will play a major part in the huge £16bn procurement exercise to build the runway and associated works."

Baroness Kramer, a Lib Dem peer, says the decision is "wrong", will create pollution and noise and she will be fighting it.

But Labour MP Wes Streeting says there are huge benefits in terms of jobs and transport accessibility. 

"It's the best option for the British economy, because as a hub airport it will deliver significant benefits for all regions of the UK," he adds. 

Victoria Derbyshire

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Ministers this morning backed expansion at Heathrow airport, the BBC understands. While we wait for confirmation from Downing Street, there's a small protest gathering outside Parliament. 

Caroline Lucas, co-head of the Green Party, is one of those protesting. She's said...

With expansion at Heathrow seemingly getting the go-ahead from ministers this morning, we'd like to hear from Business Live readers what they think.

Good idea? Bad idea? Will you be affected by expansion? Is it the right call for the UK as it looks to the wider world post-Brexit?

Get in touch at bizlivepage@bbc.co.uk. 

To get us started, here's an email from one of our readers... 

The Airports Commission did cast its eye at one option in the Thames estuary - the so-called Boris Island - but decided to quash it in favour of Heathrow.

BBC reporter Norman Smith, at Downing Street, also says Heathrow has been given the green light.   

He says he has spoken to someone who attended this morning's cabinet sub-committee meeting and that Theresa May will now be informing the full cabinet. 

"Interestingly Boris Johnson avoided us this morning," Mr Smith says. "Normally he goes in the front door at number 10 but today he did not... I suspect because he didn't want to answer too many questions about lying down in front of bulldozers any time soon."