David Cameron and key ministers to meet on Heathrow expansion

David Cameron, George Osborne and key UK cabinet ministers will meet tonight to discuss how to respond to recommendations that a third runway should be built at Heathrow.

Downing Street said a decision on how to proceed on airport expansion will be made, which will go before the Cabinet.

Mr Cameron has previously said a decision would be made by the end of the year but the promise later appeared to be watered down. No 10 repeated its commitment to providing a “clear direction” by the end of the year.

The Davies Commission recommended the construction of the controversial third runway in a report in July.

UK transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, environment secretary Liz Truss, Scotland secretary David Mundell, communities secretary Greg Clark, cabinet office minister Oliver Letwin and chief whip Mark Harper will also attend the cabinet sub-committee on airports to consider its recommendations.

Business secretary Sajid Javid will miss the meeting because he is on a visit to India and the energy secretary Amber Rudd is also expected to be unable to attend.

London mayor Boris Johnson has not been invited to the meeting and no MPs from the capital will be represented.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The sub-committee will come out with a conclusion which will go to Cabinet.”