Unions call on Reform to “honour their promise” to re-open Doncaster-Sheffield Airport with “thousands of jobs on the line”
Union protest planned as Reform‑led council moves to reverse £57m airport loan
Reform accused of a “huge U‑turn” as unions warn funding cut would cost jobs, stall growth and waste £16m already committed
Unions have today (Wednesday) called on the Reform‑controlled Doncaster Council to “honour their promise” to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, warning that thousands of jobs and billions of pounds in regional growth are now at risk.
The call comes after Reform councillors announced this month that they intend to rescind the £57 million council loan approved to support the airport’s reopening – a move unions say would put the entire project in jeopardy.
Unions say the decision represents a “huge U‑turn” by Reform UK who in the run‑up to the 2025 council elections:
described the airport as “the jewel in our crown”
pledged it would sit at the heart of Doncaster’s economic regeneration
promised to use the council’s financial and policy powers to support the airport
Massive financial hit
The TUC, GMB and Unite warn that pulling the approved funding would deal a major blow to Doncaster and the wider region.
Independent and council‑backed assessments have shown that reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport would:
support more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs across aviation, logistics, manufacturing and local supply chains
unlock up to £2 billion in long‑term economic growth for South Yorkshire.
Unions warn that those jobs and that growth would be put at serious risk if the funding is withdrawn.
They also say Reform’s decision risks wasting public money already spent. Before the loan funding was agreed Doncaster Council approved an initial £16 million facility to allow work on reopening the airport to begin. That funding has already been used for site holding costs, staffing, regulatory and airspace work, and early operational preparation.
If the reopening is abandoned unions warn that much of that £16 million will be unrecoverable, leaving local taxpayers out of pocket with nothing to show for it.
Protest
Unions will today organise a “save our airport’ protest outside the Doncaster-Sheffield site at Main Car Park, Doncaster/Sheffield Airport, Great Yorkshire Way, DN9 3RW.
The photo-op will begin at 11am and union spokespeople will be available for interview.
TUC Yorkshire Regional Secretary Dave Pike said:
“Reform looked voters in the face and promised that Doncaster Sheffield Airport would be at the heart of regenerating Doncaster and the wider region. We expect them to honour that promise.
“The terms of the loan have not changed since before or after last year’s election so there is no justification for this huge U‑turn.
“Reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport would create thousands of good‑quality, union jobs and deliver a huge boost to the local economy. Walking away now would mean wasting money already spent, put all those on the line and squandering a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity for this region.”
Sarah Barnes, GMB Organiser, said:
“It wasn’t long ago workers, unions and politicians fought tooth and nail to save Doncaster-Sheffield airport.
“Now, councillors want to trample all over their dreams and rob South Yorkshire of its international transport hub.
“Doncaster-Sheffield airport is vital for the region and will create thousands of jobs.
“The council needs to row back on their broken promise and give us back our airport.”
Unite regional officer Chris Rawlinson said: “Unite is clear: the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is vital for jobs, growth, and the region’s future.
“While concerns about lease terms should be addressed, withdrawing the £57 million loan—as proposed by Reform UK—would risk derailing the entire project. The priority must be to strengthen the deal, not stop it, and Unite will campaign to ensure this crucial investment is delivered.”
- Reform UK figures supported reopening DSA before the election and described it as central to regeneration – see more here
- About the TUC: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.3 million working people who make up our 47 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
Contacts:
TUC press office
media@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1248
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