In a major speech, the country’s top finance official pushed for faster economic growth, and supported a long-debated expansion at the London airport.

Rachel Reeves’s first few months as Britain’s top finance official have been marked by a steady drumbeat of bad news: a “black hole” in the public finances, higher taxes and low growth. On Wednesday, Ms. Reeves sought to change Britain’s prospects by laying out plans to strengthen the economy, including supporting another runway at Heathrow Airport.

A third runway is “badly needed,” Ms. Reeves said in a speech to business executives. The debate about whether to expand the airport, which would be one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe, has been running for more than two decades. “We cannot duck the decision any longer,” she said.

In recent weeks, Ms. Reeves has ratcheted up her efforts to spur growth, making numerous announcements and stressing optimism about the country’s outlook.

“Low

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