Mayors attack Reform UK over plan to reverse loan which could scupper airport opening

Last week, councillor Jason Charity, deputy leader of Reform UK Doncaster, told an extraordinary meeting of the City of Doncaster Council that his party no longer supports the decision made in November 2025 and that while its still supported the re-opening, there was “no blank cheque.”

Now mayors Coppard and Jones have joined forces to say Reform’s plan risks derailing the airport re-opening completely.

Both have now issued lengthy statements in response to Reform.

Here’s what they said:

ROS JONES, MAYOR OF DONCASTER

“Doncaster Sheffield Airport is at risk as Reform threatens a U-turn on crucial airport borrowing.

“Back in November 2025, Doncaster councillors voted in favour (with cross party support – 42 in favour and nine against) to a decision that would enable borrowing of up to £57m to support the funding required to enable the full reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

"This borrowing would finance the front-loaded expenditure to get the airport fully operational. This would be repaid through SYMCA Gainshare funding and operational income generated by the Airport business. This was considered and scrutinised through a number of key meetings including SYMCA Board in September, Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, CDC Cabinet in November and finally Full Council on the 27 November.

"These decisions are all linked and required to fund the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

“Doncaster Reform councillors were told in November that to reject the borrowing decision would effectively kill the airport project. It now appears that Reform are wanting to perform a screeching U-Turn on the very borrowing decision they voted in favour of just four months ago – talk about flip-flopping!

“Since the funding decisions at the end of 2025, activity to fully reopen the airport has ramped up, with fire engines on order, radar order ready to go, works to the ATC Tower ready to go, airspace and certification are progressing well with the CAA and we now have over 40 vital roles recruited to including; Head of Assets, Head of Fire, Head of Cargo and General Aviation, Head of Security, Landside and Airside Managers, and Air Traffic Controllers to name but a few.

“We have local and regional businesses making decisions now in preparation for the airport reopening. We are in advanced negotiations with both passenger and freight operators and in discussions with businesses which are keen to locate adjacent to the airport that will help deliver the thriving hub for aviation related industry.

“What Reform are threatening would be terrible for Doncaster, South Yorkshire and UK businesses and they are already creating uncertainty which damages Doncaster, our reputation and the future of our Airport. It is however highlighting the fact that Reform are not the friends of business!

“Reform were given all the information necessary, there are thousands of pages of information already publicly available detailing every step that has been taken over the past near four years, what has become apparent is that they are clearly not reading that information.

“Reform and Conservative councillors have also been offered numerous meetings and briefings in relation to the airport project, these have either been cancelled by their leadership or the councillors have simply not turned up. This is shambolic behaviour and proves that they are not interested in the facts or listening to expert advice, instead they want to spread misinformation and division, whilst attempting to intimidate and discredit senior officers.

“Doncaster needs this airport, our residents and businesses want our airport, they know the potential that it can bring in terms of economic growth, jobs and opportunities.

“Reform need to stop with these political games, they need to get serious and get behind the single largest investment in Doncaster for more than a generation!”

OLIVER COPPARD, MAYOR OF SOUTH YORKSHIRE

"Make no mistake, what Reform are now planning to do has the potential to kill the reopening of DSA as a viable project.

"The funding package they are set to reject is the only viable way to reopen DSA and give Doncaster and South Yorkshire our airport back, with all the opportunity that goes with it.

“The reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is the biggest single opportunity for jobs and growth across South Yorkshire.

"That’s why last September – alongside Leaders from the four South Yorkshire councils – after two years of negotiation and due diligence, I backed the reopening of DSA with a package of support worth over £160m.

“Before their election Reform in Doncaster said they wanted to reopen DSA. In November Reform said they backed the project. Now they want to reverse that decision, with no proper explanation or alternative plan.

“They say they have been ‘blindsided’ but Reform’s Deputy Leader failed to turn up at both SYMCA and Doncaster Council briefings last year, when all the risks were laid out in detail and they had the opportunity to ask about the lease or any other concerns.

“I have repeatedly said I would be happy to meet with them to explain why this project is not only viable but vital, yet they have never contacted me to ask for a conversation about the project or its financing.

“We have published nearly 1000 pages of studies and plans that we undertook as part of our due diligence that they have shown no sign of reading, let alone understanding.

“Every day that Reform councillors continue to call into question the reopening of DSA does nothing but undermine its future and investor confidence, putting at risk jobs, livelihoods and opportunities for people across Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield.

“Whether it’s born of incompetence or political posturing, they must withdraw their threat to stop the reopening of DSA and fully commit to supporting the long-term future of this project. Anything less will be a potentially fatal blow to the reopening of DSA, the renewal of Gateway East and the continued progress of Doncaster and South Yorkshire.”

Reform UK has also issued its own statement regarding the move.

Headed “Yes to DSA, no to a blank cheque,” spokesperson said: “Reform UK Doncaster is fully committed to seeing Doncaster Sheffield Airport reopen.

"We believe a thriving airport is vital for jobs, investment, and the future of our region – and we will fight for that.

“But being committed to the airport means being committed to getting the DEAL RIGHT for Doncaster’s people.

“Our deputy leader Councillor Jason Charity (Conisbrough) raised serious concerns at this week’s extraordinary council meeting that every Doncaster resident deserves to know about:

“A leaked lease document shows 20% of DSA’s turnover – including taxpayer-funded grants – would go straight to landowner Peel – £200m–£300m of essential infrastructure upgrades (rail, motorway junctions) have no identified funding

“Regional airports like Cardiff are already surviving on bailouts – margins are wafer thin.

“As Cllr Charity said: “We are completely behind anything that drives growth in Doncaster – but we don’t think we should write a blank cheque.”

“We want the airport open. We want it to succeed. That’s exactly WHY we’re demanding a deal that protects taxpayers and gives DSA the best possible chance of long-term success – not a rushed agreement that sets it up to fail.

“Reform UK Doncaster will keep fighting for transparency, accountability, and an airport that works for everyone.”

Coun Charity told the chamber that Reform UK would be calling another extraordinary meeting of council, in order to reverse the decision.

The City of Doncaster Council constitution states Reform UK would have the power to reverse the approval.

If the funding decision is reversed, it could throw the airport reopening into chaos, as officers warned in November that not approving the borrowing would “kill” the reopening project.

In a statement following the meeting, a party spokesperson said Reform UK still supports the reopening of DSA and wants to see it succeed.

But the party feels it approved the borrowing without being properly informed of “significant financial consequences”.

City of Doncaster Council is currently attempting to reopen DSA with around £160m of public funds, not including the borrowing approved in November.

The airport closed in 2022 after the landowners and operators, the Peel Group, deemed it was not commercially viable.