International Travel

The minister highlighted that the unpredictable nature of the virus can disrupt holiday plans and emphasised the importance of data collection through the passenger locator form and NHS Test and Trace. He announced a new islands policy, outlining four guiding principles for assessing risk within these regions. The JBC methodology is designed to protect British citizens while enabling tourism to low-risk island destinations. However, the minister stressed that travelling during coronavirus carries risks and breaching quarantine can lead to criminal consequences.

The Government’s handling of the pandemic has been chaotic. They have failed to act promptly or provide clear guidelines for travellers, leading to inconsistent quarantine rules and confusion among the public. This lack of clarity is damaging public support for measures needed to combat the virus. Labour advocates for a proper sectoral deal with conditions to protect jobs, tackle climate change, and ensure fair tax practices.

The Government has combined extensive information from various sources to implement travel corridors. Testing capacity is high in the UK compared to other countries. The NHS test and trace system along with passenger locator forms help identify infection sources. Grant Shapps argues for travel with eyes open due to unpredictable virus patterns. He emphasises substantial financial support provided to the aviation sector through various schemes.

Welcomes the decision to treat islands differently from mainland territories in travel restrictions. Questions the Secretary of State about testing capabilities, suggesting a mid-point quarantine period as a balanced approach between safety and supporting the aviation industry.

Thanked the Secretary of State for his statement, expressed concern about the spread of coronavirus, criticised the Secretary of State's remarks regarding Scotland's quarantine decisions on Portugal and Greece. Asked for more support for the aviation industry and a timeline for the testing programme.

Responded to criticisms, defended the government's approach to quarantine decisions, emphasised ongoing support for the aviation sector despite media mischaracterisation. Promised to return with a timeline for testing programmes.

Asked the Secretary of State to continue monitoring and consider removing more countries from the red list to welcome overseas visitors back safely.

Critiqued today’s announcement as falling short, requested updates on increased testing and quarantine time reduction. Asked for trials on flights from Heathrow to JFK.

Asked the Secretary of State to continue reviewing the travel corridor list under constant scrutiny to allow safe travel.

Described job losses at Liverpool airport, urged for sector-specific support in aviation until quarantine arrangements are established.

Welcomed the islands policy but asked about introducing a mandatory test seven days after returning from holidays.

The Government have provided £160 billion to support businesses, helping many firms in the travel industry and protecting jobs temporarily. However, these businesses face a difficult winter period and need additional support.

The Government have provided substantial financial support to travel companies through various schemes such as the job retention scheme (£283 million), loan schemes, bounce back loans, and the furlough programme. Additional support will continue.

Two constituents who were in Spain when it was added to the quarantine list are experiencing hardship as their employer did not provide statutory sick pay, raising concerns about compliance with quarantine measures and fairness.

Requests for information from constituents regarding potential additions to the quarantine list suggest a need for transparency. The Government have been publicising data used by the Joint Biosecurity Centre to assess risk, going beyond case numbers per 100,000 over seven days.

Concerns about job losses at Edinburgh airport and the need for measures that balance supporting the aviation industry with medical evidence to shorten quarantine periods are raised, seeking assurance from the Government.

Requests support for Stansted airport employees, including those affected by job losses at ABM Blue Handling and easyJet. The islands policy announced will protect jobs by enabling islands to be added when mainland travel is not possible.

Questions the suggestion that differences in quarantine rules between UK nations cause confusion, arguing it arises from a failure to communicate when rules apply only to England.

Welcomes measures for islands and further granularity in quarantine rules, hoping the list of countries will be kept under review to enable travel as soon as it is safe.

Raises concerns about lack of testing at airports and tracing for incoming passengers, questioning enforcement measures to ensure compliance with quarantine rules and prevent virus spread from overseas.

Asks the Secretary of State to continue exploring opportunities, including testing, that could allow the aviation industry to return safely, supporting economic growth while avoiding a second spike from cases abroad.

Acknowledged the importance of Britain's aviation sector but criticised the Secretary of State for not acknowledging job losses in the industry, urging him to focus on intelligent risk management rather than complete avoidance.

Emphasised his love for aviation and acknowledged the need to balance getting people back to work with safety concerns. He mentioned that day-zero testing is not always reliable, preferring a later test period as advised by scientists.

Asked about the viability of Iceland's airport testing system in the UK context.

Highlighted challenges faced by universities and international students due to lack of clear testing and tracing infrastructure, criticising the Secretary of State for poor planning.

Asked the Secretary of State to introduce a testing regime that would support both aviation industry workers and holidaymakers, to which Grant Shapps agreed.

Expressed concern over constituents worried about neighbours breaking quarantine rules in their area and asked for reassurance on protective measures against such illegal activities.

Proposed moving the weekly time for returning from holidays to midnight on a Sunday to help people avoid buying expensive flights at the last minute, which Shapps considered but noted it needs balance with medical advice.

Asked for publication of evidence and criteria by which countries are placed on or off quarantine lists, to which Grant Shapps responded that the basis for decision-making has already been published on his Twitter feed.

Inquired about the financial support package promised to the aviation sector by the Chancellor in March and urged its immediate implementation to protect workers' rights.

Asked for an assurance regarding Eurostar services resuming as soon as possible, expressing concern about their suspension until 2022, which Shapps agreed would be reviewed and worked on closely with HS1.

Queried the Prime Minister's stance against airport testing claiming it gives a false sense of security, requesting to know if this would be revisited when updates on quarantine are provided.

Suggested considering pre-quarantine measures before people board flights and encouraged enabling testing at airports prior to travel as a way to prevent the spread of the virus during air travel.

Heathrow airport has a large testing facility that is sitting idle, the UK economy is losing an estimated £60 million a day in tourism revenue, and constituencies near airports are in economic crisis due to covid. Germany can provide targeted support for its aviation sector, such as furlough extension and quick-turnaround tests. Why cannot the UK?

Germany is one of the countries carrying out some tests at the border but on-the-day test is not a solution in terms of detecting disease. We are following the science and allowing scientists to look at various tests and provide advice about what would be a safe time.

The 14-day quarantine is a blunt instrument, and I think if we moved to a seven-day double-test system, it would make people safer but could also encourage more travel. Welcoming the Secretary of State's statement.

The first test is not required and will lead people to think they do not need to quarantine if negative, but an important test helps to shorten quarantine. Disagreeing with the seven-day double-test system proposed by Robert Syms.

How concerned is the Secretary of State about other countries placing quarantine restrictions on the UK because of rising coronavirus infection?

Concerns are shared by everybody, and it remains a live issue. Following rules to prevent spreading the virus.

Bolton has seen the highest infection rate in the country; calling on everyone to do the right thing by staying home for the full quarantine period if mandated after returning from abroad.

Absolutely joining the call to stay home during mandated quarantine periods to prevent spreading disease and risk of getting a criminal record.

Asking what discussions are had with Northern Ireland Executive to align international travel advice while respecting devolved authority. Does the Secretary believe there is a case for mandatory alignment?

In close contact with opposite numbers in Northern Ireland, including as recently as today, to try to co-ordinate across the Union.

As international travel slowly gets back on its feet over coming weeks and months, will Secretary of State look at what further support he can give to help jobs dependent on the travel industry?

Considering the 80:20 rule that from 1 January will be a matter entirely for the UK. Considering it carefully to help the entire sector.

Passengers landing at Heathrow go straight on Piccadilly line through Ealing and Acton, which is now a petri dish with an above-average virus rate. Asking Secretary to stop playing politics and give Transport for London the bail-out it deserves.

Congratulating on shoehorning TfL into all this, noting that £1.6 billion has already been bailed out to TfL.

Welcoming further announcements today from my right hon. Friend’s about travel corridors and differing rules across different parts of the UK are confusing for passengers and tourist industries.

Working as four nations closely together, will continue to look for opportunities and ways to do that through information sharing to confuse people less.

Welcoming the fact that Transport Secretary is following what was done in Wales in relation to having an islands policy. Can we look at the issue of announcements at 4 am on a Thursday?

Understanding the point about changeover date, will certainly be reflecting on this further.

HS1 is in a perilous position with both Ebbsfleet and Ashford stations closed until at least 2021. Would the Secretary of State or one of his team care to meet HS1, Eurostar and me to try to resolve this serious situation?

Very happy with Rail Minister to have a meeting on concerns about closed stations until 2021.