← Back to House of Commons Debates
International Travel
20 September 2021
Lead MP
Grant Shapps
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Business & Trade
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Grant Shapps raised concerns about international travel in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister, Grant Shapps, announced further easing of international travel restrictions in the UK while maintaining public health safeguards. With over eight out of ten people fully vaccinated, he outlined a new framework for testing and health measures at borders to replace the traffic light system from October 4th. This includes exempting fully vaccinated passengers from quarantine when arriving from non-red list countries. A pre-departure test requirement will be lifted for vaccinated individuals unless coming from a red-listed country, and day-2 PCR tests will transition to lateral flow tests by late October at no further cost if positive results require confirmatory testing. The policy also confirms that unvaccinated passengers or those with non-authorised vaccines remain subject to pre-departure, day two and eight PCR tests alongside isolation requirements.
Jim McMahon
Lab/Co-op
Oldham West and Royton
Question
Does the Secretary of State plan to publish a full list of countries assessed for travel, indicating both directions? Why has progress on an international vaccine passport been slow?
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that all positive PCR tests will now be genomically sequenced to identify variants entering the UK and reiterated efforts with international partners to introduce vaccine passports. He did not provide a definitive timeline for publishing comprehensive country-by-country assessments but emphasised ongoing cooperation.
Jim McMahon
Lab/Co-op
Oldham West and Royton
Question
How will the introduction of lateral flow tests work in practice by October half term? What support is being provided to furloughed workers?
Minister reply
The Minister explained that the cost for lateral flow tests post-travel would be borne by travellers, though exact prices were not specified. He acknowledged the concern regarding jobs and urged discussions with industry leaders for potential solutions beyond October.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Question
The MP congratulates the minister for his statement and expresses support for scrapping the traffic-light system but raises concerns about the lack of a full country-by-country assessment. He questions the financial burden on families due to testing requirements and the number of positive cases that were not sent for genomic sequencing. McMahon also inquires about the practical implementation of lateral flow tests from October and progress on international vaccine passports, while stressing the need for support for workers on furlough.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged Labour's previous positions on travel restrictions but stated that the government's approach is based on scientific advice. He confirmed that positive PCR tests will now be sent for genomic sequencing and that lateral flow tests will be provided by the private sector, with costs expected to be lower than PCR testing.
Question
Welcoming the announcement of simplifying international travel rules, the MP asks about ensuring resilience in border control to handle increased demand following the reopening of transatlantic routes.
Minister reply
The minister assured that Border Force has been working over the summer to integrate pre-departure tests and vaccine status into its e-gates. He stated that the government will continue discussions with the Home Office to ensure smooth operations as travel increases.
Question
The MP questions the clinical advice on removing pre-departure PCR tests and changing testing requirements from PCR to lateral flow. He raises concerns about maintaining a four-nations approach in Scotland, noting previous issues with variant importation due to divergence in policy.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged that the Joint Biosecurity Centre works with devolved Administrations but pointed out that the delta variant has affected all countries worldwide. He emphasised that the Scottish Government's decision to diverge from UK policy is curtailing Scotland’s aviation and travel industries, leaving travel agents in Scotland concerned about a bleak winter.
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State’s confirmation that Kenya will come off the red list on Wednesday and asks if we should continue to make travel between the UK and Kenya even easier, such as through fewer restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the excellent work by Theo Clarke as trade envoy to Kenya; confirms that Kenya is coming off the red list. Mentions plans for adding more countries where people who are fully vaccinated can travel easily.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Question
Asks about new surveillance regime to prevent new variants from spreading; expresses concern that testing and genomic sequencing is being downgraded.
Minister reply
Thanks Yvette Cooper for her perspective. Acknowledges the progress in vaccination rates and mentions the use of lateral flow tests as part of a balanced approach.
Question
Welcomes statement on pragmatic approach to covid-19 testing for international travel; asks when slot allocations will be reviewed, particularly with a view to the spring and summer season next year.
Minister reply
Pays tribute to Henry Smith’s work on the future of aviation all-party parliamentary group. Discusses technical issues related to slot allocations at busy airports.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Question
Welcomes removal of Pakistan from red list; asks what support is being given to regional airports such as Manchester to reopen important routes.
Minister reply
Thanks Afzal Khan for his efforts in getting Pakistan back on the list. Discusses work through the future of aviation all-party parliamentary group and invites him to meet with the aviation Minister.
Question
Critiques SNP's stance on tourism, citing concerns from Scottish Tourism Alliance and 40 tourism organisations; asks how Secretary of State can convince Scottish Government to follow UK Government plans.
Minister reply
Encourages all parts of the UK to come together; argues that divergent policies by the SNP are confusing for passengers and harmful to Scotland’s economy.
Tahir Ali
Lab
Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
Question
Asks Secretary of State to explain punitive measures imposed on constituents from British Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities; asks if an apology is warranted.
Minister reply
Regrets the path taken by Tahir Ali but defends the work of Joint Biosecurity Centre, stating that politics should not be involved in decisions based on numbers and scientific data.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Question
Clarifies details about lateral flow tests and asks for lead time in turning a country into a red list country.
Minister reply
States that Department of Health and Social Care will set out more details on how lateral flow tests are to be taken. Advises caution regarding immediate changes due to uncertainty with the virus but hopes for a more sustainable footing.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
A constituent has experienced poor conditions in quarantine hotels, including rats in his room. The cost of such experiences should not be borne by the affected individuals.
Minister reply
The hotel conditions are unacceptable and will be investigated. People should avoid travelling from red-list countries unless it is for a very good reason.
Question
Two cases are discussed: one involving individuals vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson in South Africa, and another participating in the Novavax vaccine trial. Will they be able to travel without self-isolating?
Minister reply
People vaccinated abroad will be recognised based on criteria set by the UK government; participants in vaccine trials will not be disadvantaged.
Imran Hussain
Lab
Bradford East
Question
Criticism of keeping Pakistan and Bangladesh on the red list for longer is raised. Requests an inquiry into medical exemptions that were denied, putting constituents at risk.
Minister reply
Decisions are based on scientific evidence; accusations of political bias against medical professionals are unjustified.
Question
The high costs of PCR tests have prevented families from taking holidays. What measures will be in place for the half-term holiday and how much will lateral flow testing cost?
Minister reply
Lateral flow test costs are expected to be lower; a competitive market will further reduce prices.
Question
The aviation sector is concerned about survival in the winter, with British Airways and easyJet flying fewer flights than competitors. What steps will be taken to support upskilling and retraining of staff?
Minister reply
Simplifying travel requirements through vaccinations will help the industry recover; pressure needs to be put on Scotland for aviation companies to benefit from vaccination programmes.
Question
Praise for providing detailed scientific explanations for keeping Pakistan on the red list and thanks for its removal. Will this reflect efforts of both countries to enable safe travel?
Minister reply
The intergovernmental working group helped overcome issues, reflecting mutual efforts in enabling safe travel.
Gerald Jones
Lab
Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Question
Difficulty for constituents who received vaccinations abroad is impacting their travel and life. Will the government make more progress on recognising vaccines from other countries?
Minister reply
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is already recognising 50 countries' vaccines and will assist in bringing others onto the list.
Question
Welcomes the decision to remove Pakistan from the red list. Will work with industry to restore flights as soon as possible, despite some political criticism.
Minister reply
The government acted based on scientific evidence and will continue to support safe travel.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his very welcome statement. Opening up the United States of America is particularly good news for my constituents. Some grandparents have not been able to see their grandchildren for over a year, so it is good news. It could well provide the boost needed by the tourism sector. Will he confirm that vaccinated travellers will not have to go to the expense of a PCR test, and that if a test is needed, a lateral flow test will be sufficient?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman and he is absolutely right about the USA route. I have had many conversations and a lot of communication with my opposite number, Pete Buttigieg, the US Secretary of Transportation, in the US Cabinet. We have all wanted to work towards this point. It makes a very big and notable difference to the entire aviation sector, because so many routes are dependent on the US transatlantic route. To answer his question about the non-PCR, this will reduce the cost of a confirmatory PCR. I should mention that it is a devolved matter, so it will depend on the Northern Ireland Administration, but I have every reason to believe that we will all move in line, more or less, on this issue.
Question
I warmly welcome the simplification of international travel, which will help the industry to get back on its feet and protect jobs. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that there is no way back to burdensome restrictions?
Minister reply
As I said a few moments ago, we have learnt so much in this last year and a half. We have vaccinated so much in this last year and a half. Even in the last week or so, we have seen new therapeutics become available to people in hospital. We know how things like dexamethasone, which my father was given when he was in hospital—it probably saved his life—have made such a big contribution. These were all things that we did not know 18 months ago when we went into this crisis. I very much hope that my hon. Friend is right that we are on an upwards path to a higher trajectory and that we will not be going back.
Question
I listened to the hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Gavin Newlands) talk about the difference between the Scottish rules and our rules. My constituency is served by two nice north-eastern airports. I do not know whether to thank the Scottish for leaving things as they are, helping demand in our airports, or to complain because I do not want opportunities for our residents to be frustrated. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is so important that we remove any confusion where we can, and that the sooner the Scottish Government allow their residents to fly at the same time, the sooner we will all be in a better place?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Tempting as it would be, I am sure, for him to welcome all the extra business, in the end we are all better when we are together. As Edinburgh Airport said, the decision to diverge yet again and further curtail the recovery of Scotland’s aviation and travel industries is incredibly regrettable.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend and welcome this great news today: great news for people living in Runnymede and Weybridge; great news for businesses; great news for people who need to see their families; and great news on the reciprocal arrangements with the US. Of course, it is all about those reciprocal arrangements. I welcome his laying out a standard to go to other countries and say, “This is how we should do things.” Will he be promoting that with his Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office colleagues as the best way, so that we can truly usher in international safety standards?
Minister reply
Yes, we absolutely will. My hon. Friend is right to suggest that what we need is international standards through the International Civil Aviation Organisation, so that we are all working off roughly the same playbook. That is part of what we have been doing, and the House will be interested to hear that I will chair a further meeting of G7 Ministers later in the autumn to try to ensure that we spread an international approach to launching international travel.
Shadow Comment
Jim McMahon
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Secretary of State, Jim McMahon, welcomed the simplification of the international travel system but raised concerns over a lack of comprehensive country-by-country assessments. He highlighted the financial burden of testing requirements for British travellers, estimated at £1.1 billion over summer. McMahon also questioned the effectiveness of genomic sequencing for identified positive cases and the feasibility of implementing lateral flow tests post-travel by October half-term. Furthermore, he criticised the absence of a sectoral deal to support affected workers on furlough and urged the Secretary of State to provide clear communication and sustained industry support to safeguard jobs.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.