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Aviation, Travel and Tourism Industries
10 June 2021
Lead MP
Robert Courts
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyEmploymentBrexitCulture, Media & Sport
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
Robert Courts raised concerns about aviation, travel and tourism industries in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The aviation, travel and tourism sectors are an essential part of the UK's identity and economy. Before covid-19, the UK had the largest aviation market in Europe and the third largest globally, contributing £22 billion to GDP and directly providing around 230,000 jobs. Tourism contributes £75 billion each year to the nation’s economy with 4 million people employed in it. The Government understands the severe impact of covid-19 on these sectors and the House is united in wanting international travel reopened as soon as it is safe.
Eleanor Laing
Con
Nottingham North
Order, the debate will run until around 4 o’clock with a three-minute time limit for each speaker. The shadow Minister, Alex Sobel, is called next.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
The tourism sector has been let down by the Government’s lacklustre support during the pandemic. The hospitality industry, a major force in UK tourism worth £155 billion and responsible for over 3 million jobs, requires a flexible repayment scheme to tackle its debt burden without harming recovery. A staff crisis due to changes post-Brexit, workers returning home, and retrained furloughed workers poses another threat. The Government must address this shortage of workers. The tourism industry awaits a promised recovery plan; meanwhile, businesses wait for clarity on support measures and clear messaging regarding holidays abroad.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked the Minister about help for international travel businesses such as Laser Travel in his constituency offering tailored services. He requested existing furlough, self-employed support extended for a further six months and additional relief measures.
Graham Brady
Con
Altrincham and Sale West
Asked why the UK does not recognise foreign vaccination evidence for international travel like other countries do.
Karen Bradley
Con
Staffordshire Moorlands
Questioned about the promised green watch list system that was not used in Portugal’s case. She asked for an expansion on this matter.
Chris Grayling
Con
Richmond Park
Asked if destinations not placed on a green or amber list by 31 July cannot be reopened to travel before 31 October.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Stressed the importance of international travel for the economy, especially tourism. Criticised the UK Government's handling of the delta variant importation from India and highlighted delays in providing sector-specific support to aviation businesses compared to what was provided by the Scottish Government.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
A local tour operator in Tulip Siddiq's constituency has lost £1 million in revenue every three weeks due to travel restrictions. The company has struggled with accessing support from the Government, including business rates relief and council grants. It now faces repayments for a coronavirus business interruption loan scheme at a time when it cannot trade fully. Additionally, there is frustration among businesses over the lack of transparency and criteria behind travel ban decisions.
Chris Grayling
Con
Richmond Park
Calls for a less risk-averse approach to international travel recovery, with steps taken as quickly as possible. Criticises the Health Secretary's medium-term approach and demands clearer guidelines on when amber list countries can be moved to the green list. Proposes that people should be free to travel to amber list countries if they follow quarantine rules upon return.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Highlights the unique challenges faced by the aviation sector due to restrictions and international policies. Calls for a tailored recovery plan, extended furlough scheme to protect skilled workers from leaving, and urges the Government to outlaw 'fire and rehire' practices in the industry.
Graham Brady
Con
Altrincham and Sale West
The aviation sector has always been a British success story, contributing £200 billion annually and generating £4 billion in tax revenue. Over 1 million jobs are supported by this sector. The Government's current approach is damaging to both businesses and individuals who rely on international travel. A clear roadmap for a safe return to international travel is needed.
Yvonne Fovargue
Lab
Makerfield
The decision to remove Portugal from the green list without a watchlist has exacerbated problems for the aviation industry and consumers. The airport and ground operations support scheme of £8 million per airport is insufficient, and loans only defer the problem as travel restarts are delayed. Vaccination was meant to be key but now there's no clarity on covid passports or travel taskforces between the USA and UK. The Government needs to focus on providing clear consumer protections.
Stephen Hammond
Con
Broadstairs
The aviation sector has not received specific support like retail and hospitality through schemes such as the furlough scheme. There is a need for grants and support, given that business travel management companies have seen revenue collapse by 88% since pre-pandemic levels. International travel must be reopened using a risk-based system recognising vaccination status.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Scotland's tourism industry can benefit from golf courses like the one planned at Pitcalzean near Invergordon. Golf is sustainable and a strong product for attracting tourists, especially in areas where jobs are scarce. The Scottish Government must not hinder such projects.
Hayes and Harlington
The aviation sector may take until 2023-2025 to recover from the crisis, and up to 17,000 jobs could be lost. A concrete recovery strategy is needed with job support schemes specifically designed for this sector. Recovery must also be green but just, providing workers with training and expertise for a lower emission sector or enabling them to shift into other industries. Support is also necessary for local economic strategies in airport communities, and the 'growth at all costs' mantra must end.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Ministers have not provided clarity on border policies or support to save jobs threatened by travel restrictions. Luton airport is a foundation of my constituency's economy, and we need a clear roadmap for recovery now. The Government must improve their communication with the sector, and provide financial support to protect jobs from fire and rehire practices. A just transition is needed, protecting workers' rights and interests.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bewley
The Government is being overly cautious about the aviation and travel industry recovery, despite the success of the vaccine roll-out. The Prime Minister needs to set out clear milestones for reopening based on data rather than an unknown risk. Over 5,000 jobs have been lost in this sector since February 2020. Additionally, resources need to be allocated to ensure safe passage through airports.
John Nicolson
SNP
Nairn, Highland and Badenoch
Tourism is crucial for Scotland's economy; the pandemic has severely impacted this sector. The UK Government's support for airlines pales in comparison to that of European rivals like France and Germany. Despite endorsing climate change initiatives, the Prime Minister’s actions are inconsistent with his words on environmental issues. Suggests a greener approach with environmental conditions attached to airline assistance.
Karen Bradley
Con
Staffordshire Moorlands
Celebrates the success of the UK's vaccine programme and its positive impact on reopening businesses such as sports stadiums in the US. Emphasises that life is about more than essentials; it includes activities like tourism and visiting loved ones. Urges for full capacity reopenings without restrictions and a VAT cut extension to help struggling venues.
Simon Jupp
Con
East Devon
The aviation industry has faced significant challenges since the collapse of Flybe, leading to job losses. Despite a successful vaccination programme, international travel restrictions remain overly restrictive. The Government should consider extending the furlough scheme for specific sectors including aviation, extend business rates relief for airports, and support high street travel agents and language schools.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Residents of Lewisham East are significantly impacted by noise pollution from Heathrow and London City airport. The aviation industry's revival must prioritise addressing health impacts such as low-frequency aircraft noise which can cause distress, depression and suicidal feelings among residents.
Richard Drax
Con
South Dorset
There is no reason why travel restrictions cannot be lifted on 'freedom day' June 21st. The Government's stance on international travel is causing significant harm to the aviation industry, with half its staff still furloughed and 1.5 million jobs at risk. Countries like Spain and France are opening up faster despite weaker vaccination programmes.
Neale Hanvey
SNP
Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
Echoes concerns raised about the aviation industry, particularly focusing on travel agencies. He mentions specific examples like Bruce Lamond's Travel Your World in Scotland, highlighting significant financial difficulties faced by these businesses due to lack of income since March 2020 and no support from government grants compared to other retailers.
North Cotswolds
Highlights the importance of tourism for job creation in his constituency, noting a 76% decline in inbound tourism last year. He urges the Government to provide clearer notice on changes within the traffic light system and expresses concern over job losses if businesses are not allowed to operate post-June 21st. Calls for a full unlocking of restrictions by June 21st and adding more countries to the green travel list.
Andrew Selous
Con
South West Bedfordshire
Critiques the lack of clarity on how vaccine roll-out will help reopen international travel. He highlights specific challenges faced by London Luton airport and travel agents, mentioning limited company directors' ineligibility for self-employed income support schemes. Calls for fairer restart grant scheme treatment and extension of furlough payments.
Margaret Ferrier
SNP
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Focuses on the crisis facing business travel industry, noting a collapse in revenue up to 90% for travel management companies. She highlights these companies' importance in large-scale business travel and their contribution to airline stability. Urges the Government to include priority business travel destinations on green travel list and extend job retention scheme.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
The aviation and tourism sectors have faced devastating impacts due to the pandemic. Manchester Airport alone supports over 67,000 jobs in Greater Manchester, but Government support has been inadequate compared to other European nations.
Called for urgent action to revive the cruise industry, which contributes £10 billion annually and supports nearly 90,000 jobs. The speaker highlighted that domestic cruising had resumed but international cruising remained restricted by the Foreign Office's country-based travel advice system.
Emphasised the importance of aviation for local economies, providing thousands of jobs in Warrington South and contributing significantly to national skills development. The speaker urged for continued support from the Government and clarity to help rebuild confidence across the travel sector.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
The debate addresses the reopening of international travel, emphasising the importance of clarity in government messaging to support the aviation and tourism industries. Jardine highlights that her constituency is economically linked to these sectors which contribute more than £1 billion annually to Scotland's economy. She calls for a safe and sustainable return to international travel while prioritising public health and safety.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Spencer underscores the historical significance of aviation in his constituency, drawing attention to the economic impact on jobs and businesses. He calls for clarity from the Government on how they will evolve travel restrictions using the success of their vaccination programme as a foundation. Spencer urges the Minister to lead international efforts towards vaccination passports or other measures necessary for reopening borders.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Sobel acknowledges the unified support across parties for opening up travel but criticises delays in sector-specific support. He emphasises the need for immediate implementation of a tourism recovery plan, worker retention programmes, enhanced consumer protection measures, and the inclusion of business travel in recovery efforts. Sobel also calls for conditional support for aviation towards net-zero emissions goals.
Robert Courts
Con
Wantage
Emphasised the critical importance of aviation, travel and tourism for jobs, economic support, cultural exchange and personal well-being. Highlighted contributions from various Members including Henry Smith's advocacy for Gatwick airport and Christine Lagarde's praise for the Government’s response as 'unprecedented' and extensive. Mentioned ongoing work with international partners such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation and vaccine-driven efforts to open up travel.
Shadow Response
Alex Sobel
Shadow Response
The tourism sector has been let down by the Government’s lacklustre support during the pandemic. The hospitality industry, a major force in UK tourism worth £155 billion and responsible for over 3 million jobs, requires a flexible repayment scheme to tackle its debt burden without harming recovery. A staff crisis due to changes post-Brexit, workers returning home, and retrained furloughed workers poses another threat. The Government must address this shortage of workers.
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Assessment & feedback
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