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Backbench Business - Aviation SectorBackbench Business
10 September 2020
Lead MP
Huw Merriman
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationEmploymentNorthern IrelandBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 49
At a Glance
Huw Merriman raised concerns about backbench business - aviation sectorbackbench business 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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The hon. Member for Wealden raised concerns about the impact of the pandemic on the UK's aviation industry, highlighting that it is the third largest in the world and worth £28 billion to the UK economy, directly employing 230,000 people and creating an additional 4.7 jobs per employee through the supply chain or passenger experience. He noted a 97% drop in passenger numbers compared to April last year, leading to significant financial losses for airports and the need for further government support beyond existing measures like the furlough scheme and business rate cessations. Merriman called for an extension of the furlough scheme for aviation, complete cessation of air passenger duty for a period, testing exemptions during quarantine periods, and incentives for greener aviation practices.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
The hon. Member for Brentford and Isleworth highlighted the broader economic impacts of job losses in the aviation sector on local communities and suggested that specific short-term area-based support should be considered by the Government.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Member for Strangford emphasised the importance of a meaningful sector-specific programme for aerospace to address long-standing productivity and skills development challenges in Northern Ireland, advocating for collaboration across regions.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Sussex Weald
The hon. Member for Sussex Weald advocated for closer Government cooperation with airports like Gatwick and Heathrow to explore testing and screening measures that could help the aviation sector recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
The hon. Member for Nottingham South argued that any government support for the aviation industry should come with conditions to protect workers and reduce emissions, in line with recommendations from Climate Assembly UK.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Emphasised the importance of companies treating their staff well if they aspire to be premium brands. He criticised British Airways for its proposed terms for staff, including furlough without pay, and called on the new chief executive to do the right thing.
Erith and Thamesmead
Called for a debate on the future of the aviation sector due to job losses and economic impact. She highlighted that 1.6 million jobs are supported by the aviation industry, which saw passenger numbers drop by 97% during the pandemic, requiring specific support from the Government. Abena expressed concern over British Airways' plans to cut 12,000 jobs and cited other companies making redundancies. She urged the Government to offer a bail-out package and work with unions to protect jobs and tackle climate change.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
Supported Abena Oppong-Asare's argument, highlighting job threats in south Wales due to British Airways' redundancy plans. He called for the Government to offer support to young people training at Cardiff and Vale College for future careers in aerospace and green aviation.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Highlighted the importance of revenue streams from Luton airport into local authorities and voluntary organisations, echoing Abena Oppong-Asare's point about jobs at risk due to aviation industry issues.
Theresa May
Con
Maidenhead
Welcomes debate on aviation sector's importance but criticises government delay in addressing issues. Emphasises the need for trials of testing to mitigate economic impact and support job creation.
Wayne David
Lab
Caerphilly
Highlights impacts on General Electric Aviation Wales with 369 jobs lost, urging immediate government support through extension of furlough scheme and comprehensive support package for the aviation industry.
Chris Grayling
Con
Richmond Park
Supports testing to revive short-haul and transatlantic flights. Urges pragmatic approach towards regulatory regime and airport taxes given reduced operations due to government restrictions.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Emphasised the vulnerability of aerospace supply chains, particularly highlighting Gardner Aerospace in his constituency at risk of significant job losses.
Chris Grayling
Con
Epsom and Ewell
Discussed the importance of the manufacturing businesses supporting the UK’s aerospace sector. Highlighted the Government's ability to influence recovery through procurement decisions, especially for military and civil equipment. Stressed the need for a green recovery approach in aviation.
Maria Eagle
Lab
Liverpool Garston
Discussed the impact of the crisis on Liverpool John Lennon airport, including job losses at various companies like easyJet and Swissport, and stressed the need for sector-specific support and continuation of furlough schemes.
Paul Maynard
Lib Dem
Preston
Addressed issues such as the high turnover in aviation ministership, called for pre-departure testing measures to reduce virus transmission on planes, and advocated for quicker action from the Government regarding regional airports.
Paul Howell
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Discussed the importance of Teesside International Airport in his constituency, praised the recent investment there, and emphasised the need for appropriate support to ensure connectivity that drives investment and facilitates recovery.
Sara Britcliffe
Con
Penistone and Stocksbridge
Expressed concern over job offshoring by Rolls-Royce in Barnoldswick, highlighting the risk of losing local skills bases permanently.
John Howell
Con
Henley
Agrees that efforts are needed to retain key industries and jobs during the covid-19 crisis. Recommends investment in sustainable aviation fuels, testing technology on planes, business rates relief, employment costs support beyond job retention scheme, funding for Civil Aviation Authority, suspension of air passenger duty, and support for low-carbon aviation technologies.
Henry Smith
Con
Crawley
Congratulates colleagues on securing the debate. Stresses the importance of testing arrivals for covid-19 to regain public health confidence and increase travel rates. Proposes an extension of furlough until March 2021, business rates relief, reduction or scrapping of air passenger duty, and investment in sustainable aviation fuels.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Supports the point that the impact affects the entire supply chain from companies like Avtrade to baggage handling services. Emphasises the importance of a comprehensive recovery plan for aviation industry.
Emma Lewell-Buck
Lab
South Shields
Critiques British Airways' treatment of its employees during the crisis, highlighting toxic bullying and mental anguish faced by long-standing employees. Questions why travel corridors are not region-specific in other countries while Britain applies them nationally.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North East Fife
Supports the Labour member's intervention regarding British Airways' practices and calls for government support of Employment (Dismissal and Re-employment) Bill to prevent such fire-and-rehire practices.
Simon Jupp
Con
St Ives
Welcomes reports on comprehensive testing at UK airports but emphasises the need for a more timely aviation recovery plan addressing the crisis. Acknowledges the Government's efforts in setting up unprecedented support to protect jobs.
Steve Double
Con
St Austell and Newquay
Agrees that regional airports will play a vital role in delivering on the Government’s levelling-up agenda and stresses the importance of not losing them for future investments.
Simon Jupp
Con
East Devon
Discussed the collapse of Flybe and its impact on regional connectivity. Emphasised the importance of reviewing air passenger duty to ensure a fair playing field for regional airlines.
Seema Malhotra
Lab Co-op
Feltham and Heston
Congratulated Abena Oppong-Asare on securing the debate. Highlighted the need for urgent action to support west London's aviation sector, recommending flexible furlough extensions, business rates deferral, reduced quarantine through increased testing, slot waiver review, and investment for growth.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Suggested the government provide funding to retain skills and support businesses until next year. Emphasised the need to mitigate redundancies by retaining employees' wages through government assistance.
Expressed disappointment over the lack of tailored support for furlough, urging the government to provide such support before November when it could be too late.
Peter Gibson
Con
Bishop Auckland
Praised the work of the Tees Valley Mayor in saving Teesside International Airport. Advocated for regional airport connectivity and the importance of reviewing air passenger duty to support regional growth.
Mick Whitley
Lab
Birkenhead
The north-west aerospace cluster is the largest in the country, contributing more than £7 billion to the UK economy and employing thousands of people. The industry faces unprecedented challenges and requires a comprehensive recovery strategy. Rolls-Royce employees at Barnoldswick are facing job losses due to operations being moved to Singapore, a decision I condemn as utterly shameful. British aerospace companies responded quickly during the pandemic but now face significant job cuts. Diversification into socially useful production is crucial for mitigating these losses.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Condemns British Airways' treatment of employees during the pandemic, accusing it of liquidating assets and moving its transnational base overseas. Calls for scrutiny on companies that retain high percentages of British employees to be rewarded with Heathrow landing slots. Supports further tax cuts and furloughing but warns against rewarding bad behaviour by exploitative companies.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Supports a private Member’s Bill aimed at banning fire-and-rehire policies used by British Airways. Calls on the Government to take practical steps in backing BA employees.
Asks for British Airways to commit to rehiring staff on their old terms once better economic times return, questioning the company's rationale that restructuring is solely due to the pandemic.
Proposes including an employment lawyer or judge in overseeing redundancies conducted by companies within the aviation sector to ensure fairness and parity of treatment across staff.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
Intervenes to ask Joy Morrissey why she is not willing to back a fire-and-rehire Bill, despite acknowledging British Airways' poor treatment of its employees.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Calls for Government intervention in the aerospace sector to preserve employment. Acknowledges Ryanair's efforts in negotiating with unions compared to British Airways' exploitative practices, including firing and rehiring staff on inferior terms despite receiving government support.
Sam Tarry
Lab
Ilford North
Supports Ian Byrne's call for action against British Airways, suggesting the Government should look at slot regulations to ensure social responsibility and internal investment. Proposes stripping BA of its right to have a British livery on planes unless it treats staff decently.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Encourages support for runway extension at Southampton airport to enable greener travel, suggesting it is needed for the airport’s survival and aligns with Jet Zero goals. Calls on Eastleigh Borough Council or Government to issue a special development order if council does not act.
Steve Brine
Con
Winchester
Reaffirms support for runway extension at Southampton airport, emphasising the need for noise-preferred routes and mutual support between airport and neighbouring constituencies. Criticises British Airways but looks forward to Government response on Jet Zero goals.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Urges immediate action by Under-Secretary of State for Transport to protect jobs in Luton and support the airline industry. Criticises mixed messages from Government and calls for clear, sector-specific support including furlough extension, testing capacity, track and trace, international cooperation.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Highlights the importance of increased testing capability to restart aviation. Criticises British Airways' treatment of workers despite company’s financial health and calls for a more responsible approach towards taxpayers’ money.
Supports the view that EY and the Government have been neglectful towards the Flybe workforce, arguing for full entitlement to job retention schemes.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Reiterates criticism of government inaction on aviation support; calls for extension of business rates relief to aviation businesses, highlighting the Scottish Government's provision of such relief.
Sarah Olney
Lib Dem
Richmond Park
Asks Gavin Newlands a question but does not provide a full contribution in the provided text.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
Discusses airline customer refunds, criticises airlines for evading legal responsibilities, calls for transparency measures to prevent disreputable management tactics. Emphasises the impact of job losses in aviation on local economies.
Highlights job losses at Prestwich aerospace cluster and urges government investment in sustainable technologies and extensions to furlough schemes, comparing UK's lack of support with other European nations' extended assistance.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West
McMahon voiced concerns over job cuts at airlines such as easyJet, British Airways, Ryanair, Virgin Atlantic, and through supply chains in south Wales. He also criticised the lack of business rates relief for airports compared to Scotland and Northern Ireland, calling on the Government to consider all options and ensure local authorities are compensated. He stressed the importance of a coherent plan from the new Transport Minister to address ongoing issues and prevent further job losses.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Congratulated the Minister on his position and requested a meeting to discuss the importance of the aerospace industry in Northern Ireland.
Emma Lewell-Buck
Lab
South Shields
Asked the Minister for information but was not given way due to time constraints.
Government Response
The Government has provided unprecedented financial support including £1.8 billion through the Bank of England’s corporate financing facility, £283 million from the job retention scheme, and additional measures such as safer air travel guidance, connectivity between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, protection for consumers via the air travel trust fund, and ongoing work to establish testing approaches to support sector recovery. The Minister also highlighted efforts to protect jobs in affected constituencies.
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