← Back to House of Commons Debates
International Travel
07 September 2020
Lead MP
Grant Shapps
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 53
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:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The statement outlines the introduction of international travel corridors in June, which helped to keep infection rates lower. It mentions the establishment of the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) for assessing inbound travel risks from hundreds of territories. The minister announced a new islands policy based on robust and reliable data, allowing regionalised systems for certain regions with clear boundaries such as islands. He also mentioned that testing at borders is not yet feasible due to the low capture rate of asymptomatic carriers but quarantine combined with testing holds promise.
Grant Shapps
Con
Dover
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.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
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.
Grant Shapps
Con
Welwyn Hatfield
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.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
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.
Gavin Newlands
SNP
Paisley and Renfrewshire North
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.
Grant Shapps
Con
Hastings and Rye
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.
Nickie Aiken
Con
Cities of London and Westminster
Asked the Secretary of State to continue monitoring and consider removing more countries from the red list to welcome overseas visitors back safely.
Seema Malhotra
Lab/Co-op
Feltham and Heston
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.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton South
Asked the Secretary of State to continue reviewing the travel corridor list under constant scrutiny to allow safe travel.
Maria Eagle
Lab
Liverpool Garston
Described job losses at Liverpool airport, urged for sector-specific support in aviation until quarantine arrangements are established.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Welcomed the islands policy but asked about introducing a mandatory test seven days after returning from holidays.
Scott Benton
Con
Wansbeck
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.
Grant Shapps
Con
Haltemprice and Howden
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.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Glasgow South
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.
Simon Fell
Con
Bournemouth East
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.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
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.
Robert Halfon
Con
Harlow
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.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
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.
Aaron Bell
Con
Wrexham
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.
Alex Norris
Lab/Co-op
Nottingham North and Kimberley
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.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
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.
John Spellar
Lab
Halesowen and Rowley Regis
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.
Grant Shapps
Con
Welwyn Hatfield
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.
Felicity Buchan
Con
Southampton Itchen
Asked about the viability of Iceland's airport testing system in the UK context.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
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.
Jason McCartney
Con
Colne Valley
Asked the Secretary of State to introduce a testing regime that would support both aviation industry workers and holidaymakers, to which Grant Shapps agreed.
Tracy Brabin
Lab
Batley and Spen
Expressed concern over constituents worried about neighbours breaking quarantine rules in their area and asked for reassurance on protective measures against such illegal activities.
Andrew Selous
Con
South West Bedfordshire
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.
Cat Smith
Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
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.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
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.
Damian Green
Con
Ashford
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.
Martyn Day
SNP
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
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.
Bob Blackman
Con
Harrow East
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.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
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?
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
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.
Robert Syms
15:45:00
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.
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
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.
Marion Fellows
15:45:00
How concerned is the Secretary of State about other countries placing quarantine restrictions on the UK because of rising coronavirus infection?
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
Concerns are shared by everybody, and it remains a live issue. Following rules to prevent spreading the virus.
Mark Logan
15:45:00
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.
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
Absolutely joining the call to stay home during mandated quarantine periods to prevent spreading disease and risk of getting a criminal record.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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?
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
In close contact with opposite numbers in Northern Ireland, including as recently as today, to try to co-ordinate across the Union.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
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?
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
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.
Rupa Huq
Lab
Ealing Central and Acton
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.
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
Congratulating on shoehorning TfL into all this, noting that £1.6 billion has already been bailed out to TfL.
James Davies
15:45:00
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.
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
Working as four nations closely together, will continue to look for opportunities and ways to do that through information sharing to confuse people less.
Kevin Brennan
15:45:00
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?
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
Understanding the point about changeover date, will certainly be reflecting on this further.
Gareth Johnson
15:45:00
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?
Grant Shapps
15:45:00
Very happy with Rail Minister to have a meeting on concerns about closed stations until 2021.
Government Response
Government Response
During July and August, we did not have means to accurately assess risks within countries. However, as JBC resources strengthened, they were able to collaborate closely with other Governments and their health authorities. The minister announced a new islands policy based on robust data collection and four guiding principles for assessing risk in regions with clear boundaries such as islands. He stated that quarantine combined with testing is more promising but it could not be a pure test-on-arrival option. The Government has combined extensive information from various sources to implement travel corridors. Testing capacity is high in the UK compared to other countries, with daily tests exceeding a third of a million. The Secretary of State emphasises the need for proportionate testing measures beyond day zero and acknowledges ongoing work with industry to develop practical solutions. Defended government decisions, highlighted ongoing support for aviation sector despite challenges. Promised to work on testing solutions and return with more updates. The Government have provided substantial financial support through various schemes. Quarantine enforcement will be stepped up with phone calls and text messages to ensure compliance. Responded to multiple queries regarding aviation, travel regulations, and quarantine measures while emphasising the need for risk management balanced with public safety. He also mentioned plans to look into pre-quarantine measures suggested by constituents.
▸
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.