Context
The question addresses the recent threats to Eurostar's survival, with concerns raised by British business leaders and the Chair of the Transport Committee.
Question
What recent assessment he has made of the long-term viability of Eurostar. But the Minister knows that there has been a real threat to Eurostar's survival, and British business leaders and the Chair of the Transport Committee have all called for our Government to be part of the solution. Eurostar is not just a vital service; it contributes to our net zero agenda.
Answer from Robert Courts
The Department fully expects that Eurostar will continue to be a highly successful, profitable company carrying record numbers of passengers once international travel recovers. The Government welcome the recent announcements from the company and its shareholders and lenders regarding a new financing package. We will continue to engage with Eurostar fully to understand the company's position, but we would expect shareholders, including the majority shareholder SNCF—the French state-owned railway—to exhaust all options fully and play their full part.
Not addressed: The specific request about government loans and guarantees for air travel was not addressed directly.
How: But We Would Expect Shareholders To Exhaust All Options
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