Aviation Sector Employment Covid-19 2020-12-03
2020-12-03
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussions regarding employment protections needed due to job losses and uncertainty in the aviation sector amid the pandemic.
What discussions has he had with Cabinet colleagues on employment protections for people working in the aviation industry during the COVID-19 outbreak?
The Government's comprehensive support package includes the coronavirus job retention scheme, which will now run until the end of March 2021.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any specific employment protections or discuss discussions with Cabinet colleagues about this topic.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns raised about job losses, especially at Rolls-Royce, despite government financial support. The situation calls for ensuring that such support translates into job protection.
Many constituents rely on jobs related to the aviation sector, and while welcome, there are concerns regarding conditionality of financial support, particularly among workers at Rolls-Royce. Will he work to ensure that any financial support is translated into job protection here in the UK?
The Government are acutely aware of the importance of highly skilled, dedicated employees in aerospace and are very much working to ensure as many jobs as possible can be protected. This includes looking to see that demand increases and we get people flying as soon as is safely possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions or commitments related to ensuring job protection through financial support conditionality.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
High concern over job losses and layoffs due to the collapse of the aviation industry's supply chain. Criticism for slow government response, such as the delay in launching a taskforce.
This year, I have watched close friends and constituents lose their jobs as the aviation industry has collapsed; yet it took until October for the Government to launch a taskforce. There is no sector-specific support deal, and silence from the Secretary of State during BA's fire-and-rehire tactics and Heathrow's current actions. When will the Government start taking real stand to save people's jobs?
In announcing the global travel taskforce, which went live on 15 December, the Government have acted extremely fast in ensuring a world-leading test and release system is introduced to support the aviation industry going forward.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address job-saving measures or direct commitments related to protecting jobs; instead focused on speed of taskforce announcement.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Disgraceful actions by British Airways, including firing and rehiring staff on reduced wages. Questioning why the Government has not stepped in with a sector-specific deal.
British Airways is a major employer in my constituency; yet its actions during this pandemic have been utterly disgraceful, including fire-and-rehire tactics. Why haven't the Government stepped in to do a sectoral deal and protect these jobs? What steps are being taken to ensure no more job losses?
I pay tribute to dedicated employees in the hon. Lady's constituency who work in the airline industry, but any redundancy is a commercial decision that we regret. I encourage employers to engage sensitively with their employees and unions to come to compromises wherever possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address steps being taken to prevent further job losses or provide specific protections for aviation workers beyond encouraging dialogue.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns over employment practices in the aviation sector, including fire-and-rehire tactics that have been criticized.
The aviation sector is a major employer in my constituency. In a recent debate, the Minister said absence of strict regulations about fire and rehire provides necessary flexibility. What are the Government proposing to bring forward to protect workers from the possibility of fire and rehire?
These matters are profoundly regretted by the Government, but remain commercial decisions. We engage closely with sector representatives including unions to find a way forward if possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not propose specific measures or regulations for protecting workers from fire-and-rehire practices; focused on engagement efforts.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
50 years since the introduction of legislation protecting disabled individuals; concerns about lack of meetings by the global travel taskforce and recommendations from the aviation industry.
It is 50 years since my predecessor introduced the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act. The Minister mentioned it on World Disability Day, but the global travel taskforce has hardly met and nobody in the aviation industry recommended the test-to-release scheme announced recently. Will he commit to setting a critical path so we can restore confidence in our world-class aviation industry?
The global travel taskforce has indeed met extensively, engaging in workshops with the industry and releasing a detailed report. This work continues as urged by the hon. Gentleman.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to setting a critical path or address specific steps for restoring confidence; focused on affirming taskforce activity.
Response accuracy