The MP for Warrington South Andy Carter has called on the Government to do more for the aviation and travel industry in light of recent announcements around the travel corridor list.
In a House of Commons debate this week the MP pushed the Aviation Minister Robert Courts to “engage” more with the sector, and to properly consider the “significant impact” that recent measures will have on businesses large and small.
Speaking in the Chamber, he said:
While we have clearly had to take tough measures on our international travel regime to stop the spread of the virus, it cannot be denied that businesses—both large and small—are being impacted as a consequence of these measures.
I thank colleagues in the Treasury and the Department for Transport for the work that they have done to support the sector to date, but the ongoing uncertainty means that there is a need for this support to continue.
The MP went on to say that the Government needs to “remind itself” that the industry contributes billions of pounds to our economy, supports thousands of jobs, strengthens the Union and develops skills nationally.
In Warrington, Manchester airport alone provides 3,500 jobs to local residents, and Liverpool airport, provides around 300 further jobs. This really is an important sector to the local economy. The airport provides those jobs directly and, through its supply chains, many businesses rely on the airport as a means of income.
The Government says it does not underestimate the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on our aviation, travel and tourism industries. A world-beating support package has been put in place, including £7 billion of support benefitting the air transport sector, and £25 billion for the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors has been put in place to support the industry. But the best way to support aviation, travel and tourism industries is to now ensure we continue our vaccine rollout, return life to normality and allow these industries to recover.
