Parliamentarians call for new Prime Minister to back UK aviation and tourism to boost recovery
A cross party group of parliamentarians have today written to the Prime Minister calling for the new administration to back UK aviation, travel and tourism as it continues to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
The letter, which was organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Future of Aviation, calls for the Prime Minister to put in place support for the sector to help it tackle current challenges and boost its recovery. It specifically calls for the Government to:
Give specific responsibility for overseeing the cross-government approach to international travel policy to an individual Minister
Introduce minimum staffing levels for Border Force at UK airports
Confirm commitment to the Jet Zero Strategy and put in place levels of price stability to attract investment and new entrants to the market
Work with partners to create an international travel toolkit to be prepared for future crises
Work with industry to put in place a long-term skills strategy to support jobs in aviation, travel, tourism and sustainable aviation
Alongside Henry Smith MP, Chair of the APPG for the Future of Aviation the letter has been signed by over 50 parliamentarians including former Ministers Stephen Crabb MP and Mims Davies MP.
Commenting Henry Smith MP said
“Whilst our aviation, travel and tourism sectors have had a good summer season, we must be under no illusion that they are fully recovered from the impacts of the last two years.
“As an island nation, our aviation industry is one of the key drivers of our economy and a fully recovered and fighting fit industry will be vital as the new Government looks to tackle the challenges ahead.
“It is crucial that the Prime Minister makes backing these industries a key part of her agenda and supports them as they continue their journey to a full recovery. This includes support for a challenging winter season ahead but also recommitting and redoubling our efforts to support the sector’s transition to net zero.
“Our aviation, travel and tourism industries were amongst the worst affected and the last to see Covid restrictions removed. We must build on the progress made over the summer and support these industries in the months and years ahead as a part of a vision for a truly global Britain.”
A copy of the letter and signatories is below:
Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP
Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA
06/092022
Dear Prime Minister,
Congratulations on your appointment. We are writing to you as a group of cross-party parliamentarians to urge you to make the continued recovery of the UK’s aviation, travel and tourism sectors a priority for the new Government.
As you will know, our aviation and travel industry is a key driver of economic growth contributing £92 billion to the UK economy pre-pandemic and connects families across the globe as well as providing much needed holidays and cultural experiences.
During Covid-19, these industries were amongst the most affected with passenger numbers falling to historically low levels, with aviation grounded and then hit by continuing and changing restrictions. As these businesses were among the first hit and last to have restrictions lifted, the consequences of the pandemic continue to be felt and hold back both aviation’s recovery and our economic recovery.
The summer travel season has shown positive signs of recovery, with strong passenger numbers, families enjoying much needed breaks, and avoiding the challenges previously seen during the Easter holiday period. However, it is vital that the Government build on this progress and ensure we have a fully recovered and vibrant aviation and travel industry without which the ambitions of Global Britain, namely championing our values, reinvesting our global relationships, and maximising trade opportunities on the world stage, will all remain effectively grounded.
We urge you to provide the following support to provide the sector with the support that it needs to tackle the current challenges and boost its recovery:
Give specific responsibility for overseeing the cross-government approach to international travel policy to an individual Minister
Introduce minimum staffing levels for Border Force at UK airports
Confirm commitment to the Jet Zero Strategy and put in place levels of price stability to attract investment and new entrants to the market
Work with partners to create an international travel toolkit to be prepared for future crises
Work with industry to put in place a long-term skills strategy to support jobs in aviation, travel, tourism, and sustainable aviation
We look forward to discussing these issues further with your Ministerial team and on how the Government can work more closely with the aviation, travel, and tourism sectors to support this vital sector moving forward.
Yours Sincerely
Henry Smith MP for Crawley - Conservative
Pauline Latham MP for Mid Derbyshire - Conservative
Richard Thomson MP for Gordon - SNP
Margaret Ferrier MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West - Independent
Sir Roger Gale MP for North Thanet - Conservative
Tim Loughton MP for East Worthing and Shoreham - Conservative
Ian Paisley MP for North Antrim - DUP
Christine Jardine MP for Edinburgh West - Liberal Democrat
Allan Dorans MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock - SNP
Nick Fletcher MP for Don Valley - Conservative
Emma Lewell-Buck MP for South Shields - Labour
Ben Bradshaw MP for Exeter - Labour
Jonathan Lord MP for Woking - Conservative
Richard Drax MP for South Dorset - Conservative
Dr Philippa Whitford MP for Central Ayrshire - SNP
Dr Stephen Farry MP for North Down - Alliance Party
Sir Peter Bottomley MP for Worthing West - Conservative
Stephen Crabb MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire - Conservative
Mims Davies MP for Mid Sussex - Conservative
Rob Roberts MP for Delyn - Independent
John Spellar MP for Warley - Labour
Sarah Champion MP for Rotherham - Labour
Michael Fabricant MP for Lichfield - Conservative
Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton - Conservative
Andrew Rosindell MP for Romford - Conservative
Gary Sambrook MP for Birmingham, Northfield - Conservative
Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun - SNP
Caroline Ansell MP for Eastbourne - Conservative
Patricia Gibson MP for North Ayrshire and Arran - SNP
Wera Hobhouse MP for Bath - Liberal Democrat
Valerie Vaz MP for Walsall South – Labour
Lord Gilbert of Panteg - Conservative
Lord Goddard of Stockport - Liberal Democrat
Lord Eames - Crossbench
Lord Truscott - Independent
Lord Browne of Belmont - Democratic Unionist Party
Lord Balfe - Conservative
Lord Northbrook - Conservative
Baroness Harris of Richmond - Liberal Democrat
Lord Fink - Conservative
Baroness Goudie - Labour
Lord Campbell of Pittenweem - Liberal Democrat
Lord Dholakia - Liberal Democrat
Baroness Doocey - Liberal Democrat
Lord Haworth - Labour
Baroness Neville-Jones - Conservative
Baroness Altmann - Conservative
Lord Loomba - Liberal Democrat
Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick - Labour
Baroness Foster of Oxton - Conservative
Baroness Masham of Ilton - Crossbench
Baroness Verma - Conservative
Baroness Eaton - Conservative
Lord Blunkett - Labour