Javid hints at travel sector support if Omicron impact is prolonged
James ChappleHealth secretary Sajid Javid has insisted he does recognise the challenge the reintroduction of pre-departure testing poses the travel industry, and has promised an update next week – but has rejected suggestions UK government actions are wholly responsible for the sector’s struggles.
Javid said the government would have "much more data on the variant" by next week and stressed this would allow ministers to make a decision on whether travel restrictions can be eased, or if the government needs to look at further measures to support the industry.
His comments came in response to a question tabled by Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers, who spared time at the weekend to speak to north London agent Tara Hawkins after she took to the street outside her shop to protest the latest changes to the UK’s travel rules.
Hawkins, managing director of Authentic Villa Holidays, was joined by Haringey MP Catherine West at the demonstration on Sunday (5 December), which was held the day after Javid confirmed pre-departure testing would resume on Tuesday (7 December).
Following a call with Hawkins, Villiers duly raised the industry’s plight in the Commons on Monday (6 December). "The travel sector has been devastated by two years of Covid emergency," said Villiers. "It will have met with despair new, expensive testing requirements and a collapse in confidence among people who would otherwise be booking their holidays."
Addressing Javid directly, she asked: "What will we do to help the travel sector, and when will we get to a stage where we deal with Covid without having to damage such significantly important parts of our economy?"
Javid said Villiers was right to talk about the "particularly acute challenge" facing the travel sector, but played down the government’s role in this. "It has been hit hard not just by the measures that have been taken here at home but by the international measures that have been taken by so many countries, so it is not just about the UK-based decisions," said Javid.
The health secretary said the answer, and the prospect of any relief for travel, would rely on a "quick decision" on the threat posed by Omicron. "We will update the house and hopefully have much more data on the variant by next week," he continued.
"Hopefully, if that data is helpful, then pressures can be eased in the travel sector. Should it be less helpful for the travel sector, the government will have time to review what other measures they might be able to take to help."
Villiers wasn’t alone in challenging Javid on the new measures; Altrincham and Sale West MP Sir Graham Brady said the travel sector had been "devastated by uncertainty and constantly changing rules". He said that while he welcomed Javid’s insistence the measures would be temporary, it was vital government set out "in detail" the criteria it will use to decide whether the rules should be lifted, and when.
Javid said the impact of the curbs on the travel sector "should not be lost on anyone", adding that not only did the government recognise the "huge importance" to the economy of the travel industry, but also that it "has been hit hard again and again".
"Next week’s update – the review point – will be important to provide more certainty," said Javid. "We cannot guarantee we will have all the answers to our questions, but that information will certainly help to provide more certainty."
’Commitment’
Former transport secretary Chris Grayling, MP for Epsom and Ewell, said he echoed Villiers’ and Brady’s concerns about the impact of the new rules on the UK’s travel and aviation sectors. "It’s a real blow for them," he said.
"The secretary of state will remember back in June or July he took a decision to remove restrictions [on travel] in the face of heavy scientific advice. That decision was the right one. Will he give an undertaking this time round he will also face down the more conservative elements of the scientific community, do the right thing and keep the restrictions as minimal as possible?"
Javid replied: "I am happy to give that commitment. We were absolutely right, back at the start of the summer, to open up our country, including removing travel restrictions. That is one of the reasons, with regard to the dominant Delta variant, why the UK is in a much better position than many other European countries today."
Edmonton MP Kate Osamor, citing comments made by the Nigerian high commissioner to London, said continuing to inflict red list restrictions on African countries – with Nigeria the latest to have been added to the list – was creating "travel apartheid", adding it was time for an international approach to such restrictions rather than a "discriminatory" one.
Javid said government data had established 21 of the Omicron cases in England were "clearly linked" to Nigeria, adding the government had also taken into account reports from Ghana that it had 25 Omicron cases linked to Nigeria.
He added all the available information suggested the epicentre of the Omicron variant was in southern Africa at the moment.
James Chapple
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