Johnson: Govt 'actively looking' at BA job cuts

His comments came when questioned by MPs over his handling of the coronavirus crisis during a liaison committee hearing on Wednesday (27 May).

When asked why the government’s furlough initiative was called the Job Retention Scheme when certain companies - including British Airways - had furloughed staff only to later announce redundancy plans, Johnson voiced his concerns.

"I am concerned about the way some companies are treating their workforce and you’re raising a very important point. This country is nothing without its workforce and we’ve got to look after people properly.

"People should not be using furlough to cynically keep people on their books and then get rid of them."

When pushed on BA’s actions specifically, the prime minister added: "I’m aware of this issue and we’re actively looking at what we can do".

IAG boss Willie Walsh was blasted by MPs earlier this month over plans to make up to 12,000 BA staff redundant while the group has access to €10 billion of funds.

Walsh told parliament’s transport select committee on 11 May that BA’s restructuring is "solely driven by the fact we are in the deepest downturn the aviation industry has ever seen. I don’t think I need to hide the scale of it."

He said the amount of flying BA would do in the next few years would be significantly reduced and so, consequently, would be the number of staff needed.