People from across the industry have been writing to their MPs to call for an extension to the furlough scheme for the sector beyond 30 September, as well as tailored financial support to see travel through what is expected to be a tough winter.
Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has written to transport secretary Grant Shapps calling for “targeted support” for the industry as a way of “relieving the industry of the immense financial pressure it’s currently struggling under”.
“The industry representatives I have spoken to need their staff in their offices, able to respond to the rapidly changing international travel restrictions – both at home and abroad – and the customer decisions that inevitably follow,” said Olney.
“As I’m sure you can well appreciate, the shortfalls in revenue have been substantial, and many are having to seriously contemplate winding up their businesses.
“Many of the business owners I have spoken with have been grateful for their Cbils support, but fundamentally this have not proved sufficient to the scale of losses they’ve experienced. Additional government support is therefore imperative.”
Meanwhile Ben Spencer, Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, said he would “continue to lobby the government” on issues such as tailored financial support for travel and an extension of the furlough scheme for aviation.
“I will continue to make representations on behalf of the aviation, transport and travel industries, and the many jobs and businesses that rely on it, and sincerely hope that we can achieve an international travel system that is flexible enough to adapt to the ongoing global Covid pandemic without needing to stay closed,” added Spencer in a letter to TTG’s Emma Male.
But these calls from MPs may fall on deaf ears within government, as the Treasury has again ruled out a targeted extension of furlough for those sectors hardest hit by the pandemic, such as travel, and instead suggested they must trade their way out of the pandemic.
