Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

James Murray Excerpts
Thursday 2nd July 2020

(4 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness Keeley Portrait Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab)
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What steps he is taking to help ensure that the terms and conditions of workers in the aviation sector are protected during the covid-19 pandemic.

James Murray Portrait James Murray (Ealing North) (Lab/Co-op)
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What steps he is taking to help ensure that the terms and conditions of workers in the aviation sector are protected during the covid-19 pandemic.

Kelly Tolhurst Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Kelly Tolhurst)
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The Government remain committed to an open dialogue with the sector as we work towards our shared ambition of getting aviation up and running again. We encourage the industry and unions to engage constructively with each other.

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James Murray Portrait James Murray [V]
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A constituent of mine who started working for British Airways more than 20 years ago faces losing their job or being rehired on worse pay and terms than when they started work. BA needs to halt its plans and the Government have still not brought forward an aviation sector deal, as promised three months ago. Will the Minister therefore confirm when an aviation deal will finally be announced and whether any deal will both extend the job retention scheme for aviation workers and include firm conditions to help to protect jobs, firms and pay?

Kelly Tolhurst Portrait Kelly Tolhurst
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The Chancellor announced an unprecedented package of measures to support business and particularly the aviation sector. The Chancellor and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State have been clear that we stand ready to talk to and hear from businesses that need further support. Of course, my absolute sympathies are with everybody affected with regards to redundancies or any kind of change within their terms and conditions. It is absolutely right that those employees should be treated fairly, and I hope that the unions and BA continue to work together to come to a proper resolution.