Oral Answers to Questions

Kelly Tolhurst Excerpts

Monday 18th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD)]

What recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of British Airways on its planned restructuring.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Kelly Tolhurst) [V]]

The Department and I are working with airlines, airports and unions to understand the full impact that covid-19 is having on the sector and its workers.

[Munira Wilson [V]]

Many of my constituents are long-serving members of British Airways staff, yet they face redundancy or being stripped of their terms and conditions, despite BA furloughing some 23,000 staff. Does the Minister think that is responsible behaviour by Britain’s flag carrier? What pressure is she bringing to bear on the company? Will she guarantee that any bail-out will come with stringent and binding conditions on reducing carbon emissions?

[Kelly Tolhurst]

I understand that it is a worrying time for airline staff and their families. I have been speaking regularly with companies across the sector to encourage them to draw down on the unprecedented support package. Terms and conditions of employment are for negotiation between the employee and the employer, but we in the Department stand ready to support any workers affected.

[Mr Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) (Lab)]

What steps he is taking to support the Gosport ferry service.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Kelly Tolhurst) [V]]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, my officials and I are working with the company and the councils, alongside the extensive financial packages announced by the Chancellor.

[Mr Morgan [V]]

I thank the Minister for her reply. I know that when the Secretary of State met council leaders last week he spoke positively about the Government providing a package of support to secure the future of the ferry service. I look forward to the Department achieving that. The continuation of the Gosport ferry after this crisis is vital to the connectivity of communities along the south coast, but so too is tackling the climate crisis. As the fourth most congested city in the UK, Portsmouth faces some of the worst air pollution outside London. The Pompey Street Space campaign aims to give pedestrians and cyclists priority, widen narrow pavements and create commuter cycle routes to allow people to travel safely. What steps will the Department take to—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. We are going over to the Minister to answer.

[Kelly Tolhurst]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question, although I missed his last point. Absolutely, the Gosport ferry provides an important service for the local community to navigate their way around the peninsula. That is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I met the council leaders. We have spoken to the organisation, and my officials are working with the councils to find a suitable support package for the operator in order to maintain that service.

[Amy Callaghan (East Dunbartonshire) (SNP)]

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the future of the UK aviation sector.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Kelly Tolhurst) [V]]

We are working across Government and closely with the sector on establishing a clear vision and objectives for the recovery of the sector.

[Amy Callaghan [V]]

The day prior to the announcement of BA CityFlyer redundancies at Edinburgh airport, Willie Walsh gave evidence to the Transport Committee in which he did not mention that once. It is inconceivable that he was not aware of the announcement. Does the Minister share my frustration that that lack of transparency simply prevents Parliament from performing effective scrutiny?

[Kelly Tolhurst]

The aviation sector is so important for the UK economy, which is why it has been able to draw down on an unprecedented support package. The Department and I have set up a restart and recovery unit to work with industry, including unions, ground handlers, airlines and airports, in order to come up strong measures to aid the recovery and restart of the aviation sector.