Oral Answers to Questions

Nigel Mills Excerpts

Monday 11th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)]

What steps he is taking to repatriate British nationals stranded overseas as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

[Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con)]

What steps he is taking to repatriate British nationals stranded overseas as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

[Mrs Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con)]

What diplomatic steps he is taking to help provide financial support to British nationals stranded overseas as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

--- Later in debate ---

[Dominic Raab]

We have, in the first instance, worked with insurance companies to make sure that they extend travel policies by 60 days when emergency support is needed. I can also tell the House that the Foreign Office has introduced a special package to make sure that those who are stranded and cannot get back can receive support with food, accommodation and other essentials of up to £3,000 for individuals, £4,000 for a couple, and £5,000 for families. That is a last-resort option, but we are making sure that those who are hunkered down or stranded and cannot get back have the support that they need.

[Nigel Mills [V]]

I commend my right hon. Friend’s Department for the efforts made to get people home, but can he update the House on progress in getting passengers and crew stranded on cruise ships home?

[Dominic Raab]

My hon. Friend raises an important point. In March, when the Foreign Office changed its travel advice to advise against people travelling on cruises, we had more than 19,000 British passengers aboard 60 cruise ships. I can tell him that they have all now been brought home safely. There is still an outstanding issue with a number of UK crew on cruise ships around the world, but we are working with operators such as Royal Caribbean and Costa Atlantica to make sure they can get back as soon as possible.