Oral Answers to Questions

Rachel Hopkins Excerpts

Wednesday 8th July 2020 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I thank my hon. Friend for an apposite question, because the Health Secretary has committed not just to building 40 new hospitals, but to visiting Doncaster very shortly to discuss investment in healthcare there.

[Rachel Hopkins (Luton South) (Lab)]

Luton airport provides direct funding to Luton Borough Council and many local charities in my constituency, but covid-19 has had a huge impact on that commercial and charitable income. Without urgent Government action, Luton council will be forced into making £22 million of in-year cuts next week. I have raised this issue repeatedly in Parliament on behalf of the thousands of Lutonians. Will the Prime Minister meet me to discuss how emergency funding for Luton council would save crucial local services and the jobs of hundreds of key workers?

[The Prime Minister]

The hon. Lady raises a very important issue. The aviation industry has been very hard hit. We are supporting the sector in all kinds of ways, not just by supporting employees, but through the time-to-pay scheme and loans from the Bank of England and the Government to aviation. Of course, we are supporting local councils as well with billions of pounds—£3.2 billion. The most important thing is to get a medium and long-term solution that enables airlines to start flying again, so that Luton council can get the revenue it needs. I perfectly understand and support the points she makes.