Flybmi

Tom Brake Excerpts

Monday 18th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Ms Ghani]

My hon. Friend makes three powerful arguments, and I agree with him. The Department, under my noble Friend the Aviation Minister, is undertaking the “Aviation 2050” consultation, which will no doubt reconfirm our commitment to regional airports.

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

This is clearly very bad news for staff and passengers. I know the Minister does not like mentioning the B-word—Brexit—but the fact is that Flybmi has said that Brexit uncertainty was a factor. Not the total reason but a factor, as it was for Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and, as we will no doubt find out shortly, Honda. Is it not time for the Prime Minister to do two things: one, rule out no deal; and, two, establish a Brexit redundancy fund to support businesses that have been put out of business as a result of Brexit?

[Ms Ghani]

If the right hon. Gentleman wants to rule out no deal, he should vote for the Prime Minister’s deal.