UK Border: Covid Protections Debate

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Department: Home Office

UK Border: Covid Protections

Wendy Chamberlain Excerpts
Tuesday 26th January 2021

(3 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Priti Patel Portrait Priti Patel
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My hon. Friend is, rightly, a strong advocate for his constituency and this important sector in his constituency. There have been certain limited and restricted exemptions, but I repeat that if he bears with us on this and has patience, he will find that announcements will come in due course. He is, however, right to highlight his constituency interest.

Wendy Chamberlain Portrait Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)
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As is the case in relation to any covid restriction, what businesses, operators and the public want and need is clarity, certainty and notice. So if the Government are going down the route of border closures, and I note what the Secretary of State has said already, will she provide an indication as to how long any restrictions are likely to last and provide reassurance that the Government will give support if this means no 2021 season for inbound tourism operators and their supply chains?

Priti Patel Portrait Priti Patel
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It is important at this stage to reflect upon the amount of support that the Government have put in to businesses throughout this pandemic. Of course the hon. Lady is right on certainty for businesses and others with regard to coronavirus restrictions. Nothing has changed on that, and of course we will work with all sectors, as we have done throughout this pandemic, when it comes to not only support, but giving them information up front.