Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will allow ground handlers eligible for support under the Airport and Ground Operations Support scheme to use the grant for fixed costs as well as business rates relief; and if he will make a statement.

The Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS) opened for applications on 29 January to provide support for eligible commercial airports and ground handlers in England. It will provide support up to the equivalent of their business rates liabilities or COVID-19 losses – whichever is lower – in the 2020/21 financial year, subject to certain conditions and a cap per claimant of £8m.

Grant payments made to successful applicants can be applied toward costs which are essential to enable the operation of a commercial airport or ground handling operations and falls within the list of eligible expenditure. Payments are not limited to use on business rates cost only.