Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department will offer people grants or loans to cover the cost of chartered flights to the UK so that cost will not be a barrier to repatriation.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides information on what to do and who to contact if you require financial assistance abroad (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-assistance-abroad/financial-assistance-abroad). We are helping to reduce travel costs by encouraging airlines to have maximum flexibility on changing return tickets. Where people are in real need, our consular teams will work with them to consider their options and, as a last resort, offer an emergency loan. Our consular team is working around the clock to provide support, advice and information. The situation is fast moving, and our advice at this time is for British nationals to secure safe accommodation and to speak to their tour operator, airline and insurance company to discuss the options available to them.