Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with British Airways about job retention.

The Department for Transport is in close contact with the aviation sector, ensuring that the Government is kept fully aware of the latest developments with all firms and to understand where additional policy measures could address specific industry issues.

British Airways is able to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor to protect jobs and incomes, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme covering 80% of furloughed employees’ usual monthly wage costs, up to £2,500 a month, alongside the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and pension contributions.

I and the Secretary of the State have met with both British Airways and IAG, and I continue to encourage BA and the unions to engage constructively with each other.