Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with National Air Traffic Services on its decision to terminate the contracts of trainee air traffic controllers before they have completed their training.

Ministers have regular contact with NATS to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their business. We understand that the decision NATS have taken to place at risk the contracts of 122 trainees in their training college, whilst regrettable, has been carefully considered. NATS have committed to staying in contact with the trainees and looking for opportunities to restart their training as soon as possible.