Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amend the provisions of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 in relation to the contractual commitments of travel agents regarding the refunding of holiday and travel bookings; and, if they have any such plans, what steps they are taking to ensure that any such changes are not financially detrimental to consumers.

Under consumer law consumers are entitled to a refund within 14 days, depending on the nature of the contract in place. Many businesses are also offering consumers vouchers or alternative dates, which consumers are able to choose should they wish. The Government is engaging with the package travel sector and consumer advocacy bodies to assess the impact of cancellations made in light of the covid-19 outbreak. We recognise the extremely difficult circumstances travel agents are currently facing, which is why on 17 March the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a wide range of support for businesses, in addition to the £30bn support announced in the budget.