Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to support British Airways employees that are at risk of redundancy; and what the timeframe is for the provision of that support.

The Department for Transport is in regular contact with airlines, airports and unions to understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on the sector and its workers. However, we do not comment on discussions held with individual companies, as this information is commercially sensitive.

The Government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation sector as a result of COVID-19. The aviation sector is important to the UK economy and will be able to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor and on May 12, the Government announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention scheme would be extended for four months, until the end of October. Until the end of July, there will be no change. From August to October, the scheme will continue for all sectors and regions of the UK, but with greater flexibility to support the transition back to work.

In response to COVID-19 the Department for Work and Pensions have established an alternative service to their usual face to face offer. People will be able to access redundancy help and job search advice on the Department’s new Job Help campaign website. There’s also information on Gov.uk and updated information packs provided to employers to help them signpost employees to the support that is available.