Trips abroad should be protected in future pandemics, MPs urged, describing UK-imposed Covid restrictions government as confusing, arbitrary and disproportionate.
The Commons Transportation Selection Committee stated that government should learn from the coronavirus pandemic to create a predictable and transparent system for future public health crises to support travelers and the aviation industry.
AT critical report, he said curbs on overseas travel during the pandemic was “disproportionate to the risks to public health”.
Cross-party the committee said restrictions should be comparable to those applied domestically, and international travel should don’t be singled out out”.
The report concludes that “decision- the creation process was not transparent or consistent, nor based on scientific consensus,” as a result in rules that caused “severe financial shock to the industry.
The committee also criticized ministers for disclaiming all responsibility for the queues, cancellations and delays seen this Easter as airlines and airports struggled to recruit staff in time for revival in passenger demand after a sudden rise of all Covid isolation and testing requirements.
He said government tried to accuse on an aviation sector decimated by restrictions and lack of of confidence offered by the ministers”, but should review own recruitment and training processes. Airlines and airports complained of delays in government security checks for job applicants.
Committee Chairman Hugh Merriman said: “Government action has been inconsistent. This is left industry and passengers are confused and unable to plan ahead. This led in severe economic deficit for aviation sector.
“Ministers should get on with sector protection against future economic turmoil and reassuring passengers who future restrictions will only apply in extreme circumstances. Law urgently needed give industry more flexibility in set new staff for summer to give regulator more teeth to intervene on on behalf of of consumers and provide protection from the insolvency of airlines.
He added: First of all, we want ministers should be transparent with industry and passengers. At Easter we witnessed the sector in early stages of recovery and vulnerable to destruction. Growth in demand reassuring, but steady and supportive approach from outside government it is vital to take care of the sector back to recovery”.
The report calls for measures, including the publication of the promised aviation recovery plan; the introduction of an airline insolvency bill to protect consumers, employees and taxpayers; and regulator feed more the power to fine airlines for not refund customers when required.
The Airport Operators Association said the report was a “welcome acknowledgment”. of the devastating effects of the pandemic on aviation.” Its chief executive, Karen Dee, said: “We join the committee in call for comprehensive recovery package that allows our sector is recovering steadily and preventing the fall of the UK behind our international competitors”.
latest indictment of UK travel policy due to Covid follows critical Report of the State Audit Office last week that found central government lost track of expenses and made up rules on hoof – as well as avoiding the taxpayer on hook for around £400 million for quarantine hotels, which the ministers believe will be paid for for travelers.
Sign up on First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every weekday at 7am
Department for A transport spokesman said: “Our priority was to protect public health, and these measures have won vital time for deployment of our successful booster program as we responded to new and about options. But we also made sure they in place for no longer than absolutely necessary, and Britain was first the country in G7 lift all travel restrictions.
“AT future in government, the default approach would be to use least stringent measures to minimize the impact on travel as far as possible and they will only be realized in extraordinary circumstances.”
Source link
Author Adrian Ovalle
