Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about Government financial assistance for airlines.
The aviation sector is important to the UK economy, and like other sectors of the economy it will be able to draw upon the unprecedented package of measures that the Chancellor has announced to support businesses through the coronavirus outbreak. He has written to airline operators advising them on the steps they could take if they come into financial difficulty.
The Chancellor has made clear that while the Government is willing to consider the situation of individual firms, airlines must in the first instance have exhausted all other methods of help before asking for the taxpayer to support them. These would include using the measures the Government has already announced, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which offers firms financial support to retain furloughed employees, and contacting existing investors to ask for additional capital.
I know the Government also remains committed to working closely with the industry to address aviation emissions, so that important climate change commitments can be met. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face, and I can assure you that I recognise the importance and urgency of public debate on this issue. I am pleased that the UK was the first major economy to legislate for a net zero target, which will end our contribution to climate change.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Mel Stride MP
MP for Central Devon
