Huw Merriman MP reacts to England’s travel rules overhaul
17 September 2021
Reacting to the news that England’s travel rules on international travel are to be overhauled, the Chair of the Transport Committee, Huw Merriman MP, said:
“This news is welcome. The Transport Committee has been pushing for a rethink of the cumbersome travel rules for some time.
The Committee has called out confusing watchlists and quarantines; criticised the delay in reaping the benefit of the vaccine dividend and puzzled over the high costs and lack of sequencing of PCR tests. We note that using lateral flow tests may now incur a cost; it’s important that any alternative testing system is fairly priced and administered.
The need for caution is clear but with 80% of our country now vaccinated, UK travel needs a shot in the arm and this could be it. It’s a relief to see the Government move on these issues and this announcement, timed ahead of October half-term, could have an immediate impact on the UK’s travel industry.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, the UK had the largest aviation network in Europe and the third largest in the world. We’ve recently launched an inquiry into Airlines and Airports and how recovery of the aviation sector can be supported. We look forward to investigating the impact of these changes.”
On September 21 at 09.30, the Committee will hold the first evidence session of the Committee’s inquiry into Airlines and airports: supporting recovery in the UK aviation sector. MPs will question chief executives from Heathrow and Gatwick airports and chief commercial officers from British Airways and easyJet.
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