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Britons advised to avoid any non-essential travel abroad for next 30 days – politics live Britons advised to avoid any non-essential travel abroad for next 30 days – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Rolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Rishi Sunak at the government’s daily coronavirus press conference and MPs questioning the government’s chief scientific adviserRolling coverage of the day’s political developments as they happen, including Rishi Sunak at the government’s daily coronavirus press conference and MPs questioning the government’s chief scientific adviser
Back to schools for a moment, and Gavin Williamson, the education secretary for England, says he does not want to close schools, despite the National Education Union call for schools to be shut. (See 11.50am). But he says he is suspending routine Ofsted inspections.
From my colleague Jennifer Rankin
Layla Moran, the Lib Dem MP, asks if the government will subsidise airline companies.
Raab says the government will work with the industry to see what support it can provide.
Mark Pritchard, a Conservative, asks if the Royal Navy or the Royal Air Force could be used to repatriate the most vulnerable.
Raab says that would be a last resort, but he says he is not ruling anything out.
Airlines UK, an industry body, has said that the Foreign Office’s decision to advise against all non-essential travel abroad will bring “more devastation” to airline companies. Commenting on the announcement, Tim Alderslade, its chief executive, said:
Labour’s Ben Bradshaw asks if the government will now agree to extend the Brexit transition in the light of the coronavirus crisis. Raab avoids the question, but he says the engagement that the Foreign Office has had with Cuba, over the Braemar cruise ship, shows that the government is working with other countries post-Brexit.
Raab says freight lorry drivers who are involved in supplying shops count as people engaged in essential travel.
Back in the Commons Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, says there are not just tens of thousands of Britons abroad, but hundreds of thousands. That is why people must be “realistic” about what the government can do to help them all, he says.
There have been 12 new coronavirus cases in Wales, according to Public Health Wales.
Richard Drax, a Conservative, says schools that have have to cancel trips will not get their money back unless the Foreign Office specifically advises against travel to a particular country.Richard Drax, a Conservative, says schools that have have to cancel trips will not get their money back unless the Foreign Office specifically advises against travel to a particular country.
Raab says the Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel globally. He suggests that should be clear enough for the insurance companies.Raab says the Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel globally. He suggests that should be clear enough for the insurance companies.
In her response to Dominic Raab a few minutes ago Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, cited the experience of a constituent called Tom, one of 65 Britons stuck in Peru, as evidence that consular staff were not doing enough to help people. She said:In her response to Dominic Raab a few minutes ago Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, cited the experience of a constituent called Tom, one of 65 Britons stuck in Peru, as evidence that consular staff were not doing enough to help people. She said:
She also said the government could not “pass the buck” on repatriation.She also said the government could not “pass the buck” on repatriation.
In the Commons Labour’s Hilary Benn asks in what circumstances the government would be willing to bring people home.
Raab says people should read the Foreign Office travel advice.
But he says the Foreign Office is also aware of the vulnerability of some people, like those on the Braemar cruise ship.
From the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg
In the Commons Labour’s Chris Bryant asks why Dominic Raab is warning that people may not be able to return to the UK in the future, but also not advising people who are abroad to come back home now.
Raab says these decisions are individual judgment calls that people will have to make for themselves.
As the Times’ Steven Swinford points out, Dominic Raab’s announcement makes the prospect of a bail-out for the aviation industry even more likely.
Here is more from the Foreign Office press notice about this announcement.
In the Commons Dominic Raab is now responding to questions posed by Emily Thornberry, his Labour shadow.
She asked what non-essential travel means. Raab says the Foreign Office leaves it up to individuals to decide. But he says the Foreign Office’s wish is for people not to travel.
He says the Foreign Office has a hotline for MPs who need more detailed information.
Raab says it would not be possible for the UK to be able to repatriate all Britons abroad, because there are so many of them.
He says the UK advice has been to follow the best expert advice.
Here is the Foreign Office press notice about this announcement.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, is making a statement to MPs about new travel advice.
He says for the next 30 days the government is advising against any non-essential travel globally.
He says this is partly because of the risk of people not being able to return, because so many countries are closing borders.
I have amended the post at 11.50am above to reflect the fact that the list of underlying health conditions that should lead to people effectively self-isolating, according to government advice, includes asthma and diabetes.