Travel agency bosses have reiterated pleas for sector-specific government support to protect jobs after the chancellor’s latest announcement again failed to recognise the industry’s position.
Rishi Sunak last week expanded the Job Support Scheme, which replaces furlough from November 1, to cover two-thirds of wages of staff working for firms “required to close their premises due to coronavirus restrictions” and to provide cash grants of up to £3,000 a month.
Incomes will be provided for workers in sectors such as pubs and restaurants that must close in tier‑three areas of the local lockdown measures announced by prime minister Boris Johnson on Monday.
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Agents said the revised scheme did not account for the loss of business the travel industry continues to face, as neither retail premises nor homeworking businesses will benefit.
They said travel remained “overlooked” for government support unlike sectors such as hospitality.
Miles Morgan, chairman of Miles Morgan Travel, said he was “disappointed” with the “incredibly frustrating” update to the Job Support Scheme.
“At some point, the government needs to recognise that some sectors are facing more pain than others.
“They don’t deem the travel industry as being shut down since March [yet] we still have to answer phones to our customers.
“I’ve given up hope of getting any help. The hospitality sector seems to have the ear of government and we undoubtedly do not.”
Neil Basnett, owner of Holiday Inspirations, has set up a meeting between his local MP, minister for business and industry Nadhim Zahawi, and local travel firm owners to discuss the lack of support for the outbound travel industry.
He added: “The travel industry has been overlooked by government, they are obsessed with the hospitality industry.”
Graeme Brett, owner of Westoe Travel and Abta’s regional chairman for the northeast, has written to the leaders of seven local councils to call for support to include travel sellers and “explain that shutting a shop means people won’t get refunds”.
He suggested Abta and consortia employ private lobbyists with access to the House of Commons to make the industry’s case, adding: “Hospitality had Eat Out to Help Out and now has wage support. Apart from initial grants, we’ve had no support at all.”
More: Chancellor’s Jobs Support Scheme ‘writes off’ travel industry
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