Newlands: Protect airport staff

Transport and tourism workers based at Glasgow Airport must be safeguarded against loopholes in the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme, Gavin Newlands MP has said.

The MP for Renfrewshire North has backed travel workers in their campaign to secure UK Government support to save their jobs and those of thousands more.

The shadow transport secretary said more needed to be done to ensure everyone - regardless of their current job status - receives a guaranteed minimum income until the crisis ends.

“The Chancellor’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, while welcome, has too many loopholes in it to be a proper safety net for those who need support,”Mr Newlands said.

“It can’t be beyond the imagination of the UK Government to implement a scheme that protects consumers and supports an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people – and particularly here in Renfrewshire where the airport and related companies are major employers.

“The Scottish Government has taken the lead in ensuring businesses are given immediate help with business rates, but it’s the UK Government that has the powers to make sure jobs and livelihoods are safeguarded.

“It’s time for a minimum income guarantee to make sure every citizen gets what they need to help make it through these unprecedented times.”

Mr Newlands also argued that, should tour operators go under, it would be the UK Government that has to compensate customers.

He said getting the policy right now would save the taxpayer millions down the line.