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Henry Smith

Member of Parliament for Crawley

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Future of Aviation

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In May 2020 I launched the Future of Aviation Group to campaign for Britain’s aviation sector following the COVID-19 pandemic’s negative impact. In October 2020 the Group was officially registered with Parliament as the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Future of Aviation. The APPG’s web site is: www.futureofaviationgroup.org.uk

We have a proven record of effectively campaigning on behalf of aviation workers, businesses and customers.

With Gatwick Airport in my constituency this has been a cause of importance throughout my time as Crawley MP, and before when I served as Leader of West Sussex County Council. The Group seeks to highlight the importance of a vibrant and sustainable aviation sector to consumers, businesses and the overall UK economy. The Group lobbies Government to introduce measures in support of this vital sector’s recovery to assist global Britain – essentially to support the international trade we rely on.

Covid-19 has affected the aviation industry more than most other sectors – it was one of the first to be affected and will be one of the slowest to recover. Not only is it a significant employer of my constituents but with British aviation being world leading, our country as a whole.

I have made this call in the House of Commons, in cross-party approaches to secretaries of state, as well as in the local and national media.

Over the summer of 2020, the Group launched its Aviation Recovery Plan, making 10 key calls to the Government.

I have been clear that aviation’s recovery is not only about flights and trade, it is about what the sector means to hard-working families and whose employees have in many cases given significant periods of their lives to the industry.

In September 2020 I took part in the House of Commons debate on the aviation sector’s future. Obviously a subject of great importance not only to our national Covid-19 impacted economic recovery but for Crawley’s wellbeing too.

In Parliament in November 2020 I reiterated my calls on issues ranging from moving on from quarantine, testing, addressing Air Passenger Duty and business rates; I was grateful to the Government and the Global Travel Taskforce for listening to our calls.

The impact of business rates on affected firms was a key issue. After lobbying the Government confirmed a new package of financial support for English airports and ground handlers serving them. For Gatwick Airport, this funding is designed to help with the cost of paying business rates, providing much-needed financial relief.

Airports, airlines and other aviation businesses were able to draw on the Government’s unprecedented support, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Business Interruption Loans. In total, the aviation and aerospace sectors have received over £9 billion in support.

During the period of Covid-19 restrictions I called for the safe resumption of international travel, including leading a parliamentary debate in support of the sector in June 2021. In September of that year, I welcomed the Government’s announcement of a simplified international travel regime.

In November 2021 I spoke in Parliament in support of further Government backing for airports in England, and I called for a cut in the costs of PCR testing in light of the Omicron variant.

Covid-19 restrictions for air travel ended in March 2022 and with that came a greater focus on the recovery of the sector. As Chair I will continue to work with Government and industry to help secure the recovery of aviation, travel and tourism, and further progress on issues such as its route to net zero carbon emissions through the Jet Zero strategy, sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen technology development.

Additionally I am leading representations of cross-party MPs to HM Treasury calling for the introduction of duty-free shopping on arrival shops at British airports; this would boost employment and economic activity, providing much needed revenue to British ports rather than passengers spending on duty free abroad.

News

Henry Smith MP calls for aviation and travel recovery support as Government announces new Covid-19 restrictions

Thursday, 9 December, 2021

Henry Smith MP spoke in the House of Commons to call for further support for the aviation and travel sectors which continue to be hamstrung by measures to address the pandemic.

Henry Smith MP: New report shows how levelling up UK-wide transport connections would benefit people in Crawley

Henry Smith MP: New report shows how levelling up UK-wide transport connections would benefit people in Crawley

Tuesday, 30 November, 2021

Henry Smith MP has welcomed the publication of the Union Connectivity Review, a major new report looking at how improving transport links between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would support economic growth and quality of life.

Henry Smith MP welcomes extension of Government support for airports

Monday, 29 November, 2021

Henry Smith MP has spoken in the Delegated Legislation Committee Motion on Department for Transport financial assistance, welcoming the extension of Government support for airports in England and calling for action to cut the costs of PCR testing in light of the Omicron variant. 29 November 2021.

Boeing's confidence in Crawley

Boeing's confidence in Crawley

Monday, 29 November, 2021

Henry Smith MP column, Crawley Observer, 1 December 2021.

A bid for city status for Crawley

A bid for city status for Crawley

Monday, 22 November, 2021

Henry Smith MP column, Crawley Observer, 24 November 2021.

Henry Smith MP welcomes Budget 2021 which will deliver a stronger economy for people in Crawley

Henry Smith MP welcomes Budget 2021 which will deliver a stronger economy for people in Crawley

Thursday, 28 October, 2021

Crawley MP Henry Smith has welcomed the Government’s Autumn Budget and Spending Review (on Wednesday, 27th October), saying it will help working families meet the cost of living, support businesses’ recovery, deliver world-class public services, and drive economic growth across the country.

Moving in the right direction after the pandemic

Monday, 4 October, 2021

Henry Smith MP column, Crawley Observer, 6 October 2021.

Henry Smith MP welcomes new Covid-19 international travel rules in House of Commons

Tuesday, 21 September, 2021

Henry Smith MP has spoken in the House of Commons to welcome the new and simplified Covid-19 travel regime for arrivals into England.

Henry Smith MP welcomes simplified Covid-19 international travel rules

Henry Smith MP welcomes simplified Covid-19 international travel rules

Monday, 20 September, 2021

Henry Smith MP has welcomed the Government announcement (on Friday, 17th September) that the rules for international travel to England will be changing imminently, simplifying the system in light of the UK’s successful domestic vaccine rollout.

Consumer confidence in international travel

Monday, 2 August, 2021

Henry Smith MP column, Crawley Observer, 4 August 2021.

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Henry Smith Member of Parliament for Crawley

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