Budget must spell out 'crystal clear' support for transport & travel

The TSSA General Secretary has urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to spell out "crystal clear measures" to support Britain's travel industry and give guarantees about the future of Eurostar. 

Ahead of tomorrow’s Budget, Manuel Cortes appealed to Sunak to make every possible effort to help what he described as "key players" in Britain’s economic recovery from the Covid crisis. 

Eurostar has warned it could run out of cash by the summer, having seen passenger numbers nosedive since the start of the pandemic, in March last year. Over the same period thousands of jobs have been lost in the travel trade, with many businesses going to the wall. 

Manuel Cortes said: 

"In his Budget, Rishi Sunak must set out crystal clear measures to support our travel trade which has been hit so hard by the pandemic and which, until now, has been all but ignored by Government. 

"We have already seen far too many jobs and businesses lost, and despite our calls, no sector specific support. We can expect a surge in holiday bookings as we climb out of this crisis, but Ministers must not leave things to chance. Without a Budget support package there may not be a high street travel industry left. It’s that simple. 

"Travel, along with operators such as Eurostar – our green link to the continent – are key players in our economic recovery. These jobs and businesses are absolutely vital and the Chancellor must offer hope, after long months of suffering and stress. 

"Be in no doubt – anything less will hinder Britain’s overall economic recovery. That can’t be allowed to happen."