By Bev Fearis, published 9/09/20
Business travel has strengthened its representation in Parliament with the launch of an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) dedicated to the sector.
The APPG is made up of MPs from across the political spectrum, all with an interest and knowledge of business travel.
It is chaired by Stephen Hammond, MP for Wimbledon and former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport.
The first meeting took place yesterday (Tuesday), when MPs heard from a number of key industry speakers including Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association, Suzanne Horner, CEO of Gray Dawes Global and Chair of the BTA, Andrew Crawley, Chief Commercial Officer of American Express Global Business Travel, and Thomas Haagensen, Group Markets Director of easyJet.
Wratten said: “The BTA’s role is to grow the profile and importance of business travel in building a strong and sustainable economy, and today is a key step in that journey.”
At the meeting, Wratten re-iterated the BTA’s call for an extension to the Government’s furlough scheme, the temporary suspension of Air Passenger Duty, Business Rate relief and rapid development and approval of traveller testing.
Stephen Hammond MP said: “I look forward to making the case for business travel and making some quick submissions to Government to help the industry, as well as formulating longer term policy ideas with the APPG.”
According to the BTA, business travel demand is not set to return until 2021, putting 10,000 jobs at risk and risking the destruction of a sector that will underpin the UK’s economic recovery.
