Wayne David has urged the UK Health Secretary to say would-be holidaymakers must have a refund from their tour operators or insurance companies.
Wayne David has urged the UK Health Secretary to say would-be holidaymakers must have a refund from their tour operators or insurance companies.

Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has expressed his “extreme disappointment” at the failure of central government to insist that refunds are given to holidaymakers who cannot go on holiday because of the lockdown.

As things stand, holidaymakers from the six local authority areas in South Wales with local lockdowns are prevented from leaving their areas because of the COVID restrictions. But the Westminster Government are refusing to say that the would-be holidaymakers must have a refund from their tour operators or insurance companies.

Wayne David has raised the matter on the floor of the House of Commons with the UK Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock. But on Monday 21 September, Mr Hancock refused to give a straight answer to Mr David’s question and declined to give any commitment to ensure that refunds are paid.

Gerald Jones, the Labour MP for Merthyr and Rhymney, raised the issue with the Prime Minister on Tuesday 22 September. But Boris Johnson, who was previously not aware of the issue, also declined to give a commitment, although he said he would look into the issue.

Wayne David said, “I am extremely disappointed that the Government in Westminster has refused to help would-be holidaymakers in South Wales. The Welsh Government has said that refunds ought to be paid, but the power on this issue rests with the UK Government.

“UK Ministers have so far refused to state that refunds must be paid, but I and other Labour MPs from South Wales will keep on fighting”.

To see Wayne David’s question to UK Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, urging the UK Government to ensure that people who are prevented from going on holiday because of the COVID-19 restrictions get a full refund, please click here.

To see a copy of the letter that Wayne David and other Welsh Labour MPs and MSs have written to the Health and Social Care Secretary and the Transport Secretary, please click here

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