The Government has this evening announced more action to bring home UK citizens stranded abroad, including a £75m charter flight partnership with a number of leading airlines.  This is specifically for countries where no commercial flights are currently available.

I have been pressing the Government for action on this matter for some time and last week I wrote to the Foreign Secretary asking the government to commission charter flights to bring home my constituents who are stranded in India.

I welcome the announcement that the Government is going to act but some other countries have already moved faster and there is no time to lose.  The proof of the effectiveness of this announcement will be whether it is matched by swift and effective action to enable people to come home.

I will update all the constituents who have contacted me about this as more information becomes available.