Rishi Sunak has written to Boris Johnson warning that the UK’s travel restrictions are “out of step” in comparison to other countries, reports suggest.
According to the Sunday Times newspaper, the chancellor has raised concerns with the prime minister about the damage that the current border controls are doing to the UK’s economy and has called for holiday rules to be relaxed.
Mr Sunak is said to have emphasised in particular the impact that the international travel rules are having on the tourism and hospitality sector and noted that the success of the country’s vaccination programme should warrant a weakening of the restrictions.
No 10 did not deny that the PM received a letter from Rishi Sunak
A No 10 source did not deny the PM had received a letter from the chancellor, but said the correspondence was not related to next week’s travel review – due to take place on Thursday.
Many holidaymakers in the UK will hope that the new rules announced this week, which will be in place for most of August, will include the movement of more countries to the amber and green lists.
The government has faced increased criticism over its travel policy in recent weeks since placing France on the new, “amber-plus” list.
The move means travellers returning from France will still have to quarantine for 10 days regardless of vaccination status.
Ministers said the decision was due to the increasing prevalence of the Beta variant of coronavirus in France.
Holidaymakers were disappointed last month when France was moved to the new ‘amber-plus’ list
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said this was a particular problem “in the Reunion bit of France” – Reunion being 6,000 miles away from Paris.
But the transport secretary later clarified that concerns regarding the variant also apply to northern France.
A French minister referred to this decision as “excessive” and accused the UK government of not following the science.
There have been suggestions that France could be moved back to the official “amber” list in the next review on 5 August, which would mean travellers could skip the isolation period if they have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine.
Rishi Sunak has said weakening border controls would help boost the economy following the pandemic, reports suggest
There is also speculation that Spain could take over France’s position on the “amber-plus” list in what would be a blow for returning travellers who would have to quarantine for 10 days on their return even if double-jabbed.
No 10 has said it is too early to speculate on what changes could be made but expressed the PM’s desire to see more travel restrictions lifted.
Last week, the government also announced that fully-vaccinated travellers from the US and Europe – with the exception of France – will be able to travel to the UK quarantine-free.