Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs Foreign & Commonwealth Office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH

2 April 2020

Dear Dominic

Urgent repatriation of British nationals from India

We are writing as the MPs for many of those affected to urge you to rapidly develop a comprehensive plan for the repatriation of British nationals who are unable to return from India because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

We are very concerned that our constituents are currently unable to return to the UK, and in particular that a significant number are reporting that they are running low on money to pay for accommodation or medications for pre-existing health conditions.

With scheduled international commercial services from India completely suspended until at least April 14th and potentially longer, it is vital for the Government to charter enough special flights and make the necessary arrangements with the Indian authorities to ensure all British nationals can book a place on a flight and successfully board it.

We therefore urge you to:

• Work with airlines and the Indian authorities to establish enough special charter flights from India to the UK for all British nationals; • Ensure these flights originate from a range of places across the country, particularly given the limits on internal travel within India; and • Agree with the relevant authorities a comprehensive plan to ensure British nationals can travel to the relevant airport to board a flight.

We have heard reports that some flights have begun to be organised, and so we are keen to make sure that they are the beginning of a full and comprehensive plan to help all British nationals who need to return home.

We look forward to you giving this matter your urgent attention and to you clearly communicating this to all those affected. Yours sincerely

James Murray MP Ealing North

Rushanara Ali MP Barry Gardiner MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP Bethnal Green and Bow Brent North Brighton, Kemptown

Tahir Ali MP MP Naz Shah MP Birmingham, Hall Green North Tyneside Bradford West

Fleur Anderson MP Lilian Greenwood MP Virendra Sharma MP Putney Nottingham South Ealing, Southall

Jon Ashworth MP MP Andy Slaughter MP Leicester South Washington and Sunderland Hammersmith West Apsana Begum MP Jeff Smith MP Poplar and Limehouse Rachel Hopkins MP Manchester, Withington South Olivia Blake MP Alex Sobel MP Sheffield, Hallam Rupa Huq MP Leeds North West Ealing Central and Acton Paul Blomfield MP Jo Stevens MP Sheffield Central Afzal Khan MP Cardiff Central Manchester, Gorton Tracy Brabin MP Zarah Sultana MP Batley and Spen David Lammy MP Coventry South Tottenham Dawn Butler MP Sam Tarry MP Brent Central Seema Malhotra MP Ilford South Feltham and Heston Ian Byrne MP Gareth Thomas MP Liverpool, West Derby Kerry McCarthy MP Harrow West East Ruth Cadbury MP Stephen Timms MP Brentford and Isleworth Andy McDonald MP East Ham Middlesbrough Bambos Charalambous Claudia Webbe MP MP Abena Oppong-Asare MP Leicester East Enfield, Southgate Erith and Thamesmead Matt Western MP Marsha de Cordova MP Kate Osborne MP Warwick and Leamington Battersea Jarrow Beth Winter MP Stephen Doughty MP Taiwo Owatemi MP Cynon Valley Cardiff South and Penarth Coventry North West MP Clive Efford MP Sarah Owen MP Doncaster Central Eltham Luton North

Vicky Foxcroft MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP Lewisham, Deptford Streatham