We received written evidence from Manchester Airports Group, which told us that, if passenger numbers remained as they were when testing requirements were in place, it would cost the UK economy £16 billion per year. It also estimated that travellers had spent £365–730 million on PCR tests between 20 May 2021 and 13 October 2021.18 We asked the Cabinet Office to what extent it had considered costs to businesses and individuals when changing the rules. The Cabinet Office told us that it did con...

We received written evidence from Manchester Airports Group, which told us that, if passenger numbers remained as they were when testing requirements were in place, it would cost the UK economy £16 billion per year. It also estimated that travellers had spent £365–730 million on PCR tests between 20 May 2021 and 13 October 2021.18 We asked the Cabinet Office to what extent it had considered costs to businesses and individuals when changing the rules. The Cabinet Office told us that it did consider the costs to carriers and individuals but that it was not the biggest factor in its decision making.19 Type: conclusion | Number: 11 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 4: PAC conclusion: Government did not strike the right balance between its reliance on the travel industry to implement travel controls and the support it provided. 4: PAC recommendation: The Cabinet Office should set out, as part of its report capturing lessons learned, how it would support industr