Hartlepool resident 3,233 on list to get home from Nigeria as MP challenges government over response

Hartlepool MP Mike Hill. Picture by FRANK REID

Mr Hill put a question to Dominic Raab in the House of Commons on Monday, May 11, after saying a Hartlepool resident in Nigeria is on a long repatriation list.

All international commercial flights in and out of the African country are currently grounded until June 4 at the earliest.

Mr Hill said other constituents were stuck in other countries unable to get home including Australia.

He said: “The one in Nigeria says he’s number 3,233 on a repatriation list and only one of the Australian cases have reached home at substantial personal cost.

“How can the minister say this is an adequate response?”

Mr Raab said over 1,700 British Nationals have been repatriated from Nigeria so far after the government chartered eight flights.

He added: “In terms of Nigeria, we are concerned and that has been a challenge.

“All airports in Nigeria are currently closed to all international commercial flights until at least June 4, so that is the challenge we face but we’re doing everything we can.”

Mr Raab told MPs that an estimated 1.3 million people have now been returned to the UK from 27 countries and territories.

They include over 30,000 brought home on 141 charter flights.

He said the Foreign Office has created a package of ‘last resort’ measures to help stranded Brits who cannot get home to be able to afford food, accommodation and other essentials.

Individuals can get up to £3,000, couples £4,000 and £5,000 for families.

Mr Raab said the government is also working with insurance companies to extend travel policies by 60 days.

And he said the onus is on travel operators to refund customers who have been left out of pocket by cancellations.

The government is planning to introduce new restrictions on people coming into the UK from abroad including asking some to self-isolate for 14 days.

No date has been set for when the measures will start, although passengers arriving from France will be exempt.

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