In today’s government press briefing Grant Shapps took a question from a member of the public on travel company refunds. 

“Ultimately [travel companies] have to offer the money back if that is what you prefer,” said Shapps. 

“Sometimes the holiday companies will say ‘we’ll give you a voucher’, perhaps extra time to use it or even a greater value, so you have the choice there about what to do. 

“But ultimately it is the responsibility of those travel companies to pay your money back. 

“You have all the redress that exists between various different schemes… Trading Standards would be one. 

“It’s very important travel companies do treat their customers properly and I’ll be doing everything I can to make sure they pay back or offer a voucher if that’s what the individual consumer wants.”

He concluded: “We can’t have a situation where they’re just hanging on to money, and I’ll be very happy to continue to follow up on that.”