I will continue to keep you updated with the latest Coronavirus guidance. This afternoon, the Government announced the following advice;

Busy day meeting councillors in Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary. I also held surgeries in Exmouth and Sidmouth. If you are a constituent and need my help, you can book an appointment by emailing simon.jupp.mp@parliament.uk.

Great news! Several flights are now secured from Exeter Airport following the collapse of Flybe. Keeping Devon’s quickest connection with Manchester is great news for the South West.

Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you.

Firstly, I will take this opportunity to thank my predecessor, Sir Hugo Swire for his service to East Devon and this House.

Sir Hugo served the constituency and his country with distinction.

This afternoon I met with staff and the Chief Executive of Exeter Airport to discuss Flybe’s collapse. Operators are coming forward to run some routes which is encouraging.

It was valuable to meet with Chief Executive of Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Suzanne Tracey, today to discuss the comprehensive plans to combat coronavirus in Devon. We also discussed the importance of our community hospitals and the RD&E.

I had a fantastic visit to St Peter's Church of England Aided School in Exeter today to meet incredible students who are in the final 15 of the National Youth Industrial Strategy Competition.

I would like to provide a further update on the collapse of Flybe into administration. I am in close contact with the Secretaries of State at the Department for Transport and Department for Work & Pensions, as well as ongoing briefings from the Aviation Minister Kelly Tolhurst.

My thoughts are with the hard-working Flybe staff at Exeter Airport at this difficult time. I will do everything possible to support them. The government offered to help secure the future of the airline and I’m deeply disappointed by the decision taken by Flybe’s shareholders.

My intervention during the HS2 debate last night: “Warm words for the South West are welcome, but cold, hard cash is what is needed. The South West voted for this Government en masse, and it’s time we also saw the chequebook”