Thousands of Brits have been hit by chaos over the amber list after Portugal was removed at short notice.
Ministers aren’t exempt from the rules – as we saw last year when Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was caught out in Spain.
But this year it seems they’re playing it safe – with not one serving minister yet confessing publicly to going abroad this year.
Boris Johnson’s plans are still shrouded in secrecy, but other ministers have privately confirmed their plans to the Mirror.
A clutch are travelling to Cornwall while others plan breaks in Wales and Scotland. Labour’s Keir Starmer will stay in the UK too.
Only Jeremy Hunt – not a minister any more – has stood out in saying he’s planning not one trip abroad, but two.
Here’s what we know about senior MPs’ holiday plans so far…
Boris Johnson
Who knows? He’s keeping it close to his chest.
A betting man would say the Prime Minister is likely to stay in the UK again this year, like his trip to Scotland with Carrie and baby Wilfred last summer.
He has gone abroad in the past, including to a lavish, under-investigation jaunt to the island of Mustique, but that was before Covid struck.
Asked where Boris Johnson plans to go on holiday this summer, his spokesman replied: “I wouldn’t speculate on the PM’s movements ahead of time.”
(Image: Internet Unknown)
Gavin Williamson
The Education Secretary has not commented publicly, but it’s understood he’s planning a break in the UK this summer too.
Perhaps wisely – especially given last year’s mid-August exam results debacle – he’s not planning to go abroad.
George Eustice
The Environment Secretary is firmly staying in the UK this year, and advised Brits to do the same.
He told Sky News: “I will be staying at home, I’ve no intention of travelling or going on holiday abroad this summer.
“Some people may, but they have to understand there are obviously risks in doing so, because it is a dynamic situation.
“But I think most people will probably decide this year to holiday at home.
“We’ve got some fabulous places to visit in this part of the country, not least of course Cornwall, where there will be a very very busy summer I’m sure.
“My advice to people would be holiday at home, we’ve got some great places here.”
(Image: ITV)
Jeremy Hunt
The former Health Secretary is the only non minister on this list.
And, well, he’s the only senior Tory we’ve found so far who’s going overseas.
He has already booked two foreign summer holidays – including a rather optimistic June trip to Italy, still on the amber list.
He told Times Radio: “I am hoping and praying that this vaccine programme is as successful as I’ve just been telling you it is,” he told Times Radio.
“We booked to go to Italy for the summer half term. So that’s the plan for that.
“And for the summer holidays itself… actually, we were hoping to go to France.”
Matt Hancock
The present Health Secretary is less adventurous – revealing way back in February that he’d booked his summer break to Cornwall.
He said at the time: “I absolutely hope for a great British summer and I’m working incredibly hard to try to make sure that can happen.
“I booked a place months ago and of course I hope to but there is this uncertainty that we all talk about.”
Robert Jenrick
Nicknamed “three homes”, the Communities Secretary has options in the UK so isn’t going to brave the arrivals hall either.
He said: “This isn’t a normal summer. Opportunities for international travel are going to be more limited, so why not enjoy everything this country has to offer this summer. That’s probably the decision I’m going to make, many other people will be doing the same.”
“I might even go to Cornwall”.
Amanda Milling
The Tory chairwoman “will be hitting the road again, touring the whole country to see where the Government has been delivering on its levelling up agenda,” a source says (yes, really).
“She may have a couple of days off here and there to enjoy the cricket and catch up with friends and family across the UK.”
Rishi Sunak
The Chancellor is planning to stay in the UK too, according to sources.
Robert Buckland
The Justice Secretary will be staying in Wales, it’s claimed.
Alister Jack
The Scottish Secretary will be suitably patriotic and take a break in Speyside, it’s said.
Therese Coffey
The Work and Pensions Secretary hasn’t had time to book a holiday yet – aides claim she is too busy with the Covid response.
Good luck to her if she tries to get a last-minute B&B in August.
Alok Sharma
The COP 26 climate conference president has told friends he won’t have time to go away ahead of the November summit, according to the i newspaper.
Natalie Evans
The Leader of the Lords, is holidaying in a camper van in north-west Norfolk, where her husband James Wild is the local MP, according to the i.
Oliver Dowden
The Culture Secretary “always holidays in the UK” and won’t be making any exceptions this year, his aides say.
What about non-Tories?
Labour leader Keir Starmer is understood to be planning a summer break in England – but it’s not known where yet.
The Green Party’s only Westminster MP Caroline Lucas will go to Cornwall, including a few days in a “remote part” of Bodmin Moor.
