MP's 'real challenge' when trying to assist stranded Oldhamers

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has spent the last three weeks working to help constituents stuck in Australia, Bali, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan return home to Oldham, and it's been far from a straight-forward task.

Mr McMahon has come across numerous stumbling blocks in his bid to aid those still stranded on foreign soil. 

Commenting on those stranded abroad, Mr McMahon said: “It’s been a real challenge to get some accurate information out of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about what help is available for Brits stranded abroad.

"For the last few weeks my office has had emails from constituents stuck all over the world, I can only imagine how distressing and unsettling it must be to feel trapped in the midst of a global pandemic.

“There’s been cases of families stuck with young children who are genuinely terrified about this situation, we’ve had backpackers having to cancel entire legs of their trips and we’ve had people who have almost run out of money in trying to get home.

“We’ve seen some progress and we’ve had confirmation that people are now starting to be returned home, and I’m really grateful for the help that the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’s office have offered in this regard.

“They’ve been committed throughout to making sure that Greater Mancunians, especially families with young kids, get home as soon as possible.

"The Foreign Secretary and the Foreign Office need to be more proactive in ensuring they are doing their bit and bringing these people home.”

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