Hopefully the statement given by the PM won't be like the Immigration Health Surcharge and also Matt Hancock's "We will review lockdown fines for families with child care issues".

For those who aren't UK locals, essentially non-EU work permit visas have an health surcharge. Owing to the significant contribution of immigrants to the health services during the pandemic, there was pressure from various groups for this to be scrapped. They initially announced it "would be reviewed", only to later be flatly be refused with PM himself saying it needs to stay. Following media pressure, it was reversed, within 24 hours of the refusal, and is indeed going to be scrapped now. With regards to the lockdown fines, Health Secretary was asked if people who flouted lockdown guidance in the interest of child care/welfare, and were subsequently fined, would be able to have their fines reversed (this was following the PM's chief adviser's scandal of breaching lockdown rules which was re-packaged by government PR as being for child care purposes). To this he said "it will be reviewed", within hours reports of stating this, the government started trying to reverse this. I won't get any more political, but essentially all I'm trying to say is I wouldn't be holding my breath that some new UK employee protectionist law will be enforced before the end of the 45 day clock BA has started.

Having said that, this is a big national issue across various businesses that have taken up the taxpayer funded furlough scheme only to later dismiss staff or similar, with of course BA being the one that seems to be the most opportunistic one on face value. Also lots of lost jobs will naturally fall into the benefits system and in turn affect the economy...so there may just be some hope indeed? But we're talking about a government that is traditionally, and broadly, anti-Union, though of course the pandemic is a whole different kettle of fish! In general, irrespective of whatever party one might be affiliated to, I think we can have universal agreement that politicians aren't necessarily the most trustworthy, reliable and ethically faultness individuals out there in the first place! Who knows though? The pandemic has brought about a lot of surprises from all parts of the World/society, so maybe this time around, BA staffers may be rejoiced by any action that the UK government may bring about. Though of course, I would guess, for now, it would be more sensible to take it with a pinch of salt and then be relieved/happy later if and when something comes to fruition!