North East Beds MP challenges Richard Branson to pay Virgin Atlantic staff during coronavirus lockdown

MP Richard Fuller told the House of Commons last week that billionaire Branson could easily raise £9.9 million from 2% interest on his personal fortune – enough to take care of his employees.

Virgin Atlantic's staff are believed to have been requested to take eight weeks’ unpaid leave over the next three months to help Virgin cope with the impact of the virus pandemic.

Staff members would then be forced to claim statutory sick pay from the government at £94 per week.

Mr Fuller told the House: "The owner, or partial owner of Virgin Airlines has suggested that [workers] should take eight weeks of unpaid leave.

"I decided to look and see how much would that cost. Well, eight weeks at the £94 statutory sick pay would cost £754 per employee. There are 8,571 employees in Virgin Airlines.

"So if all of them took eight weeks’ unpaid leave that would be a cost of £6.4 million. Sir Richard Branson’s net worth is £3.8 billion dollars.

"If he’s able to get 2% interest on that money for eight weeks, he will earn the equivalent of £9.9 million.

"So I say, Sir Richard Branson, give up your interest on your wealth for eight weeks and pay your employees yourself their unpaid leave.

"Big or small - in a small village, a leader of a church or a leader of a large business – when it comes to looking at the protection of your workers, the time is now, and we will judge you all by your actions."

Coronavirus has forced airlines around the world to ground their fleet as governments introduce travel bans.

Virgin Atlantic was contacted about this story but has not responded.