Entertainment
Loose Women star Sophie Morgan celebrates ‘monumental news’ in RightsonFlights campaign-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro
‘It’s happening!!!’
Sophie Morgan has been pushing for better protection for people travelling on airlines (Picture: Rex/Getty)
Sophie Morgan has celebrated a win in her ongoing RightsonFlights campaign after the government announced legislation changes.
The Loose Women star has been speaking out about the treatment of how people living with a disability are treated while travelling after having her wheelchair broken twice by airlines this year.
The TV presenter, author and disability advocate, 38, launched the campaign after her wheelchair was damaged by airport staff in February while she was travelling between the United Kingdom and United States.
At the time Sophie said she didn’t feel ‘valued’ as a person and wanted to work to make air travel truly accessible for all.
Now she’s celebrating after finding out there’s been a significant step forward, which she’s labelled a ‘small victory’.
‘Oh. My. God. 🤯 Just woke up to the news that…..the U.K. Government ARE going to change the legislation to protect disabled people when we fly!!!!!!! ✈️ It’s HAPPENING!!!!!,’ she posted on Twitter on Tuesday.
Sophie had her wheelchair broken for a second time earlier this month (Picture: Sophie Morgan/ Instagram)
She then shared a lengthy post on Instagram explaining what was unfolding.
‘BREAKING NEWS! The U.K. Government has published a report outlining the changes to legislation it intends to make to protect disabled flyers ✈️!!,’ she began.
‘This includes a change to the COMPENSATION that we get when our equipment is damaged AND powers to the regulators to IMPOSE FINES when were let down by the airlines.!!! It’s a small win on the long journey to change!!
‘Now we hold them to account.’
Going on to explain she was meeting with Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer tomorrow, Sophie wrote that ‘one way or another, change WILL happen.’
In March she presented Rishi Sunak with a petition for her campaign (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
Labelling it ‘monumental news’, she said this step was evidence the government was ‘listening’ and now work would begin to hold them to account.
In a press release, the government explained that the plans would involve stronger enforcement powers for the UK Civil Aviation Authority and for faster and cheaper dispute resolution, which it said would lead to ‘improved standards for all passengers on flights operating to and from the UK’.
The measures will mean passengers who have their wheelchairs damaged will be able to receive ‘full and fair compensation’ for damage caused on UK domestic flights, while airlines will also be encouraged to waive the cap for international flights.
After first having her £8,000 wheelchair damaged, the same thing happened again earlier this month when Sophie’s batec (battery-powered attachment) stopped working.
At the time she said she was ‘absolutely raging’ and was ‘exhausted’.
Soon after Sophie, who was paralysed from the chest down in a car crash when she was 18, said there was ‘nothing more frustrating’ for a disabled airline passenger than having their mobility device damaged.
She added it was ‘debilitating’ and affected people’s ‘ongoing confidence’ with air travel.
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV1.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Entertainment – MetroRead More
