Criminal probe launched against P&O over sacking of 800 seafarers April 1, 2022 The Insolvency Service has launched criminal and civil investigations into the sacking of nearly 800 seafarers by P&O Ferries. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter: “The Insolvency Service has reviewed P&O Ferries’ actions and placed it under criminal investigation for its actions. “Peter Hebblethwaite stood before MPs and admitted to breaking the law, and [...]
Bloody Friday as cost of living onslaught starts for millions: Steepest rise in household bills in living memory begins today April 1, 2022 Today has been dubbed National Price Hike Day, when government bodies and private firms traditionally announce the increases in the cost of goods and services. This year, energy costs are set to skyrocket, with the cheapest energy tariff for a medium user surging to £1,971 – a staggering 118 per cent increase year on year. The [...]
Government says it will not review VAT for EV public chargers March 31, 2022 The UK Government announced today it will not review the VAT rate for electric vehicle (EV) charging points despite stakeholders calling for a policy change. “VAT makes a significant contribution towards the public finances, raising around £130bn in 2019/20, and helps fund the government’s priorities including the NHS, schools and defence,” said Exchequer secretary Helen [...]
Stellantis to close Russian van plant as supply chain issues bite March 31, 2022 Automotive giant Stellantis said today it will be forced to close its Russian van plant following a shortage of parts. Operating only for the local market, the facility is situated in the western city of Kaluga and was run in partnership with Mitsubish. The world’s fourth-largest car maker didn’t specify whether it would write down [...]
Tesla extends production halt at Shanghai plant following city lockdown March 31, 2022 Tesla extended its production halt at a Shanghai plant for at least one more day, as the city was posed under a two-stage lockdown from earlier this week. The lockdown – which ends tomorrow for the eastern part of the city – initially allowed Tesla to resume production on Friday. But according to the latest [...]
Ryanair expects annual losses near middle of forecast range March 31, 2022 Ryanair’s losses are expected to near the middle of its forecast range, chief executive Michael O’Leary announced today. “We think we’ll be somewhere in the middle of that range,” O’Leary said referring to the airline’s forecast loss of between €250m and €400m. The chief executive explained that whether the company reports profits for the financial [...]
Pilot jailed for lying to get British Airways’ job March 31, 2022 A commercial pilot was convicted of fraud after he lied about his experience to get a job at British Airways (BA), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced today. 48-year-old Kentish man Craig Butfoy admitted that between 2016 and 2018 he had falsified details and entries in his pilot logbook to retain work with BA’s London [...]
Lufthansa’s boss ‘open to all options’ on ITA equity stake March 31, 2022 Lufthansa is open to all options regarding an equity stake in Alitalia’s successor ITA Airways, the German carrier’s boss Carsten Spohr said this morning. Spohr told reporters Lufthansa, who had partnered with logistics giant MSC for the possible takeover, would be an ideal partner. The chief executive’s comments come less than a month after he [...]
UK prohibits maintenance on Russian oligarchs’ planes and ships March 30, 2022 The UK Government announced today it has prohibited maintenance works on aircraft or ships belonging to Russian oligarchs sanctioned over ties with Putin. Laid in Parliament today as a Statutory Instrument, the new legislation hit already Russian businessmen Eugene Shvidler, whose aircraft have been detained since last week, and TCS Group founder Oleg Tinkov. Foreign [...]
Grant Shapps says new measures will make P&O “fundamentally rethink” layoffs March 30, 2022 Grant Shapps unveiled today a new set of measures which are expected to make P&O Ferries “fundamentally rethink” the sacking of almost 800 seafarers. “P&O Ferries’ failure to see reason, to recognise the public anger, and to do the right thing by their staff has left the government with no choice,” he told the House [...]
