Calls for rail reform rise as cost of bailout revealed June 23, 2020 Transport secretary Grant Shapps will appear before the transport select committee tomorrow amid growing calls for the government to use its temporary control of the railways to enact reform of the franchise system. In March, the onslaught of the coronavirus crisis prompted ministers to take the UK’s rail firms under emergency measures for six months, [...]
Londoners back Bailey pledge to reverse congestion charge June 23, 2020 Conservative London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has today submitted a petition to City Hall calling on Sadiq Khan to reverse the hike to the congestion charge. Bailey also said that he would undo the increase on the first day of his mayoralty, should he be elected next year. The petition, which has been signed by [...]
One in six auto jobs at risk, car industry body warns June 23, 2020 One of every six jobs in the UK automotive sector remains at risk from the coronavirus pandemic, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warned today, unless the government supplies a dedicated restart package to get the industry going again. Over 6,000 jobs were cut already in June, while a third of all sector [...]
Exclusive: Half of business travel jobs at risk, says BTA boss June 23, 2020 The boss of Britain’s corporate travel industry body has warned that one in every two jobs in the sector is at risk due to the government’s blanket quarantine plans for all incoming travellers, City PM can reveal. Speaking at the Business Travel Association’s (BTA) annual conference, which was held virtually, Clive Wratten said: “Our government [...]
Virgin Atlantic to restart flights to 17 destinations in August June 22, 2020 Virgin Atlantic has laid out plans to restart passenger flights to 17 more destinations from August onwards, following its initial return next month. The new tranche of destinations include Barbados, Tel Aviv, San Francisco and Miami, though the restart does depend on travel restrictions being lifted around the world. The announcement comes after the embattled [...]
Saga refunds £44m to tourists due to coronavirus disruption June 22, 2020 Saga, the cruise operator and insurance firm for over-50s, today announced it had refunded £44m of advance payments to customers whose travel plans were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. The firm, which has cancelled all of its voyages until the end of August, said that it was expecting some travel to begin by the end [...]
Aston Martin appoints new finance chief as board shake-up continues June 22, 2020 Aston Martin today announced that Kenneth Gregor would join the iconic carmaker as its new finance chief as the firm continues its business reset after a tumultuous two years. Gregor, who joins the firm with immediate effect, previously spent 11 years as finance chief at fellow luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover. His appointment comes amidst [...]
Lufthansa shares slump as bailout battle approaches showdown June 22, 2020 Shares in German flag carrier Lufthansa slumped 6.7 per cent this morning as the saga of its mammoth €9bn (£8.1bn) state bailout continued. Last week, the airline’s largest shareholder, billionaire Heinz Hermann Thiele, announced his objections to the plan, which would see Germany take a 20 per cent stake in the carrier. A source told [...]
UK to relax quarantine rules for some countries in July June 19, 2020 The government is planning on relaxing its quarantine rules for travellers coming to the UK from some countries in early July. The BBC reported that the government is hoping to make an announcement on 29 June that it has secured “travel corridors” with a number of countries. Discussions are currently still continuing between UK officials [...]
Railway bailout has cost £3.5bn so far, government reveals June 18, 2020 The UK government has thus far spent £3.5bn keeping its railways running during the coronavirus pandemic, it has been revealed. Responding to a parliamentary written question, rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: ‘Since the outbreak of Covid-19 the government has approved £3.5bn of additional expenditure to ensure that vital rail services continue to operate. “Of this [...]
