UK trade bodies rebel against ‘cartel-like’ shipping costs October 19, 2021 Make UK, the trade body representing UK manufacturers, has called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to open an investigation into the shipping sector’s “cartel-like practices” when it comes to the increase in prices. Writing a letter to the CMA alongside the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), Make UK has said that the “increase [...]
Covid cancellations: CMA launches probe into Teletext over package holidays October 18, 2021 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it has launched court action against Teletext Holidays over inadequate progress on refunding package holidays for trips cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli said: “Companies must abide by consumer protection law and treat their customers fairly. “After engaging with Teletext Holidays extensively, we [...]
Walking, cycling and urban greening: Meet London’s green development priorities October 18, 2021 London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that, as part of his plan to make London net zero by 2030, new developments will need to be greener and prioritise energy efficiency and space for walking and cycling. Set today by Khan, the three pieces of new guidance – called Be Seen Energy Monitoring, Urban Greening Factor [...]
National Express buys time as Stagecoach takeover is delayed October 18, 2021 Stagecoach’s panel on takeovers and mergers has consented to an extension to the date by which National Express is required to announce its firm intention to buy the rival. National Express will have by 5pm on 16 November if it wants to go ahead and buy Stagecoach or give up on the deal altogether. The [...]
Travel Special: Pandemic leaves islanders on isolated Mauritius ‘fighting to work’ October 18, 2021 Tourism industry workers in Mauritius have urged UK holidaymakers to return to the island after being left “fighting” for jobs due to the worldwide pandemic. The Indian Ocean island allowed travellers to return on October 1, with many islanders describing the tourism industry as “essential” for them to survive. The country still enforces the wearing [...]
Chemical giant Ineos pumps nearly £1.7bn in green hydrogen production October 18, 2021 In what will be Europe’s largest ever investment in electrolysis projects to make green hydrogen with the potential to “transform” zero carbon hydrogen production, chemical giant Ineos is to invest around £1.69bn in green hydrogen production. The first plants will be built in Norway, Germany and Belgium in the next 10 years with investment also [...]
Paper rail tickets to be ripped up across South East England October 17, 2021 Ministers are set to scrap paper rail tickets across South East England in favour of contactless payments. The contactless payments will be integrated into London’s Oyster card system. Transport officials reportedly want to expand pay-as-you-go smartcards in a pre-emptive strike against trade unions. The unions are opposing the potential closure of ticket offices across the [...]
Goodbye Alitalia: Italy’s new carrier to join airline alliance October 16, 2021 Alitalia’s successor ITA Airways will join the Skyteam alliance from next year, reported Reuters. ITA Airways’ chairman said yesterday that the new-born company aims to renegotiate the place within the Skyteam alliance that once belonged to Alitalia, partnering up with other airlines such as Lufthansa. “ITA has been created to be a strategic element in [...]
Shapps echoes Sunak saying Christmas gifts will be available October 16, 2021 Transport secretary Grant Shapps has echoed Chancellor Rishi Sunak and said that Christmas gifts will be available despite the backlogs witnessed at UK ports. “People will be able to get things for Christmas,” he told Sky News. “When I talk to the ports they said it is a busy picture, but if you compared us [...]
Petrol prices 2p away from record high October 16, 2021 The pump price for a litre of petrol sold at UK forecourts has reached 140.22p, the highest since September 2012. Data from the RAC Fuel Watch showed that fuel prices – which have gone up 26p a litre in the last year – are two pence away from the record high of 140.24p per litre [...]