Grant Shapps admits quarantine regime ‘confusing’ for travellers September 4, 2020 Transport secretary Grant Shapps has admitted that the differences to the UK’s quarantine policies across the four nations are creating “confusion” for travellers. Speaking to Sky News this morning, Shapps said that he could only be responsible for the restrictions in England, not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. “I do realise it creates confusion for [...]
Virgin Atlantic to cut another 1,150 jobs after £1.2bn rescue deal September 4, 2020 Virgin Atlantic is cutting a further 1,150 jobs as part of a radical restructuring plan following its £1.2bn rescue deal. The airline, founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1984, said the cuts were a result of the “devastating” impact of the coronavirus crisis. It comes less than four months after Virgin said it was axing [...]
New car sales fall in ‘disappointing’ August for market September 4, 2020 New car sales dropped again last month, reversing July’s increase, with just over 87,000 models sold in what is traditionally one of the quietest months for trading. According to new figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders, new car sales fell 5.8 per cent in August. In July, the first full month of [...]
HS2 construction begins with promise to create 22,000 jobs September 4, 2020 Construction work on the controversial HS2 rail link began this morning with around 22,000 jobs expected to be created over the next few years as a result. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the project would “fire up economic growth and help to rebalance opportunity across this country for years to come.” The high speed [...]
Logistics groups call for ‘urgent’ meeting with government over Brexit border disruption September 4, 2020 The UK’s leading logistics and customs groups have called for “urgent” meetings with ministers to discuss Brexit border issues over their fears the supply chain “will be severely disrupted”. Eight groups called for an “urgent roundtable meeting” with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove, chancellor Rishi Sunak and Transport secretary Grant Shapps. “Our concern is so [...]
Former PM Tony Blair warns quarantine restrictions ‘killing’ international travel September 3, 2020 Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned that quarantine restrictions are “killing” international travel, arguing that the policy wouldn’t be necessary with a better testing regime. Blair, who believes we could be living with coronavirus restrictions for a further two years, said he opposed the blanket quarantine measures currently in place. The former Labour Prime [...]
Jet2 to add more flight capacity despite quarantine regime September 3, 2020 Jet2 owner Dart Group said that it would increase its flying capacity over the rest of the summer season, sending its shares up 2.4 per cent this morning. Despite the coronavirus quarantine restrictions, the London-listed firm said that it was “satisfied with the average load factors and financial contribution” achieved over the summer. Since restarting [...]
Commuter numbers rise to highest level since end of lockdown September 3, 2020 The number of people travelling to work rose to its highest level since the end of lockdown, new data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed today, as the government seeks to encourage workers back to the office. According to the ONS, the proportion of working adults who travelled to their place of work [...]
Heathrow Airport outlines pay cuts as it warns of job losses September 3, 2020 Heathrow Airport has opened talks with unions over a round of pay cuts that will affect roughly half of its 4,700 frontline workers. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the UK’s largest airport has lost over £1bn since March, and is now looking to make pay cuts of 15 to 20 per cent. If [...]
Government accused of ‘overseeing demise’ of UK aviation September 3, 2020 Ministers have been accused of overseeing the demise of UK aviation as the sector braces for thousands of job losses and further travel restrictions. Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports, which runs Southampton, Aberdeen and Glasgow, said the sector was suffering more job losses than the demise of the coal industry in the 1980s. [...]