US sanctions blamed for Huawei 5G decision delay July 22, 2019 The government has put off a decision on whether Chinese telecoms giant Huawei should be part of the construction of the UK’s next-generation 5G networks, saying US sanctions might stop the firm from being a viable long-term partner. Read more: Next PM urged to prioritise Huawei decision The delay means the next government, which will [...]
Government intervenes in Inmarsat deal on national security grounds July 22, 2019 The UK government is to investigate the sale of London-listed satellite company Inmarsat to a private-equity and pension fund group on national security grounds, it said today. Read more: Inmarsat bidders look to appease government Inmarsat, Britain’s biggest satellite company, agreed in March to be bought by an international group including buyout firms Apax and [...]
Holidaymakers face ‘perfect storm’ this summer as British Airways pilots vote in favour of strike action July 22, 2019 British Airways pilots have voted strongly in favour of industrial action in a dispute with the airline over pay. Ninety-three per cent of those balloted voted in favour of strike action, on a turnout of 90 per cent. Brian Strutton, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association, said: “This strong result demonstrates the resolve [...]
Extra carbon emissions charge could be slapped on airline tickets under Whitehall plans July 22, 2019 People buying airline tickets could face an extra charge for carbon emissions being added automatically in the coming years. Government ministers are considering forcing airlines to add so-called carbon offsetting payments to tickets. Read more: Vueling Airlines named as the most delayed airline in the UK The extra charge would be voluntary, but passengers would [...]
Fire risk: Volvo recalls 500,000 cars after investigation finds faulty engine part July 22, 2019 Swedish car maker Volvo has recalled more than half a million cars after it found a faulty engine part could cause vehicles to catch fire. More than 69,000 cars in Britain are affected, the manufacturer said this morning. Volvo will contact all affected customers. A Volvo spokesman said the firm was not commenting on how [...]
Game of drones: The founder of SenSat on solving construction problems by simulating reality July 22, 2019 “The internet connects all human knowledge, and for the first time in history, we can connect that human knowledge to the actual world we live in through our computers.” It’s at this point during my conversation with James Dean, the cooly-named co-founder of SenSat, that I start to grasp how ground-breaking his technology really is. [...]
Rail passengers ‘missing out’ on £100m in compensation every year July 22, 2019 Rail passengers are missing out on up to £100m a year in compensation, a transport watchdog has found, as it called on consumers to claim whenever they can to send a message to train operators to improve. Transport Focus is today launching a campaign aimed at encouraging passengers to claim for any delays or cancellations. [...]
Business groups warn of delays for troubled HS2 July 21, 2019 Business groups have said they remain broadly supportive of HS2 despite the admission from its chairman that the costs of the project could spiral by as much as £30bn. Over the weekend it emerged that Allan Cook had written to Bernadette Kelly, permanent secretary at the Department for Transport (DfT), to warn that the [...]
Industry slams Labour plan to bring outsourced public services in-house July 21, 2019 Business leaders have pilloried a Labour policy announcement to bring local council jobs like construction, bin collection and school dinners in-house. John McDonnell this weekend said the party wants local councils to carry out the services themselves rather than pay companies to do it. The Confederation of British Industry’s chief UK policy director Matthew Fell [...]
Lufthansa resumes Cairo flights but BA suspension to continue for six days July 21, 2019 German airline Lufthansa has resumed flights to Cairo after temporarily suspending them, along with British Airways, over safety concerns. British Airways cancelled all flights to the Egyptian capital from Heathrow on Saturday over security fears and has said the suspension will remain in place for a further six days. Read more: British Airways set for [...]