Budget: Sunak defends decision not to cut VAT on household energy bills October 28, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak this morning defended the government’s decision not to cut VAT on home energy bills to counter rising energy prices. Asked on BBC Breakfast why he did not make such a move, the Chancellor said: “Because as many independent experts and think tanks have pointed out, it is not a particularly well-targeted measure [...]
UK car production falls 41.5 per cent as shortages plague industry October 28, 2021 Car production in Britain shrank 41.5 per cent in September, as only 67,169 vehicles were produced. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that September was the third consecutive month of decline and the worst-performing September since 1982. Domestic and export markets sank respectively by 47.4 and 39.6 per cent. Global [...]
Long-haulers slam APD hike as it “will penalise Global Britain” October 27, 2021 Long-haul carriers have criticised the Chancellor’s decision to increase air passenger duty (APD) rates for flights longer than 5,500 miles. Luis Gallego, chief executive at British Airways’ parent company IAG, said the move “will penalise Global Britain” at a time when the country should be more competitive on the global stage. “We need to get [...]
Boeing ekes out small profit after aviation volumes ramp up October 27, 2021 In the third quarter aircraft manufacturer Boeing has registered a small adjusted profit after commercial airplanes and services volumes ramped up when travel restrictions eased. The company’s core operating profit amounted to $59m, compared with a $754m loss in 2020. Year-on-year, revenues grew 8 per cent to $15.2bn, going up from $14.1bn. “We are driving [...]
Rishi Sunak’s Autumn Budget: A quick overview of what has been announced October 27, 2021 Downing in numbers and announcements? No worries, here are the main points from Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget. – The Budget is focused on the “post-Covid” era, according to the Chancellor, and will pave the way for the “Prime Minister’s economy of higher wages, higher skills, and rising productivity”. – Independent forecaster the Office for Budget [...]
Budget 2021: Sunak commits £46bn to railways October 27, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a further £46bn on rail investment at this year’s Budget. The money is focused predominantly on boosting connectivity across the country. The Autumn Budget and Spending Review includes £35bn directly for railway connectivity over the next three years. It is also committing £5.7bn over five years in eight city regions [...]
Budget 2021: Government invests in road and railway, as APD for domestic flights goes down October 27, 2021 In his Autumn Budget speech, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has set out the funding for the transport sector, focusing on road and rail improvements as well as lowering air passenger duty (APD) taxes on domestic flights. To level up the country’s “uneven economic geography”, the Chancellor is allocating £130bn for infrastructure investments such as road, railway [...]
Spanish operator Renfe to operate Paris – London service to rival Eurostar October 26, 2021 Spanish rail operator Renfe is reportedly seeking to operate a new service between Paris and London, initiating talks with the Spanish ministry of Finance to be granted permission, el Pais reported. The company is expected to take advantage of the slots in the tunnel under the Channel, capitalising on the high passenger demand for the [...]
London crowned the most dangerous city for UK cyclists October 26, 2021 London is the UK’s most dangerous city for cyclists, reported a study by personal injury experts Boyes Turner Claims. Bristol and Hull come in second and third place, reporting 1,301 and 1,243 incidents since 2016. Using data from the Department for Transport, the research revealed that over the last five years, 11,560 incidents involving cyclists [...]
Plug-in hybrid vehicles no longer exempt from C-Charge discount October 26, 2021 Drivers of plug-in hybrid vehicles are no longer exempt from paying the £15 daily Congestion Charge, reported MSN. From yesterday only 100 per cent net-zero cars qualify fo the discount, while before all hybrid vehicles that emitted no more than 75g/km of CO2 could get the exemption, the news site added. The Congestion Charge was [...]