Brexit and pandemic: Number of lorry drivers in UK down by record 53,000 October 20, 2021 New figures have shown that the number of lorry drivers the UK has dropped by 53,000 over the past four years, with the fall the largest among middle-aged hauliers, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said analysis of the annual population survey has revealed an estimated 17% plunge in the number [...]
London business groups call on government to stop five per cent rail fare hikes in 2022 October 20, 2021 London business groups have called on the government to ensure rail fares do not surge next year on the back of above expected inflation, warning this would cripple the capital’s recovering economy. London First and the Centre for London said today that a 5 per cent rise in rail fares next year, which is the [...]
Southeastern and South Western passengers cleared to make £93m compensation claim October 19, 2021 Rail passengers are free to seek compensation for overcharging by Southeastern and South Western rail franchises. London’s specialist competition court has ordered that the claims, issued on behalf of millions of rail passengers, can now proceed to trial. The Competition Appeal said that both rail franchises failed to make ‘boundary fares’ sufficiently available to consumers. [...]
UK to invest £620m in EV transition as part of net zero plan October 19, 2021 The UK Government has announced it will invest £620m to support the transition to electric vehicles (EV) as part of the Net Zero strategy unveiled today. “By moving first and taking bold action, we will build a defining competitive edge in electric vehicles, offshore wind, carbon capture technology and more, whilst supporting people and businesses [...]
Cabotage is the “wrong tool” for the HGV crisis says haulage industry October 19, 2021 The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has called cabotage “the wrong tool” if the UK Government wants to relieve the HGV pressure that is in part causing the supply chain crisis. Speaking in front of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee, RHA’s director of policy Duncan Buchanan said this morning that cabotage will be “shockingly [...]
Aviation regulator sets five-year cap on Heathrow’s charges October 19, 2021 The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will set a five-year price cap on the maximum charges Heathrow can ask its airline customers for using the airport. Coming into force in the summer of 2022, the cap is expected set affordable charges for airlines while making sure the airport can get back on track with its [...]
Electric intercity flights: Vertical Aerospace calls on the government to deliver by 2025 October 19, 2021 Global aerospace and technology company Vertical Aerospace is calling on the UK Government to deliver electric intercity flights by 2025. In a white paper by the name of The Future of Advanced Aerial Mobility that was published today, Vertical Aerospace has highlighted how opening up electric passenger flights would bring economic and environmental benefits to [...]
Brexit: Drop in UK-EU trade hits smaller businesses as they are forced to shun exports October 19, 2021 A fall in trade between the UK and EU shows UK small and medium sized enterprises are increasingly shunning EU exports. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows a second consecutive monthly fall in trade, with the effects of Brexit and the global pandemic resulting in the total exports of goods, excluding [...]
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 [...]