Breaking news
Boris Johnson will come under pressure today from a newly-formed action group demanding that international travel resumes from May 1. It comes amid claims that the Government has in effect declared war on the travel industry with its advice that no one should book a holiday either in Britain or overseas. The new group, called … Read more
Boris Johnson is set to order the reopening of all schools from March 8 with picnics in the park back on the agenda and ‘al fresco’ meet-ups in pubs allowed from April, it was claimed today. The PM is preparing a loosening of the draconian coronavirus restrictions on everyday life amid massive pressure from Tory … Read more
The simmering Tory tensions over lockdown came to a head in spectacular fashion last week when venerable backbencher Sir Charles Walker encountered Health Secretary Matt Hancock in the Commons. Sir Charles passionately believes that measures to limit the spread of the virus risk causing more harm than they prevent, particularly in terms of mental health; … Read more
Cabinet ministers have backed the use of vaccine certificates for travellers wanting to head abroad this year. The certificates will verify Covid inoculations and will be developed by the government, following the likes of Greece, Spain, Poland, Iceland and Portugal to commit to similar schemes. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will head up the programme which … Read more
This week’s statement by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps that ‘people shouldn’t be booking holidays right now’ has been slammed by the travel industry. And quite right too. Travel company bosses have roundly criticised him for failing to point out that package holidays — involving flights and accommodation booked together — are protected against cancellation by … Read more
Matt Hancock today insisted ministers are ‘doing everything we can’ to make sure people can go on holidays this summer – but admitted there is no guarantee of success. The Health Secretary confirmed that he has already booked a trip to Cornwall, despite Grant Shapps sparking fury yesterday by saying Britons should not plan trips … Read more
Travel advice from the Government descended into farce last night as ministers bickered over whether it is safe to book a summer break in the UK this year. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps sparked a furious backlash after declaring yesterday morning: ‘People shouldn’t be booking holidays right now – not domestically or internationally.’ As anger mounted, … Read more
Grant Shapps revealed today he has had talks with foreign politicians about an ‘internationally recognised system’ of allowing travellers to prove they have had a Covid jab. The Transport Secretary made the admission despite Downing Street insisting for weeks that it has no plans to introduce ‘vaccine passports’ that would prove the holder’s coronanvirus immunity. … Read more
Nicola Sturgeon was facing fury today after her Government demanded English authorities quarantine all travellers flying into England if they were planning to go to Scotland. The First Minister was accused of trying to extend Scottish laws south of the border with the demand that would force England to lock people up in hotels for … Read more
Grant Shapps has ruled out scrapping so-called ‘smart motorways’, while admitting their name was a ‘misnomer’. The Transport Secretary said yesterday that he ‘wouldn’t have gone about it like this’ were he in charge when they were launched and said mistakes were made in their roll-out which initially made them less safe. But he told … Read more