Travel

Boris Johnson is under growing Cabinet pressure to ease travel restrictions, amid fears an amber watchlist for European countries could wreck summer holidays. The Government is due on Thursday to update the traffic light list setting the rules for August, with threats to create a new category that could see nations moved at short notice to red, which entails 10 days’ hotel quarantine upon return to the UK. Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, is understood to be pushing for the idea of an “amber watchlist” to be shelved, as well as an expansion of the green list that enables even the unvaccinated to avoid quarantine upon their return. A growing chorus of senior backbenchers voiced their frustration on Sunday night over the proposal for an amber watchlist which they fear will put off families from travelling in case the rules change suddenly and they would have to pay for hotel quarantine. It is thought Spain and Greece and their popular islands are at the highest risk of …

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Britons may have to apply for visas to travel throughout continental Europe once the UK leaves the EU, it has been reported. A scheme apparently being debated by the executive body of the European Union suggests the 26-nation passport-free Schengen zone , which does not include the UK, could operate a visa programme similar to the US waiver. Currently British passport holders can travel throughout member states without having to apply for short-term visas, but Britain's decision to leave the EU has left question marks over the criteria needed for UK nationals to visit the Schengen zone . According to The Guardian , the European Commission (EC) is due to unveil draft legislation for the EU travel information and authorisation system (Etias) later this year as part of a broader response to calls for greater security across the continent following recent terror attacks in France and Belgium. The scheme would cover all visitors to the Schengen zone from countries that …

[Read more...] about British travellers ‘may need visas to travel throughout Europe’

Sadiq Khan quizzed by pensioner on future of free bus passes Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info From doing the weekly shop to seeing loved ones, free bus travel can be hugely important for enabling a person to go about daily life. However, the age when people qualify for their free bus pass varies across the UK. Related articles Free bus pass: Start time limits reintroduced across the UK Nationwide to launch new market-leading fixed rate ISA - eligibility READ MORE Census 2021 scam warning issued as criminals are targeting NI numbers In England, a person can get a bus pass for free travel when they reach the …

[Read more...] about Free bus pass age: How to check when you can travel for free as state pension age rises

British holidaymakers could be forced to pay for visas to travel to Europe as a trade-off for the Brexit vote, the Home Secretary has admitted. Amber Rudd said she could not "rule out" the introduction of a scheme which would force those from outside the EU to pay for visas. The plan, currently being considered by EU nations, emerged over the weekend and on Sunday Ms Rudd suggested that Britain could be prepared to accept visas as a price worth paying during the Brexit negotiations. But she warned that the UK could retaliate and create a similar system if British citizens were hit with a charge to travel to countries like France and Spain. Critics have branded the scheme, which could cost around £10 per person, a "holiday tax" and called on Theresa May to rule it out. But asked about plans for a European Union visa yesterday the Home Secretary said the British people would be "surprised" at being forced to pay. She added: "I don’t think it’s particularly desirable but …

[Read more...] about British holidaymakers could be forced to pay to travel to Europe, Home Secretary admits

Nicola Sturgeon has warned that she may only initially lift international travel restrictions for Scots who want to go abroad to meet family, and not sunseekers wanting a foreign holiday. The First Minister told a BBC One Scotland Holyrood election leaders' debate that she would consider the UK Government's traffic light scheme , which may allow holidaymakers to fly from English airports to Europe's top holiday destinations from next month. But she warned she was prepared to maintain restrictions on flying from Scotland's airports "for a little bit longer" to allow her to "open up much greater normality domestically". Ms Sturgeon said: "It may be that restrictions on international travel are the price we have to pay for that, and when we do open up we focus on family reunification before holidays". Although she said she wanted a deal on common arrangements with the UK Government and her Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts, she said it had to be "on the right four nations …

[Read more...] about Nicola Sturgeon warns international travel restrictions may not be lifted for sunseekers

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that nearly all of Scotland's remaining Covid restrictions will come to an end on August 9. In a virtual parliamentary sitting on Tuesday, the First Minister said that most legal restrictions - including those on social distancing and limits on the size of gatherings - will be lifted, allowing large-scale events to take place. Ms Sturgeon said that the country will be able to move beyond Level 0 as a result of the "steady decline in cases" and "the success of vaccination". She also confirmed that close contacts of those who test positive for Covid will no longer be required to automatically self-isolate for 10 days if they receive a negative PCR test. However, t he First Minister announced that the legal requirement to wear face mask will remain in certain public settings for "some time to come". She added that pubs and restaurants will still be required to collect contact details of customers and home working will continue to be advised. Ms …

[Read more...] about Scotland’s Covid rules: what restrictions will end on August 9?

A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for parts of New Orleans and other areas of southern Louisiana until 8 a.m. CDT time Monday, following heavy rainfall of between two and four inches in the affected area, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS warned of the impact of "life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses" in parishes including northwestern Jefferson, southwestern Orleans, and northern St. Charles. Additional rainfall of one to three inches is possible in the area currently under the warning, the NWS said. The NWS tweeted early Monday : "A Considerable Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Metro New Orleans! This is a dangerous situation for the roads, and travel should be avoided for now if possible! Turn around, don't drown. More rain is expected through the morning hours. Be safe! #lawx." It also shared a radar map of the area under the warning. A flash flood is "a sudden violent flood …

[Read more...] about New Orleans street flooding map, updates as Louisiana swamped by “life threatening” rain

Meghan Markle birthday: Duchess of Sussex's year in review Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Tim Rooke became a royal photographer for Shutterstock in 1990 and has since travelled to over 110 countries, capturing history across royal generations. In celebration of Meghan’s 40th birthday, Tim spoke to Express.co.uk , sharing his photographs and anecdotes from his time working so closely with the most famous family in the world, the Royal Family . Tim spoke about photographing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle , in comparison to the rest of the Royal Family. Related articles Gareth Pierce property: Inside Todd Grimshaw actor’s family home …

[Read more...] about Meghan Markle turns 40: Royal photographer – she’s a ‘natural’ but ‘favourite’ is Camilla

Premium bonds: Expert explains the 'Ernie' machine Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The odds of winning a prize in a Premium Bonds monthly draw stand at 34,500 to one for every £1 Bond. The prizes range from payouts of £25 right up to two jackpots of £1million. Related articles State pension age changes may affect your free bus pass & retirement HMRC issues £500 ‘C19’ support payment today - check your bank account READ MORE Pension ages - which EU country has the lowest state pension age It's not a way of saving which will suit everyone though, for instance if a person wants a regular income or …

[Read more...] about Premium Bonds ‘deposits are guaranteed’ – but savings could ‘lower in value in real terms’

Martin Lewis provides advice on tracking down lost pensions Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info State pension aged people can get a bus pass for free travel through their local council if they're living in England. For those in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland it is possible to get a bus pass when reaching the age of 60. Related articles State Pension: DWP to repay £3bn of underpayments - check now State pension: Women advised to claim child benefit to avoid NI issues READ MORE State pension: You may get extra money through pension credit However, these bus passes were impacted by the pandemic and …

[Read more...] about Free bus pass: Start time limits reintroduced across the UK – pensioners to be affected