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London travel news LIVE: Overground trains halted by Denmark Hill points failure causing travel disruption

London Overground trains are unable to run between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction due to a points failure at Denmark Hill, causing major disruption for commuters this afternoon.

The issue also sparked chaos on Southeastern between London Victoria and Gillingham and Thameslink between London Blackfriars and Sevenoaks.

Transport chiefs warn the delays of up to 20 minutes or cancellations are expected to continue until the end of the day.

It comes after the Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City Lines were hit by delays due to a faulty train at King’s Cross St. Pancras.

On the roads, the M25 clockwise (northbound) entry slip at J11 has reopened following an earlier vehicle fire.

Follow latest updated below.

Live updates

Thameslink disruption expected until tomorrow morning

A shortage of train crew is causing disruption to various routes across the Thameslink network and train services may be cancelled, National Rail has warned.

Disruption is is expected from approximately 11pm tonight through until 7am tomorrow.

Delays on Northern Line

There are minor delays on the Northern Line due to a points failure at Mornington Crescent, according to TfL.

Minor delays on Circle Line

Commuters are facing minor delays on the Circle Line due to train cancellations.

Trains unable to run on section of Overground due to points failure

There is no service between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction on the London Overground while Transport for London fix a points failure at Denmark Hill.

There is a good service on the rest of the London Overground network.

Underground hit by delays due to faulty train at King's Cross St. Pancras

There are minor delays on the Circle Line (anticlockwise), Hammersmith and City Line (westbound), and between Baker Street and Aldgate due to an earlier faulty train at King's Cross St. Pancras.

Disruption between Clapham Junction and Dalston Junction expected until 3pm

A points failure at Denmark Hill is causing delays of up to 20 minutes or cancellations for trains between Clapham Junction and Dalston Junction. Disruption is expected until 3pm.

London Overground part suspended

There is currently no service between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction due to a points failure at Denmark Hill.

Severe traffic in Colliers Wood

Traffic is slow-moving in both directions on [A24] High Street Colliers Wood due to emergency gas works. Temporary traffic signals are in place at the Valley Gardens junction, causing northbound queues along Merton High Street and southbound along Colliers Wood. Expect delays.

Good service resumes on London Overground

Major traffic delays due to roadworks on putney high street.

Lane closures and temporary signals are in place on Putney High Street at the junction of Putney Bridge Road for signal upgrade works.

Traffic is slow moving on both approaches, with northbound queues extending to Upper Richmond Road and southbound queues towards Putney Bridge, causing delays in the surrounding area.

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UK travel update: government waives quarantine for arrivals fully vaccinated from Europe and USA while also confirming international cruise restart

The latest steps towards reopening international travel make it easier for people vaccinated in Europe or the USA to travel to England.

Read the guidance on testing and quarantine for amber list countries

• passengers fully vaccinated with vaccines authorised by the EMA and FDA in Europe and the USA will be able to travel to England from amber countries without having to quarantine on arrival from 4am 2 August
• part of the second Global Travel Taskforce review, these latest changes will boost economy and make it easier for those vaccinated in Europe or USA to return to the England and unite with family and friends
• updates include restart of international cruise sailings and bespoke testing programmes for certain groups of workers

The UK government has today (28 July 2021) announced that passengers arriving from amber countries who have been fully vaccinated in Europe ( EU Member States, European Free Trade Association countries and the European microstate countries of Andorra, Monaco and Vatican City) and the USA will not have to quarantine when entering England, as part of a range of new measures designed to continue to drive forward the reopening of international travel, set out as part of the second Global Travel Taskforce checkpoint review .

From 4am 2 August 2021, passengers who are fully vaccinated in the EU with vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency ( EMA ) or in the USA with vaccines authorised by the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ), or in the Swiss vaccination programme, will be able to travel to England without having to quarantine or take a day 8 test on arrival.

Amber arrivals who have been fully vaccinated in the USA and European countries will still be required to complete a pre-departure test before arrival into England, alongside a PCR test on or before day 2 after arrival. Separate rules will continue to apply for those arriving from France . Those vaccinated in the US will also need to provide proof of US residency. Passengers from all countries cannot travel to the UK unless they have completed a passenger locator form .

Following the close monitoring of epidemiological evidence, gained through the restart of the domestic cruise industry earlier this year, the UK government has also confirmed the go ahead for international cruise sailings to restart from England in line with Public Health England guidance. International cruise travel advice will be amended to encourage travellers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad.

To further support the safe restart of international cruise travel, the government and cruise industry have signed a breakthrough memorandum of understanding ( MOU ) to help the industry build back from COVID-19 while protecting British nationals from future pandemic-related disruption.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

We’ve taken great strides on our journey to reopen international travel and today is another important step forward. Whether you are a family reuniting for the first time since the start of the pandemic or a business benefiting from increased trade – this is progress we can all enjoy. We will of course continue to be guided by the latest scientific data but thanks to our world-leading domestic vaccination programme, we’re able to look to the future and start to rebuild key transatlantic routes with the US while further cementing ties with our European neighbours.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Our vaccination programme is building a wall of defence against this virus so we can safely enjoy our freedoms again, with 7 in 10 adults in the UK now double jabbed. By reopening quarantine-free travel for travellers who have been fully vaccinated in European countries and the USA , we’re taking another step on the road to normality which will reunite friends and families and give UK businesses a boost.

We are also relaxing the testing requirements for certain critical workers, who by the nature of their work do not mix with the public or leave their vehicles helping free up running times by removing undue burdens.

All measures announced today will be kept under review and be guided by the latest data. Public health remains our top priority, and we will not hesitate to act should the data show that countries risk ratings have changed.

Travel continues to be different this summer, and while some restrictions remain in place passengers should expect their experience to be different and may face longer wait times than they are used to – although the government is making every effort to speed up queues safely. We will continue to rollout upgrades to our e-gates over the summer to automate checks for health requirements, with many e-gates already in operation and more to be added over the coming months to increase automated checks on passengers at airports.

If travelling abroad, you should continue to take the steps to keep safe and prepare in case things change before you go or while you are there. Check the booking terms and conditions on flexibility and refunds and subscribe to FCDO travel advice updates to understand the latest entry requirements and COVID-19 rules at their destination.

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Everything you need to know about London travel disruption this week

From reduced Overground services to Central Line closures on the weekend, here’s all the essential info you need for stress-free travel in the capital

Following strikes on the DLR last week and the closure of five tube lines at the weekend , we’re set for another week of travel disruption in London . Not only did the RMT vote to continue striking for (at least) the next six months but a slew of bus strikes were announced for dates stretching across both November and December .

This week, both the Central Line and DLR will see suspended services, while parts of the Overground, Northern Line and Piccadilly Line are set to see partial closures or reduced services. Here’s everything you need to know about planned interruptions to TfL rail operations in the capital for the seven days from today (November 13). 

Central Line

On Saturday November 18 , no service between Marble Arch and Ealing Broadway from 2am to 5am.

From Saturday November 18 at 5am through to the end of Sunday November 19 , no services between North Acton and West Ruislip / Ealing Broadway

On  November 18 and 19 , no service between Bank / Tower Gateway / Stratford and Lewisham / Canning Town.

On November 13, 14, 15 and 16 , no service between Hackney Downs and Chingford after 10:45pm. Replacement buses will operate

On November 19 , no services between Gospel Oak and Stratford until 1:45pm. Also no services between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction after 10:15pm, and no services between Camden Road and Stratford after 10:15pm.

Northern Line

Kentish Town station  is closed until summer 2024.

Piccadilly Line

South Ealing station  is closed  westbound until mid-December . Eastbound trains run as usual, so westbound travellers are advised to go eastbound to Acton Town before coming back westbound.

Waterloo and City Line

Service operating between 6am and 12:30am only every day. No services on Saturdays, Sundays and public/bank holidays.

Bus strikes

On November 13, several bus routes (mostly in west London) will be impacted by strike action. The 13, 23, 28, 218, 295, 414, 452 and N28 routes will not be running from 5am on November 13 to 6am on November 14.  Find out more about the bus strikes here . 

For to-the-minute updates,  check the Transport for London website here .

Here is  everything you need to know about train strikes and industrial action in London .

Stay in the loop: sign up for our  free Time Out London newsletter  for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

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London Travel

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'Severe rail disruption' expected this weekend due to staff shortages

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London’s king’s cross station forced to close due to overcrowding, how eurostar passengers can avoid manual checks of tickets and passports, london city airport's bid to end 24-hour flight curfew rejected by council, heathrow security guards stage fresh strike over pay, ulez expansion: everything you need to know, how will saturday's rail strike affect train services to and from london, natural history museum is most visited indoor uk attraction for second year, passenger slams 'outrageous' flybe after company enters administration, heathrow passenger left with 'horrendous injuries' in row over pushing seat back, workers on london’s elizabeth line to strike in january, christmas flights axed for thousands of british airways passengers.

Latest travel news, updates, deals and reviews including information about flights from Heathrow AIrport , Gatwick Airport , London City Airport, Stansted Airport and Luton Airport. You'll also find travel features for UK holidays including beaches and seaside, market towns, pretty villages as well as European travel features to locations including Amsterdam, Spain, Italy, Croatia, France and more. We'll also bring you the latest on travel rules and Foreign Office warnings.

• The European city only 95 minutes from London that's more romantic than Paris
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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Drones to fly blood over London in emergencies in latest NHS trial

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London traffic is so bad that one major hospital will soon use drones to ferry urgent blood samples its lab.

It takes van or motorbike couriers more than half an hour to drive between Guy’s Hospital and the testing lab at St Thomas’ Hospital, part of the same NHS trust.

Drones can complete the journey in just two minutes, so the trust is launching a six-month trial this autumn, with potential expansion in the future.

They’ll start with blood samples from surgical patients who are at high risk of complications from bleeding disorders.

Professor Ian Abbs, chief executive at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: ‘The drone pilot combines two of our key priorities – providing the best possible patient care and improving sustainability.

‘We are proud to be the first trust in London to trial this innovative approach to help speed up blood sample analysis for our most urgent cases.’

If that proves effective, drone could be rolled out for other types of deliveries and at other hospitals.

The pilot scheme, regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority, is being run alongside healthcare logistics company Apian and drone delivery company Wing.

Sophie O’Sullivan, director of future of flight at the Civil Aviation Authority, said: ‘Innovative trials like this from Guy’s and St Thomas’, Apian and Wing help demonstrate the many positive and safe ways that drones can be used for society – in this case, to improve patient outcomes and deliver significant environmental benefits.’

Dr Hammad Jeilani, co-founder of Apian, said: ‘Drones can increase the responsiveness and resilience of healthcare logistics, allowing clinicians to be more productive and patients to get the care they need sooner.

‘An NHS drone delivery network in London, starting with this innovative trial, will provide on-demand, automated and sustainable deliveries, helping the NHS create more efficient models of working and our doctors and nurses to deliver the highest quality care for patients.’

Drones have been proven safe for medical deliveries in previous NHS trials.

They were used to deliver blood stocks between hospitals in one recent project run by NHS Blood and Transplant.

Tests found no significant difference between the clinical viability of ‘red blood cell components’ sent by road and by air between Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Wansbeck Hospital and Alnwick Infirmary and back again.

A similar trial for blood platelets is being planned.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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US issues travel advisory, warn of terror threat in Kenya

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman. PHOTO/COURTESY: Twitter/@USAmbKenya

The American embassy in a security alert issued on Friday advised their citizens to be on the lookout for potential kidnappings and attacks on areas frequented by tourists. 

Citing the past attacks such as the West Gate attack and the Israel attack by Hamas, the US government noted that terrorists may seek to mark the anniversary and thus the need to exercise caution.

“Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners and tourists,” stated the US embassy. 

“While attacks can occur at any time, concerns are heightened in proximity to anniversaries of prior terrorist attacks, such as September 11th, the September 21st Westgate Mall attack, and the October 7th Hamas attack against Israel.”

The US detailed that acts of terror occur with no warning hence the need to be vigilant at all times. 

Places frequented by foreigners were also highlighted to be targets of terrorists. It was also explained that the security alert was informed by the terror attack anniversaries that are being observed across the globe.

Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets. 

Following the advisory, the Embassy listed actions that ought to be taken as a precaution including avoiding crowded areas, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners. 

US citizens were also called upon to review their local security plans and always monitor the media for updates and alerts. 

"Due to the risk of terrorism from groups based in Somalia, FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) advises against all but essential travel to: within 60km of Kenya’s border with Somalia, Eastern Garissa County, up to 20km north-west of the A3 road, including the Boni National Reserve and Mandera County, excluding Mandera West sub-county," states the UK on its website.

Also flagged is Lamu County, excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island and Tana River County north of the Tana River.

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The Perfect Couple’s glamorous filming locations revealed

Here are the picture book-like towns and beaches that serve as the exquistite backdrop for netflix’s latest drama series, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

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A new ‘whodunnit’ drama miniseries has just landed on Netflix , loaded with twists, secrets and deception as a high-flying, wealthy US family tries to untangle what happened the night before a grand wedding, after one member of the party was found dead.

The Perfect Couple stars Nicole Kidman as the perfectly-groomed Greer Garson Winbury, an aloof best-selling author who is hosting the wedding of her son, Benji, at their decadent family mansion on Nantucket , the American island that, in real life, has a rich past of hosting billionaires in their summer residences and on private beaches . However, most of the filming actually took place in Cape Cod, just a few hours away on the mainland.

Plans for the big day change after a body is found washed up in the slow-rolling waves on the mansion’s beach early in the morning. The death sees an investigation by detectives into whether the victim died at the hands of someone else, and if so, who? As each member of the wedding party endures the police interrogations, more than one family secret comes to the surface.

Based on the novel by author Elin Hilderbrand, known as “the queen of the beach reads”, the Netflix adaption transports viewers to a world of serene coastline settings, exclusivity, and opulence.

Here is all you need to know about the glorious New England backdrop to the new binge-worthy series laced with cliffhangers and captivating landscapes.

Read more on USA travel:

• Why you should summer in Cape Ann, Massachusetts’ laid-back ‘Other Cape’
• The best beaches in the US
• Boston on a budget: How to cut the cost of a visit to New England’s largest city

Where is ‘The Perfect Couple’ filmed?

Nantucket, massachusetts.

For Hildebrand, who created the Winbury’s world in her novel of the same name, something that was at the story’s core was its setting in Nantucket, a tiny island with a string of sandy, dune-backed beaches sitting off the coast of Massachusetts, USA.

The author told Tudum that the most important thing in the adaptation of her novel was that “Nantucket was done correctly.”

“I wanted the essence of Nantucket, which is sort of understated ease and entitlement of the place, to come across. And I’m sure it does because I’ve read the scripts,” she said.

Nantucket was not just the setting for the murder mystery; in fact, it was described by the season’s showrunner, Jenna Lamia. as one of the “main characters”, highlighting how a New England summer, complete with white-panelled mansions, private beaches and mid-century interiors, was essential to the storytelling.

The island is around 30 miles south of Cape Cod, with a large number of its buildings being seasonal residences that families or tourists usually enjoy in the summer months.

Nantucket has a long maritime history realted to the whaling industry, immortalised in the Whaling Museum; the island served as a partial setting and inspiration for Herman Melville’s novel, Moby-Dick.

Now, it is well-known for being a tranquil haven and an idyllic island paradise, serving those who visit coastal hotels, exquisite seafood eateries, little boutiques and summer temperatures in the mid-twenties.

The limited transportation to and from the island would be too hard for Netflix’s large production team and cast to navigate, so they settled on the equally picturesque Cape Cod.

The producers still captured various elements of the island, such as featuring Greer’s latest novel at Mitchell’s Book Corner bookshop, the Brotherhood of Thieves restaurant and the tall ship Lynx , moored in the Nantucket harbour.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

The production team said it was not hard at all to make the seaside town of Chatham look like that of the exclusive neighbourhood the Winburys would live in.

Found at the southeastern tip of Cape Cod, Chatham was used as the filming location for the Winbury’s fictional Summerland estate, a private property in the Eastward Point neighbourhood on the coast, also known to several family homes complete with private beaches facing out to Pleasant Bay, according to the Cape Cod Times .

Other areas of Chatham were also used to capture the wealth and glamour essence of a New England backdrop, such as Eastward Point’s beach and the private members Chatham Beach and Tennis Club , which can be found on Lighthouse Beach, reports House & Garden.

Elwood’s Raw Bars, a seafood eatery in Chatham, was redecorated on the outside to serve as the Nantucket Police Department headquarters, where many interrogations went down during the twisty thriller. The town is known for its pristine beaches, circular coves and spectacular wildlife , with the Monomy Natural Wildlife Refuge that encompasses a haven for migrating birds, harbour seals and sharks.

The centre of Chatham has kept its historic charm, with its Main Street lined with bright white wooden buildings, charming boutiques that have established the town’s prominent shopping reputation, and high-end eateries.

Like its Nantucket neighbour, Chatham also has its roots in the fishing industry, and still has a thriving fishing village that coexists alongside Chatham’s stylish neighbourhoods. A trip down to Chatham Lighthouse on the beach will complete any maritime-fuelled experiences in the town.

‘The Perfect Couple’ is available to stream on Netflix now.

Read more: Where is Emily in Paris filmed? How to visit every instagrammable location from each season

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Live updates as police shut four Stoke-on-Trent roads

We'll bring you the very latest as it happens

• Updated 14:48, 16 SEP 2024

Police have this morning shut four Stoke-on-Trent roads. Police cars were initially blocking Swan Square, in Burslem - from Burslem lights to the junction with the George Hotel.

But the cordon has since been extended as far as the Queens Theatre, on Scotia Road. Parts of Market Place and Moorland Road have also been closed by police.

Traffic monitoring system Inrix states: "There has been an accident on the A50 Swan Square in both directions at the B5051 Market Place."

StokeonTrentLive has approached Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service for statements following this unfolding incident. Any witnesses can call the police on 101.

This is a live blog. For the very latest developments in this incident follow our live blog below.

• Collision investigators brought in 12:21

Roads back open

Inrix is reporting the roads are now back open.

We are still awaiting a statement from Staffordshire Police.

Photos from the scene

Collision investigators brought in.

The latest from the scene. Collision investigators are currently in Burslem where a cordon is now preventing pedestrians from walking across the crossroads.

Full story here.

Video: Police in Burslem

How traffic is being diverted.

As it stands traffic heading towards Burslem from Scotia Road is being diverted down Market Place. Traffic is backing up past Dimensions.

Those travelling down Moorland Road are being set along Hamil Road. Meanwhile Waterloo Road traffic is unable to access the main junction and is using alternatives such as Pitt Street West and Zion Street (depending where they are trying to reach).

Police have closed Scotia Road

Police have closed Market Place

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Money blog: Supermarket giant announces Boxing Day closures; hugely popular UK district plotting tourist tax

The Money blog is your place for personal finance and consumer news. Every Monday we answer a reader's Money Problem, and we can help you too. Tell us your problem in the box below - just make sure you include your email address or we won't be able to contact you.

Monday 16 September 2024 19:01, UK

• It's a big week for your money - what you need to know
• Hugely popular UK district plotting tourist tax
• Supermarket giant announces Boxing Day closures
• Money Problem: 'My holiday cottage was cancelled with 24 hours' notice'

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By Dan Whitehead , West of England and Wales correspondent

The number of second homes being put up for sale in one part of Wales has increased by more than 250% - as homeowners and businesses criticise the Welsh government's council tax premium.

Many councils in Wales now charge an inflated tax rate for second homes, up to 300%, with the aim of freeing up rarely used housing stock for locals and generating income.

In Pembrokeshire, the council tax premium increased to 200% in April, trebling the cost for homeowners and leading to many selling up.

Figures show that this July 135 second homes were listed for sale in the county, a rise of 255% compared to the 38 on the market at the same time last year.

Despite the influx of listings, actual sales are at a record low.

Estate agent Hamptons says second home sales accounted for just 4.5% of sales in Pembrokeshire in the first six months of 2024 - compared to 21% a decade ago.

Local agents say the properties coming onto the market are too expensive for first-time buyers - and that many homes are being listed in a loophole to avoid the increased tax.

Read the rest of Dan's report here:

Workers should still receive pensions from their employers, even if they don't pay into it themselves, a leading thinktank has said.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has proposed employees should receive an employer pension of at least 3% of total pay, irrespective of whether they also contribute (currently you have to pay in to qualify for your employer to match you - the amount they contribute depends on the company).

But the proposed change would particularly benefit women, part-time workers, young adults and lower earners, it was suggested.

It could also benefit 22% of private sector employees who either opt out of their pension scheme, or who are not automatically enrolled due to their earnings being too low.

The age range targeted by automatic enrolment should also be widened from 22 to state pension age to 16 to 74 to try and help more people in paid work save for later life.

The IFS has also suggested default employee contributions should be targeted at people on average incomes and above, to help middle and higher earners better supplement their state pension.

For example, the IFS has suggested a 12% default contribution rate of earnings above £35,000.

Less than half of private sector employees who save into a workplace pension contribute more than 8% of their earnings, researchers said.

Our business presenter Ian King  investigated the retirement crisis facing the country earlier this summer - read his analysis here:

A scenic reservoir that went viral during the pandemic has gone up for sale (once again) and could be yours for £25,000...

Brombil Reservoir in Margam, Neath Port Talbot, saw a surge in visitors during COVID after millions viewed it on a TikTok about the UK's hidden gems.

In 2023 it first went up for sale for £75,000.

Speaking to the BBC at the time, estate agent Robin James said: "It's a one-off, to be honest, it's not something that's ever come up in the 24 years that I've been here."

Well, far from being a one-off, it appears to have spent more time on the market than off.

With a guide price equivalent to an average home in the area, it seems the sale didn't go as planned and its new owners put it back on the market (reportedly an hour after buying it).

The land was put back on the market on 27 February this year at £30,000 and was bought for half that on 11 March, according to the BBC.

Now it has a new guide price, of between £20,000 and 25,000.

But while it may seem cheaper than buying a house, it's not without its liabilities.

Samantha Price, who handled the sale for Watts & Morgan, told the BBC in March: "Brombil is actually high risk, because it is above residential units, so it's quite important that those items on that report are done within the set criteria."

Expedia has launched its first loyalty programme in the UK. 

The One Key scheme is available for free for travellers who book flights, holiday homes, hotels, car rentals and activities on the travel website as well as Hotels.com and Vrbo. 

It works by allowing you to earn a percentage of the programme's reward currency, called OneKeyCash, on purchases. 

You can also earn the currency with most airline loyalty programmes, meaning you can get the rewards and still claim your frequent flier miles.

£1 of OneKeyCash equals a £1 discount on eligible bookings. 

The amount you earn on each booking depends on whicj one of the four tiers you are on. 

You move through the tiers by booking more trip elements, e.g. flights, rental cars and hotels. 

With each higher tier, you can access better savings. 

The tiers are: 

• Blue members - save 10% or more with member prices.
• Silver members - five trip elements per year - access to savings of 15% or more; earn rate can reach 3% in OneKeyCash for stays at VIP access properties, plus a perk like food and beverage extras. 
• Gold members - 15 trip elements per year - save 20%; earn rate can reach 4% in OneKeyCash for stays at VIP access properties; a perk like food and beverage extras and room upgrades.
• Platinum members - 30 trip elements per year  - access to savings of 20% or more; earn rate up to 6% in OneKeyCash for stays at VIP access properties; perks like food and beverage extras and room upgrades. 

Here's an example: A family of five staying five nights in a holiday home, flights and a car for five days would equal 15 trip elements. This would then unlock Gold status. 

Or, a 10-night family holiday in a hotel, with flights, a rental car for 10 days, four activities and one airport transfer would equate to 30 elements, which would unlock Platinum status.

VIP access properties are stays that consistently receive high guest reviews on Expedia and meet the sites' quality standards. 

Your membership tier resets each calendar year. The smallest booking fee you are able to gain rewards on is £20. 

Your OneKeyCash will not expire as long as you earn or use it at least once in 18 months. 

It might be too soon to be talking about Christmas, but this is a bit of an early present for some retail workers...

More than 300 John Lewis and Waitrose stores will remain closed on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, despite the holiday being seen as a lucrative day for retailers.

It comes as there has been a growing call to give retail staff the time off over the festive period, with Home Bargains set to close all of its branches on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Big brands, including Wilko and The Range, closed their stores on the 26 December last year, so there is potential for more to follow suit again this year.

Some premium Waitrose sites attached to petrol stations will remain open, and as well as the John Lewis in Trafford and Stratford shopping centre. 

The boss of Octopus Energy has said suppliers should "be helpful" to elderly people losing their winter fuel payments.

Greg Jackson, who founded Octopus in 2016, said while some people were receiving it who didn't need it, "there's grey area of people losing it that need it - that's where we can help".

Winter fuel payments will now be restricted to just those receiving pension credits, which means about 10 million people will lose out this winter. About 11.5 million people previously received it.

The government argues it is right to means-test the benefit, worth up to £300, in order to tackle what it calls a “black hole” in the public finances.

But it has prompted outcry, including from some Labour MPs, with critics pointing out that pension credit only tops up income to £11,300 a year for individuals, meaning many who do not qualify could still struggle to pay bills.

Mr Jackson, who has been vocal in his support for previous Labour policies, said: "In these transition periods, it's easy for people to kick and scream.

"Alternatively, companies and others can say: 'How do we make this work in a way that is best for Britain and, in our case, best for our customers?'"

He added that the government has got to "make difficult decisions. So now let's be helpful in making sure that when you make those decisions, we can look after the people who will be worst affected."

However, ministers should keep a "close eye on the impact" of the policy if this winter is colder than usual, Mr Jackson said, and be "ready to act" if more support is needed.

Last year, his company's UK energy retail arm took on £69m of costs to lower customer bills.

The comments come just weeks before energy bills are due to get more expensive, after Ofgem increased the quarterly price cap, meaning bills are set to increase an average of £149 from October.

The average price tag on a home has jumped by nearly £3,000 this month, according to Rightmove.

Across Britain, the typical price being asked for a home coming on to the market increased by 0.8% or £2,974 to reach £370,759.

The price increase has come because the housing market in general appears to be recovering - compared to where it was this time in 2023.

Mortgage rates have been edging down, property choice has grown and earnings are rising faster than inflation and house price growth, all contributing to a market rebound.

Rightmove said the average property is still taking 60 days to find a buyer, which is three days longer than at this time last year, suggesting that buyers are taking their time to find the right home at the right price.

This means homeowners shouldn't let the increased activity make them feel over-optimistic and should still price competitively to sell their homes.

By James Sillars , business reporter

The focus of financial markets this morning is firmly on the US central bank.

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates for the first time since early 2020 on Wednesday, signalling a long-awaited drop in borrowing costs ahead.

The easing in the inflation crisis, which was largely caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and a slowdown in US growth is allowing the Fed to move.

But investors are increasingly pondering whether the rate-setting committee will opt for a bigger cut than the 0.25 percentage point reduction most had initially expected.

They cite data suggesting US rate policy is too restrictive given weakening economic fundamentals.

The effective split in market opinion over a 0.5 percentage point reduction pushed the dollar down against major currencies. It was trading a third of a cent lower versus the pound at $1.31.

As for stock markets, the FTSE 100 and US futures showed a fairly muted start to the week amid market closures for public holidays in China and Japan.

The FTSE was four points lower in early deals. Miners saw the main declines.

Analysts credited renewed economic weakness in China revealed in data over the weekend.

The Scottish Highlands could become the latest place in the UK to introduce a tourist tax.

If implemented, it would allow hotels, B&Bs, campsites and holiday lets in the hugely popular mountainous region to charge overnight guests an additional fee.

The money would be used by local councils to reinvest in services and facilities largely used by tourists and business visitors.

Last year, politicians in Scotland took the first step towards tourist taxes after passing the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill which allows councils that want to introduce a visitor levy to do so, after consultation with local communities, businesses and tourism organisations.

Highlands Council plans to start its three-month consultation later this year - with a price for the tax yet to be determined.

"Tourism is one of our most important sectors and the levy would form an essential part of how we sustain, maintain and develop the services and infrastructure which the sector relies on," Inverness councillor Ken Gowans said in favour of the tax.

"The upcoming consultation will give everyone the opportunity to put forward their views on how a levy scheme should operate and what the proceeds should be spent on."

The Highlands - which made National Geographic's Best of the World list last year - attracts millions of tourists annually and lays claim to hotspots such as Ben Nevis, Loch Ness and John o' Groats.

Various other UK cities have already implemented additional visitor fees, including Manchester, which charges £1 a night on most paid accommodation establishments across the city.

A £2 per room per night additional fee was implemented across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole in July.

Under the Visitor Levy Bill, the earliest any form of tourist tax across Scotland could come into force would be spring 2026.

Every Monday we get an expert to answer your money problems or consumer disputes. Find out how to submit yours at the bottom of this post. Today's question is...

My holiday cottage cancelled my booking 24 hours before my holiday, there are no alternative options similar to what I booked for a similar price. Do they need to pay me for the extras of booking last minute? Dave

We asked Scott Dixon, AKA The Complaints Resolver , to answer this one...

The first thing you need to do is check the T&Cs and see what their cancellation policy is.

Do they allow a host to cancel a booking with only 24 hours' notice?

A trader cannot revoke a contract unless the T&Cs include a fair term that stipulates how and when they can do so - the Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects you here.

So are they in breach of contract?

If so, you can typically expect a full refund via the same payment method (you do not have to accept a credit note/vouchers), although that does not address the problem of finding alternative options comparable to what you booked at a similar price.

A refund would only cover the original price and any extras paid to restore you to the original position you would have been in before you entered into the contract.

If they won't give you a refund, as a last resort you can take your case to the Small Claims Court in England and Wales, or use the respective legal routes in  Scotland and Northern Ireland .

But again, legal action would only cover the original price you paid.

Go to third parties

If you booked the holiday cottage via a third-party listing site such as Airbnb, check their host cancellation policy. The listing site may levy penalties on the host if they have breached the cancellation policy.

If you booked it with a letting agent, you ought to be offered a full refund and possibly compensation. 

You could try and claim on any travel insurance policy you may have in place.

If you are struggling to get a refund, you can contact your bank or credit card provider within 120 days of payment and raise a chargeback to dispute the transaction.

Stress there has been a "breach of contract" under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, as chargebacks are often rejected on the first attempt.

Your bank or credit card provider will reverse the payment and give the holiday cottage provider an opportunity to present their case.

If you paid at least a deposit by credit card and the stay was more than £100 (likely to be the case), you can make a S75 claim under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 against the credit card provider who is jointly liable.

Again, you need to cite "breach of contract" under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and push hard on it.

One route to get the additional compensation you asked about

If your credit card provider or travel insurance provider rejects your claim, ask for a deadlock/final response letter so you can refer your complaint to the  Financial Ombudsman Service .

This usually means that they need to restore you to the position you were in before you entered into the contract and whether it is appropriate to award compensation for any distress or inconvenience caused.

This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about.  Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute via:

• The form above - you need to leave a phone number or email address so we can contact you for further details
• Email [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog"
• WhatsApp us  here

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