Thousands of runners, including a host of famous faces, crossed the London Marathon finish line on Sunday, amid warm temperatures, with many punching the air in triumph on the Mall. Among the notable participants were Wicked actor Cynthia Erivo and former England cricket captain Sir Alastair Cook.

Cynthia Erivo achieved a new personal best, completing the 26.2-mile course in approximately three hours and 21 minutes, significantly improving on her 2022 time of three hours and 35 minutes. After her arduous run, the Oscar-nominated star, visibly exhausted, was helped to a seat before speaking to the media.

Reflecting on her experience, Erivo shared: “There was a little rough moment where I thought it was never going to make it, but then I found a little bit of strength. I’m here, and I feel really proud.” Despite her early 5am start for the marathon, Erivo was scheduled to perform all 23 roles in Dracula at the Noel Coward Theatre in London on Monday evening. “It’s at 7.30pm, so I should be fine,” she quipped, adding: “I may be a little slower than usual.”

When asked about the potential for the London Marathon to be held over two days in the future, Erivo commented: “It would be amazing. I may be just watching next year, though.” She expressed her love for running, explaining that it allows her to “zone out” and “just be me”, providing a moment to “centre… I get to think about the things that I want to think about, zone out for a second, meditate for a second”.

The distinctive Peppa Pig theme tune heralded the arrival of children’s TV character Daddy Pig at the finish line, accompanied by “The Body Coach” Joe Wicks. The pair completed the course in five hours and 51 minutes, running in support of the National Deaf Children’s Society, following a storyline in Peppa Pig that revealed George Pig is moderately deaf.

Post-race, Wicks conveyed his immense pride in Daddy Pig, praising his dedication to training and his impressive performance despite the warm conditions. He noted the crowd’s reaction: “It’s lovely when people say ‘Joe!’ and give me a little cheer, but 99 per cent of it was ‘Daddy Pig, give us a wave!’, kids smiling, kids getting excited. So I rode off the energy of Daddy Pig today, and it was great.”

When questioned about other animated characters he might like to run alongside, Wicks responded: “Who can top Daddy Pig? There aren’t many people… maybe one day, when Peppa’s older, she might run with me as well.” He also addressed social media speculation regarding Daddy Pig’s identity, stating that while social media has been “great at stirring up conspiracies… Daddy Pig is a pig and that is it. There’s no human being involved”.

Sir Alastair Cook, upon finishing his race, declared the finish line as his favourite part. “Apart from that, just seeing the number of people that come out,” he added. He found a moment of personal joy at the 20-mile mark: “I’d just say, seeing my little boy (Jack) and my family at around about the 20-mile mark, it didn’t inspire me to run any faster, because I was done, but it was nice to see his face.”

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Comparing the marathon to his cricketing career, Sir Alastair remarked: “Cricket’s easy. When you’ve finished, when you’re not very good, you cash out and sit down. There’s no hiding place here.”

Other notable finishers on Sunday included BBC broadcaster Sophie Raworth, F1 driver Sebastian Vettel, former Arsenal and Wales footballer Aaron Ramsey and former British women’s tennis No 1 Laura Robson.

Fire crews raced to the home on Sunday afternoon.

A huge fire has torn through a house near Aberdeen. Emergency services were called to a property on Coronation Road in Peterculter, on the outskirts of Aberdeen, at around 2pm on Sunday.

Footage of the blaze showed thick black smoke billowing from the front door of the house and rising through the property’s roof. Sirens could be heard in the distance as neighbours stood watching on the pavement in disbelief.

A number of fire crews were sent to the scene and spent a few hours bringing the fire under control

It is unknown if anyone was injured in the blaze. The property is understood to have suffered significant damage.

Speaking to The Courier, one onlooker said: “The roof has caved in and the whole house seems to have been destroyed.

“I think firefighters are now trying to stop the fire from spreading into the neighbouring house.

“It must be horrible for the owners – a nightmare.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland were contacted for comment.

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A study by Age UK reveals that early experiences in physical education are discouraging thousands of people aged 50 to 65 from staying active.

The figures show half of people in the North West dreaded PE lessons in childhood, and more than half a million now feel put off sport for life as a result.

The findings come as part of Age UK’s new campaign, Act Now, Age Better, which aims to inspire midlifer’s to get active for a healthier later life.

Lauren McKechnie, chief executive of Age UK Bolton, said: “Being physically active is one of the most powerful things we can do for our health and happiness.

“It supports not only our physical wellbeing, but our mental health, independence, social connection and sense of purpose—benefits that ripple far beyond the individual.

“When people are supported to move more, everyone wins.”

Senior couple jogging in a park (Image: Getty Images)

The campaign brings together more than 40 national sport and activity partners, including British Cycling, Badminton England and England Netball, to help reintroduce exercise in a more inclusive and supportive way, reflecting changes over the past 30 to 40 years.

Age UK Bolton is backing the campaign and offering a variety of activities as part of its Strength and Balance programme and other community sessions.

Ms McKechnie added: “At Age UK Bolton, we have a specialist Strength and Balance offer, alongside a variety of community-based sessions—from gentle dance to tai chi—helping people to stay active in ways that feel accessible and enjoyable.

“What truly sets Bolton apart, however, is the strength of our partnership approach.”

She highlighted the charity’s work with Bolton Council, Active Bolton, and Bolton Wanderers in the Community to create a “broad, inclusive and accessible range of opportunities” for older adults.

She said: “Together, we are creating the conditions for people to stay well, connected and independent for longer.”

The research also found that 42 per cent of people in the target age group feel anxious about joining a sports group or class at their age.

However, there remains a high level of interest, with 23 per cent of midlifers saying they would be motivated by age-specific classes, 19 per cent wanting more beginner-only sessions, and 16 per cent interested in making new friends through activities.

Individuals engaging in a vibrant fitness session, performing dumbbell exercises in a well-lit gym, promoting health, endurance, and teamwork in a lively and motivational environment. (Image: Kaspi Creative Inc.)

The campaign features support from sports and media personalities including Dame Kelly Holmes, Sally Gunnell, Dame Denise Lewis, and Gabby Logan.

Dame Kelly Holmes said: “The benefits of sport and exercise are endless.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional athlete competing on a world stage, or a busy parent who has just managed to carve out a few hours for yourself one evening a week to head along to your local netball group.

“It’s about self-care, making new connections, feeling team spirit, supporting mental health, getting outside and feeling strong and capable for as long as possible.

“Age UK’s Act Now, Age Better campaign is a fantastic reminder of all those things and how important they can be for someone in midlife who is looking to increase their chances of living a better later life.

“It might feel like a small thing, or a task that can be shoved to the bottom of a never-ending to-do list, but trust me – it can make a world of difference.”

The campaign will run throughout the summer, with many partners offering free taster sessions and resources to help people try new activities in a welcoming environment.

More information about the Act Now, Age Better campaign can be found at www.ageuk.org.uk/actnow.

Rhiannon Wilkinson, head of Ashville College, is in the running for Headteacher of the Year (Independent) at the 2026 Tes Schools Awards, widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the education sector.

Her leadership has helped the college reach the Sunday Times Parent Power top 10 independent schools in the North.

Ms Wilkinson said: “Thanks to the home-grown skills and talents of all our staff and pupils, Ashville continues to grow, innovate and be forward-thinking.

“There is no shortage of inspiration in schools and their people across the UK, so I am thrilled that the Ashville name will be represented on the national stage at such prestigious awards.”

She is the only nominee in the North of England.

Ashville College also achieved record-breaking A-level results for the second consecutive year.

Greg Styles, Ashville College’s chairman of governors, said: “The combination of Rhiannon’s skills in strategic thinking and practical business innovation is something I have found to be quite unique in the education sector.

“Her visionary leadership has created the ‘new’ Ashville for the future, and she deserves to be recognised on the national stage.”

Cameron Norrie set up a first meeting with Jannik Sinner after battling into the fourth round of the Madrid Open.

While Norrie has faced Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic on multiple occasions, he oddly has never previously taken on world number one Sinner.

That will change at the Caja Magica on Tuesday when the British number one will bid to halt Sinner’s 19-match winning streak and make the quarter-finals in Madrid for the first time.

“I’ve never played him, which is crazy,” Norrie told Sky Sports. “I’m excited to play him but every time we practise he rips me up and smokes me.

“He’s really confident, probably the most confident player in tennis right now. I’m going to take it to him, I’m just going to play my game, play the ball in front of me.”

Having survived a near three-hour battle against Tomas Machac in the second round, Norrie managed to see off big-serving Argentinian Thiago Agustin Tirante in straight sets, coming through 7-5 7-6 (5).

“It was tricky,” said Norrie after the contest on the Caja Magica’s third court.

“I hadn’t played in the stadium courts yet, not even in practice, so it was a little bit different returning and it was tough to get the range.

“I had to go back because his serve was kicking so, so much. His first serve is an absolute rocket, as we expected, but I managed to dig deep when I needed to and played well in the big moments, and that was the difference.”

It was a contest of few chances but Norrie converted his third opportunity to break in the 12th game of the opening set with a backhand winner and then clinched his first match point in a nervy second-set tie-break.

Tirante, ranked 75, sent down a serve measured at 149 miles per hour in the sixth game but was unable to create any break points on the Norrie serve.

Man Utd youngster Shea Lacey scored in the U21s’ 3-2 win against Sunderland in the Premier League 2 playoff on Sunday.

Manchester United coach Adam Lawrence heaped praise on youngster Shea Lacey after his goal against Sunderland on Sunday. United’s Under-21s won 3-2 against Sunderland to seal their place in the Premier League 2 play-off quarter-finals.

Lacey scored United’s third goal of the game at Leigh Sports Village and had a hand in Jack Fletcher’s strike. The 19-year-old is now seen as a first-team player, but still drops down to U21 level for minutes.

Ruben Amorim handed Lacey his senior debut against Aston Villa in December, and the academy prospect was given two appearances from the bench by Darren Fletcher during his caretaker stint.

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U21 interim boss Lawrence spoke to the Manchester Evening News about Lacey’s display against Sunderland, saying: “I thought overall it was a really good performance. I think if you’re looking at Shea in this recent period, I think he’s playing with a lot of maturity.

“And you can see that training with the first-team players and being around their programme consistently is definitely helping him in a lot of areas of his game. His all-round performances today in terms of the consistency of his levels.

“There are always going to be a couple of bits around his decision-making and maybe being reliable in certain situations, but on the whole, I thought it was a really, really good performance. He got his goal, and he looked like a real threat at the top end of the pitch.”

Lacey has physically matured and has overcome a challenging period marked by minor injuries. “Credit to all the staff who work behind the scenes in terms of managing him, all the sports science and medical staff, just in terms of where he’s gotten himself to, and then naturally, he’s a young man and maturing all the time as well,” added Lawrence.

“Sometimes we forget he is a young man and he’s going through those years of growth. But in terms of that maturity, it’s something we’ve definitely seen an improvement with on and off the pitch, so hopefully he will continue to build on that and take confidence from it.”

Lawrence was pleased with his side’s display against Sunderland, but said there were lessons to be learned after the Mackems came back into the contest when United had a two-goal lead.

“Sunderland are a good side, and I thought they played some good stuff, but I think the biggest lesson in terms of the team stuff is when we’ve got those two goal leads, so we’ve gone 2-1 and we’ve gone 3-1 today, and we had that similar one with the Real Madrid game we were 2-0 up,” he said.

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“You then give the opposition moments and in terms of the decision-making and the quality of the moments, then you give the opposition an opportunity, they take it and then you turn the game edgy.

“So, in all honesty, in the last part of the game, they could have scored, and it could have gone to extra time. We’ve managed to see the game out and obviously get the win.

“But the biggest lessons, if we want to get to the right nitty-gritty of this, would be to eradicate those mistakes and make sure that when we’ve got that two-goal lead, or a healthy lead, that we make sure that we continue with that dominance and see the game out properly.”

AFTER much speculation in the media, upmarket bakery chain Gail’s has confirmed it is to open its first cafe in North Yorkshire.

As reported in The Press, Gail’s is poised to make its Yorkshire debut with a North Yorkshire cafe location in its sights.

Despite media speculation that the location might be in Knaresborough, the company has confirmed to The Press that is will open in Harrogate.

A Gail’s spokesperson said: “Gail’s is excited to confirm it is opening a new bakery in Harrogate later this year.

New jobs at Harrogate bakery

“The opening will bring Gail’s craft baking to the community, including creating a number of craft baking, barista, and management roles.

“We will also be donating surplus baked goods through our Neighbourly partnerships.

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities we serve and improving access to quality food and drink on the high-street.”

The premium bakery chain is currently looking for staff for its first cafe in North Yorkshire – roles for a bakery manager (salary at £42,000 pa), and an assistant manager (at £32,900) – both located in Harrogate – are currently listed on its own website and elsewhere online.

Gail’s Artisan Bakery which is coming to Harrogate

Gail’s began life in London in the1990s as a wholesale supplier to restaurants, before opening its first neighbourhood bakery cafe on Hampstead High Street in London in 2005.

The brand has since expanded rapidly – and continues to do so.

Positioning itself as a premium, mid‑range alternative in a market dominated by high‑street chains, Gail’s is known for handmade breads using natural ingredients and longer fermentation methods.

Menu options at Gail’s

The menu at Gail’s features a range of sourdough loaves, baguettes and pastries, alongside sweet treats such as buns and cookies, plus speciality coffees.

Inside a Gail’s bakery.

The well‑known business, which bakes fresh, handmade bread, pastries and cakes every day, operates more than 170 bakeries across the UK, with more expansions in the pipeline.

Current locations are primarily in London and the south east, including Oxford and Brighton, as well as Manchester and the surrounding area.

Its seasonal menu, listed on line, features six varieties of sourdough bread, and sweet treats including a malted chocolate and stout cake, chocolate tahini bite, and pecan crumb cake. The drinks menu boasts a range of match drinks and a turmeric latte.

Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has issued a grovelling apology after his violent assault on Jorge Pulido in the side’s clash with Huesca.

The shocking incident played out after Andrada was shown a second yellow card for shoving over Pulido on the touchline, with Huesca holding a narrow one-goal lead in the closing stages of the Spanish second-tier match.

The moment referee Damaso Arcediano Monescillo brandished his red card, Andrada completely lost his cool, sprinting back towards Pulido as tempers escalated in Sunday’s bad-tempered clash between the two relegation-threatened teams.

Footage of what happened next have gone viral across social media, with the Argentina international pictured swinging his right fist into an unsuspecting Pulido from behind, sparking a mass brawl between both sets of players.

Opposition goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende were also given their marching orders for the part they played in the melee at Huesca’s Estadio El Alcoraz.

Centre-back Pulido, formerly of Atletico Madrid, was later seen holding a large ice pack to the side of his face. It is unclear at this stage if the injuries the Spaniard sustained in the attack are serious.

Andrada, meanwhile, issued a statement in the aftermath of Zaragoza’s 1-0 defeat, insisting he was ‘very sorry’ and claiming he was ‘here to face the consequences with the league’.

‘The truth is, I’m very sorry for what happened,’ the 35-year-old – who has been capped four times by Argentina – said in a short video shared on Zaragoza’s social media pages.

‘It’s not a good image for the club, for the fans, or for a professional like myself, so I’m very sorry.

‘Throughout my career, I’ve only had one red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area.

‘It was a critical situation where I lost control and reacted that way, but I’m very sorry and I know I wouldn’t do it again.’

Andrada added: ‘I know I’m a public figure, a professional with many years of experience, and all I can do is apologise to Jorge Pulido because we’re colleagues.

‘Honestly, it was my own actions and I lost focus in that moment.

‘I’m here to face the consequences with the league, or if they want me to come and explain, I’m available.’

A separate statement from Zaragoza, who sit second-bottom in La Liga 2, ‘strongly condemned’ Andrada’s behaviour and vowed to ‘take the appropriate disciplinary measures’ in due course.

‘We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred,’ it read.

‘These events do not represent the values ​​of Real Zaragoza or its fans, who throughout its history have been characterised by sportsmanship, courage, and respect for the opponent.

‘We are role models and examples for many fans, especially children, who cheer us on at every match and aspire to one day become one of their idols.

‘That is why these regrettable images should never have been seen.’

Zaragoza manager David Narrarro added: ‘There are lines we can’t cross.’

Huesca head coach Jose Luis, meanwhile, stated: ‘It’s hard to explain. I think it’s a complete loss of control.

‘I can put myself in their shoes, given what was at stake and all. But it’s unjustifiable.

‘It’s ugly. This was supposed to be a celebration of Aragonese football. I’d like people to talk about the match, even though it was ugly, with little play but a lot of hard work.’

Oscar Sielva scored what proved to be the winning goal as 19th-placed Huesca clung on to move one point clear of Zaragoza in the Segunda Division table.

Andrada should expect to be slapped with a lengthy suspension and appears likely to miss the remaining five matches of Zaragoza’s desperate fight for survival.

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Wayne Rooney believes the return of Bukayo Saka will prove to be ‘absolutely huge’ to Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations.

Saka played his first game in almost a month on Saturday, coming on as a late substitute in Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle United.

That victory, inspired by Eberechi Eze’s early goal, saw Arsenal regain their place at the top of the Premier League as they chase a first league title since 2004.

Saka has been nowhere near his best this season, scoring just twice since December, but Rooney believes his timely return till be ‘massive’ for Arsenal.

‘Bukayo Saka has been great for Arsenal over the last few years – maybe this season he hasn’t hit the heights but he’s such an important player,’ Rooney said on his BBC podcast.

‘So to get him back at this time of the season is going to be massive, it’s going to be really important. He’s clearly one of the leaders in there so to have him back is huge.

‘An in-form Bukayo Saka is one of the best players in the Premier League, there’s no doubt about that.

‘It will help the other players as well, he has a really good connection with Jurrien Timber and the midfield players.

‘Having someone you know you can rely on out there is really important and all those Arsenal players know they can rely on Saka and know what he brings to the team.

‘It’s huge for Arsenal, absolutely huge.’

Arsenal are attempting to win the Premier League for the first time in 22 years after three successive second-place finishes.

Rooney believes ‘all the pressure’ is on Arsenal rather than title rivals Manchester City but still expects Mikel Arteta’s side to get over the line.

The Gunners have not been at this flowing best for weeks but Rooney believes Arsenal will benefit from having ‘easier’ fixtures than Man City.

‘I think Arsenal will win the title and I do think they will win it,’ Rooney added.

‘I thought the Newcastle game was so important and thought if they won that they could go on to win every game. If they didn’t they could have fallen apart but to win that game was so big.

‘Man City have a couple of tricky games in there and I can see them slipping up once or twice. Man City have the trickier fixtures, if you look at Arsenal’s last four games they are really winnable, all four of them.

‘The City ones, there’s a couple you think they could slip up, like Everton and Bournemouth. I give the edge to Arsenal based on the fixtures.

‘Man City’s fixtures are a little bit trickier than Arsenal’s – I think Arsenal will win every game and Man City will mess up once or twice.’

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TUI, easyJet and Jet2 have made pledges over fuel surcharges as the UK government issued guidance to travellers

Three airlines and tour operators have made significant announcements in the past 48 hours for travellers who have already booked holidays – as well as those still weighing up their options for 2026. On Friday, the government issued a statement to passengers across the UK amid growing fears over jet fuel shortages and potential flight cancellations.

Anxiety has been mounting that those with flights already booked – or considering travelling abroad – could be hit with hefty additional charges from carriers to cover rising fuel costs triggered by the Iran crisis. Now TUI, easyJet and Jet2 have all responded – confirming they will not be imposing any such fees.

Neil Swanson, Managing Director at TUI UK&I, said: “We understand that customers want both confidence and clarity when booking a holiday. Our teams are here to support people who are thinking about booking, and those who have already booked with TUI can be reassured that their holiday price is fixed, with no fuel surcharges added.”

easyJet has put out a fresh statement pledging that both the airline and its tour operator arm will not be adding surcharges to any pre-booked flights and package holidays, or future bookings. The company said holidaymakers can book with complete confidence thanks to its Best Price Guarantee and Ultimate Flexibility policy: “easyJet and easyJet holidays has confirmed that it will not introduce surcharges on its flights or package holidays, giving customers complete peace of mind when booking.

READ MORE: TUI issues update today, April 26, for passengers who have paid for holidaysREAD MORE: Airline easyJet gives major new update to all passengers with holidays

“No surcharges will apply to any pre‐booked easyJet holiday packages or to any new bookings for summer 2026.easyJet currently sees no disruption to its jet fuel supply and all flights and package holidays continue to operate normally.” Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet holidays, said: “We know that holidaymakers may have questions about what recent global events might mean for their travel plans this summer so we are giving our customers absolute peace of mind that no surcharges will be added to their flights or package holidays.

“Our operations remain unaffected, so customers can be confident that not only will their holiday go ahead as planned, but there will be no surprise extra payments, and they can enjoy their brilliant holidays at unbeatable prices.”

Jet2 has confirmed it won’t be adding surcharges to any pre-booked flights or holidays to cover rising costs, including those related to jet fuel. In an effort to calm growing anxiety, the Department for Transport on Friday released direct guidance to passengers with bookings through carriers including Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet and British Airways.

Jet2 has axed surcharge provisions across all its flights and holidays, despite the carrier never having previously imposed them. The policy encompasses all flights and holidays booked through any channel, be it online, via the mobile app, contact centre or independent travel agent. It does not cover tourist taxes, which are payable at the resort during the stay and are settled directly with the accommodation provider.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2. As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them. Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”

Dan Jorgensen, the EU energy commissioner last week said: “Unfortunately, it’s very likely that many people’s holidays will be affected, either by flight cancellations or very, very expensive tickets.

“Even if we do everything we can do, if the jet fuel is not there, then it’s not there. Jorgensen added: “[Currently] it is primarily a crisis of prices and not yet a crisis of supply, but unfortunately we cannot be sure to prevent a crisis of supply, especially on jet fuel in the future, if the crisis continues.””

In response, the Department for Transport said on Friday: “There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

“If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.”

Meanwhile, IAG – the parent company of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Spain’s Iberia – has referred to “pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs”. A spokesperson said: “We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy, which gives some shorter-term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact.”

Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK? DtT said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.”

Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK?

DtT said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.”

Do you need to change your travel plans?

Officials explained: “There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.

“We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.

“We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.”

How is the government protecting passengers?

Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:

• depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
• arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
• arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline

For more information about your rights, you can:

What is government doing?

The UK Government said: “Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported.

“We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.”

How are airlines being supported?

In terms of carriers the DfT said: “At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land.

“Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.

“Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.

“This means airlines can focus on minimising disruption for passengers, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.”