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Visit England Business Advice Hub

How to grow your tourism business for free.

VisitBritain/VisitEngland’s relaunched Business Advice Hub provides free resources to help England tourism businesses to grow.

On the updated Hub you can…

• Learn how to get international-ready and reach overseas markets effectively
• Get top tips on digital marketing
• Understand your legal obligations as an accommodation business
• Find local support specific to your area
• Explore case studies of real-life businesses…and more.

As well as Covid-19, topics currently covered on the Hub are:

Start your business

The key target markets in your destination, guidance on the practicalities of setting up a new business and where to get help from mentors.

Find funding

Funding options for your business and guidance on managing finances more effectively to maximise your profit margins.

Know your legal obligations

On what grounds you can refuse a booking, what licences you need to provide TVs and how to comply with health & safety regulations. You can also buy a printed copy of the popular Pink Book: legislation for tourist accommodation.

Understand health and safety

Your legal responsibilities, how to run a safe business and create a Fire Risk Assessment using a free online tool.

Make your business accessible

Guidance, tools and resources to help you provide access for all – and gain a share of a £12 billion market. You can also create an Accessibility Guide for your businesses using a free online tool.

Make your business sustainable

How to save money, reduce your impact and win more customers with practical sustainability tips and case studies.

Employ and manage staff

Step-by-step guides to finding and employing staff, guidance on managing employees and information on apprenticeships.

Find training

Training courses for you and your staff on customer service, digital skills and inclusion.

Get quality assessed

How to get an official star rating or accreditation for your business from the national tourist board.

Enter the Awards for Excellence

How to apply for one of the highest accolades in English tourism – the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

Market your business

VisitEngland/VisitBritain marketing opportunities, our Digital Marketing Toolkit and best practice communication guides.

Attract international visitors

Guidance to help your business get ‘international ready’, including extensive research on overseas markets and our Inbound Tourism Toolkit .

Find local support

An online tool that tells you who your local Destination Organisation (local tourist board) and Growth Hubs are.

Explore the Hub now at www.visitengland.org/businessadvice

Industry groups and bodies

Find out about a range of industry groups and organisations here .

Prepare your business for Brexit

Key information concerning how tourism businesses could be affected by Brexit is available from the UK Government.

Do you want to extend your season, obtain loyal customers and gain a share of a £12 billion market? Find guidance, tools and resources to help you provide access for all.

Dementia-friendly tourism

Read a practical guide for businesses from VisitEngland.

How to be dementia-friendly

• Grow your tourism business Helping your tourism business to grow - with practical tips, legal obligations and local support. click to visit the Advice Hub

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Give your business a boost

We offer expert advice, support and assessments for tourism and hospitality businesses

What are we all about?

Recognising and celebrating excellence in tourism and hospitality across england.

At VisitEngland Assessment Services, we want to help you give your business a boost to meet the highest quality standards and increase visitor satisfaction. Our VisitEngland Quality Assessors are industry professionals and will assess your business against an agreed set of quality standards to ensure consistency against other businesses in your sector.

Your VisitEngland accreditation will tell your visitors at a glance that your business has been independently verified by the National Tourist Board and meets a high standard of quality. Our focus is on helping tourism businesses across England to maximise their potential, stand out amongst the competition, and champion the accreditations we award.

Achieve VisitEngland accreditation through participation in our quality schemes

What you’ll get when you join one of our quality schemes.

How to become a participant of a quality scheme.

Advisory assessments

Speak to an assessor about improvements to your business.

Accreditation

Understand what our accreditations say about your business.

Get started – join a scheme today!

Please fill the below form to download.

Blog Companies House

https://companieshouse.blog.gov.uk/2021/12/03/business-support-helpline-supporting-and-celebrating-small-business/

Business Support Helpline: supporting and celebrating small business

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had, and is still having, a huge impact on the lives of people worldwide. Almost everyone has been affected, whether that’s in a domestic or commercial capacity, or even both. The impact on business has been huge and the business support landscape has had to change dramatically and quickly to support this.  

At the Business Support Helpline, we’ve been at the forefront of supporting anyone with a business need throughout the pandemic. Delivering a contract on behalf of the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) , covering England, we offer a multi-channel service, providing free advice and information.   

For business based in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, you can  get advice and financial help from other government-backed schemes .  

Supporting businesses throughout the pandemic

Recognising the impact the global pandemic would have on business, a decision was made by BEIS that our resource to support business would need to increase to cope with a rise in demand.  A rapid expansion plan was prepared quickly.

As well as having available staffing resources it was important for advisers to have access to accurate and current information that we could signpost business enquiries to. A dedicated COVID-19 response team was set up to provide this and a great working relationship was formed between all parties involved.

It was not long before we found ourselves in the depths of delivering business support. Whether businesses were looking for funding, looking for support with implementing new health and safety measures, or looking for help with understanding newly introduced regulations, they were relying on us. In fact, in March 2020 alone, we dealt with a record number of 23,070 contacts, all from businesses across England that had queries relating to COVID-19.

We continued to work extremely closely with BEIS and their dedicated COVID-19 response team.  They made sure we had the most current information published by central government and gave us comprehensive overviews of government schemes, such as:

• the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
• the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme
• the Local Restrictions Support Grant
• the Discretionary Grant Fund

This meant we were able to signpost businesses to the relevant packages of support.

On a more interpersonal level, a lot of the businesses that we spoke to throughout the pandemic were in crisis. As well as the huge impact on business, we recognised the impact this was having on individuals. Some were tired, worried, and suffering emotionally.

We recognised that these businesses were more than just bricks and mortar and numbers on a spreadsheet. These businesses belonged to real people who at times, just needed an empathetic ear to be at the other end of the phone. Someone to speak to and someone to listen. Through recognising these things, we were able to highlight and signpost individuals to personal support delivered by charities such as Mind , the Samaritans , and Citizens Advice .

Almost 2 years have passed since the first case of COVID-19 was reported. Over the last couple of months we have experienced a refreshing reduction in the volumes of COVID-19 related enquiries. But we’ve also received many more enquiries from individuals who throughout the pandemic have had a change in work circumstances and are looking to start their own businesses.

If you want to speak with the Business Support Helpline, contact us by phone on 0800 998 1098.

Small Business Saturday

It’s great to take the opportunity to celebrate both the contribution of small businesses to the UK, and the overwhelming support from the public throughout the pandemic. One event that does this is Small Business Saturday UK . Held this year on 4 December, this grassroots, non-commercial campaign celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to 'shop local' and to support businesses in their communities.

Now in its ninth year, Small Business Saturday is the UK's most successful small business campaign, which last year saw a record-breaking £1.1 billion spent with small businesses across the UK on the day, according to estimates.

This year the campaign is calling on the nation to share a ‘big thank you’ with small firms to recognise their vital role throughout the pandemic.  As small firms face different challenges to get back on their feet, support from the public can make a huge impact in helping these small, independent firms who are at the heart of our communities and have been vital to getting us through the pandemic.

Upon reflection, the last 2 years have no doubt been a learning curve for us all. Despite the uncertainties that businesses have faced this far and despite the challenges that might arise for businesses in the future, here at the Business Support Helpline we'll continue to be supportive and signpost businesses in the direction of the resources that they need.

As well as taking on responsibility for your company’s filing obligations, by becoming a director you agree to take on a range of further legal duties.

Our directors’ toolkit includes some useful links and digital tools to help you understand more about your role and responsibilities as a company director.

Tags: Small Business Saturday

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Visitbritain/visitengland announces it is opening a new hub office in birmingham, from april 2024.

West Midlands Growth Company

VisitBritain/VisitEngland CEO Patricia Yates said:

“Following many months of careful consideration, we are delighted to announce that VisitBritain/VisitEngland will be opening a new hub office in Birmingham from April 2024. Birmingham has excellent transport links for both our international and Britain based staff and key stakeholders, a broad talent pool and good office space.

“Basing our hub office in Birmingham also brings us closer to our regional stakeholders across England including the West Midlands Growth Company, a Local Visitor Economy Partnership, with whom we already have a strong working relationship.

“We have seen other government departments and private sector companies successfully transition their operations to the city. We are excited about the opportunities and perspectives that having our headquarters in Birmingham will bring, as we continue our work to drive the economic benefits from tourism across the nations and regions and to support the industry.

“We are currently in negotiations on office space in central Birmingham and will announce the site once confirmed. We will keep an office presence in London to maintain our relationships with key government and industry stakeholders.

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Business Support Helpline

22 September 2021

The UK Government's free to access Business Support Helpline can help small businesses of all stages to find the right support and impartial advice, whether just starting out or growing a business.

Advisers provide tailored guidance and information on schemes and publicly funded business support programmes available in your local area and across England. There are also services for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The service is available via telephone, email, webchat and social media.

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Tourism Consultancy

FREE consultancy support for tourism and hospitality businesses

Tourism Consultancy Support

The Tourism Consultancy Support Business programme was launched in June 2020 to offer support and grant funding to Worcestershire businesses throughout the COVID-19 crisis, helping to keep our local economy operational, employees safe and businesses growing despite the difficulties.

When tourism reopened in the summer of 2021 and to help relaunch our visitor economy, specialist tourism sector consultancy support was introduced to the programme.

Having successfully supported 68 individual businesses over almost two years, additional funding has been secured to deliver further specialist 1:1 consultancy support for another year to help tourism businesses, particularly new ones, develop and improve the offering within the county as a tourism destination.

The support offers bespoke 1:1 consultancy to help companies:

• Strengthen and grow their business
• Develop new or renew business plans and marketing strategies
• Deep dive into the business and help it move forward
• Identify new opportunities

So far to date we have worked with other tourism businesses on subjects as varied as business purpose, structure and operating models, sales and marketing, diversification, improving efficiency and developing an experiential tourism offer.

We have helped organisations who are just starting up to those who have been in business for many years – all of the sessions are tailored to your needs to help you overcome unique or nationwide business challenges.

Contact the team today for further information and details on how to apply - [email protected]

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Business Customs

UK business customs are similar to those in the United States. The UK is a diverse and multi-ethnic society.

Some fundamental cultural differences between the U.S. and the UK remain. Variations in pace and style may be most noticeable, and sustained personal contact with potential business partners is expected. Prompt acknowledgment of correspondence, longer lead time for appointments, adherence to appointment schedules and greater formality in the conduct of business is the norm.

British executives typically communicate by phone and e-mail. The British are less likely to seek legal advice and guidance than their U.S. counterparts, although a litigation culture is developing along the lines of the U.S. model – i.e., no win, no fee cases have recently been permitted.

Travel Advisory

The State Department’s Consular Information Sheet for the United Kingdom provides information for travel to the United Kingdom. The State Department’s Travel Alerts provides information on travel warnings .

The U.S. Embassy London website has information for both U.S. visitors to the UK and for UK citizens seeking to travel to the United States.

Visa Requirements

UK Visa Information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website, as well as the British Embassy in Washington website.

The UK uses electronic gates at the border for UK citizens, EEA nationals, and citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States.

For nationalities not already using the e-gates upon entry, Registered Traveler is a fee-based service to expedite entry into the UK.

U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link(s): State Department Visa Website .

The local currency of the United Kingdom is the Pound Sterling (£, GBP). Visa and Mastercard are accepted widely throughout the UK, while American Express is only accepted in the major cities. Many businesses in the UK’s major cities are now cashless and accept contactless credit card payments. 

LINK is the primary ATM network in the UK and most ATMs offer free cash withdrawals, although foreign withdrawal fees may apply. In major cities, ATMs from US banks can be found.  Traveler’s checks may not be used in lieu of local currency and must be exchanged for cash at a bank before use.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Wireless internet connection is widely available across the UK in hotels, cafes/restaurants, and transportation hubs. Internet Service Providers also provide wireless connection in public areas for a small fee. 

Most U.S. cell phone carriers offer international plans that extend to the UK. Alternatively, SIM cards can be purchased at all major transportation hubs in the country. The UK power socket differs from that of the U.S. in both voltage and shape, with  the U.S. operating on a 120V supply voltage and the UK outlets provide a 240V. Depending on the U.S. appliance or electrical item voltage limit, either a plug adaptor will be required (for appliances capable of 110-240V) or a step-down Transformer (for items only capable of 110V).

Transportation

The UK is easily accessible from most major airports in the United States and Europe. The UK’s main access points are its airports in London (LHR, LGW, STN, LTN), Manchester (MAN), Edinburgh (EDI), Birmingham (BHX), Bristol (BRS), Glasgow (GLA), and Belfast (BFS). The UK can also be entered from Europe via train using the Eurostar high-speed rail service, which stops in London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet, and Ashford. It is also possible to drive from France to the United Kingdom via the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle.

Within the UK, there are several viable public transportation options, including the National Rail system, buses, and city specific railways. Taxi and car services are also available in major cities. 

The UK does not have an official language. Welsh is however the official language of Wales. English is the de facto language of the UK and is its primary business language. Please note that British English does differ from American English in both spelling and vocabulary. 

The UK is home to the National Health Service, which is a publicly funded healthcare system. While the NHS remains free for ordinary residents, travelers may be charged for using NHS services. Please consult the Department of Health and Social Care’s guidance for overseas visitors . UK private healthcare is alternatively available for those who wish to take out a private plan with an international provider. Overall, both countries have similar world class health outcomes.

Consult the Center for Disease Control Notice for Travel in the United Kingdom for information on recommended vaccinations and the current public health status of the UK. 

Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays

From the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March, the UK follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During the other half of the year, the UK uses British Summer Time. Both time systems are 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Note that the UK typically uses a 24-hour clock instead of the 12-hour clock used in the U.S. 

Business hours in the UK generally run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The UK celebrates several Bank Holidays each year. The name and date of each holiday can be found on the government’s Bank Holiday website. In addition to these official holidays, some UK businesses close for extended periods during July and August as many UK workers take time off during this time. 

Temporary Entry and Personal Belongings

A government-issued passport is needed when entering the UK. You may also need to declare certain goods upon entry into the UK. Please see the governments advise on Entering the UK for more information.

Need-to-know: Post-Brexit business travel for UK and EU travellers 

These days, there’s more hoops to jump through when you’re a Brit travelling to Europe, and an EU national visiting the UK.

You’ve asked us lots of questions. This blog aims to answer key questions we’ve had about what business travel looks like after Brexit.

Definitions in this blog

• Schengen Area: Countries in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
• 90/180: Refers to the rule that British travellers can travel to and within the Schengen without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

A note on visas before we get into the detail. Only certified professionals can hand out advice on those. Thank you to our partners CIBT visas/Newland Chase for helping us put this together (some of this information was originally published here).

UK nationals travelling to the Schengen Area

• In early 2023, UK travellers will need to fill in a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) form to travel to Europe - it's like the USA's ESTA. We'll share more information when available. 
• UK nationals no longer have the freedom to work, study, start a business or live in the EU.
• There’s new immigration rules for UK nationals travelling to the EU.
• Some trips will require visas.
• UK nationals can travel without needing a visa if they stay within 90/180 (for business or leisure) and only participate in ‘permitted activities’.

Passport validity

It's recommended that on the day you travel, you have at least six months left on your passport. This allows for: 

• Travelling in Europe for up to three months 
• The requirement from most European countries to have at least three months left on your passport on the day after you leave

Your passport must also be less than 10 years old on the day after you leave. If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the minimum period needed.

These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland. You can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay.

Check a passport for travel to Europe on  the government's passport checker tool .

Use the government's passport checker tool to check.

UK travellers may be able stay in the EU for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without needing a visa, aka 90/180. If they exceed those days in that period they might be refused entry.

If you’re travelling to the Schengen for a short-term business trip, that is 90/180, you must prove your eligibility for admission, including evidence that you won’t be staying for longer than 90 in 180 days.

Under the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (EU-UK TCA), you can participate in certain permitted business-related activities without requiring a visa, including:

• Attending meetings, events, conferences, exhibitions
• Technical, scientific, statistical and marketing research
• Receiving training
• Prospecting sales or purchases

However, not every country has confirmed whether all these activities are allowed in their territory. The above is a provision until validated by the European Parliament.

Any short-term activity not listed above is subject to each country’s immigration regulations. Travellers will have to assess what work they’re planning to do in each country, and seek authorisation where required.

To stay longer than 90/180

Whether for work, study or for business travel, travellers may need a visa or work permit including these scenarios.

• Transferring from the UK branch of a company to a branch in a different country (‘intra-corporate transfer’), even for a short period of time.
• Carrying out contracts to provide services to a client in a country where the employer has no presence.
• Providing services in another country as a self-employed person.

For more information about country specific requirements  view this page on the government website.

Alternatively, get an instant answer from  CIBT’s Post-Brexit Travel Assessment.

Multiple or multi-centre trips

May not require a visa if plans do not exceed 90/180. If they’re spending longer than 90/180, they will likely need a visa or working permit. Again, check the regulations for the country where you’re visiting.

Where to get a visa and more information

Visa and entry requirements differ for each country. For more information about country specific requirements visit this page .

UK travellers driving in the EU

More paperwork than before. Travellers planning to drive in Europe need to contact their insurer six weeks before they travel to get a green card which proves they have insurance.

When driving in Europe travellers will need to have with them:

• Drivers licence
• Log book (V5C) if the traveller owns the car or VE103 form if the car is hired or leased
• Valid insurance documents
• Green card from insurer – more information here
• GB sticker – more information here
• International driving permit (IDP) if you have a paper driving licence and those with a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man – more information here

The UK government advises checking driving regulations with embassies.

A1 certificates

Check which country's social security contributions UK workers must pay if working in the Schengen  here.

CIBT visas/Newland Chase can provide advice on A1 certificates.

Taxation, social security and VAT

• Guidelines on whether you still have to pay UK Income Tax and to which country social security contributions should be paid to –  visit this page .
• Guidelines on paying National Insurance - visit this page .
• Guidelines on paying social security contributions - visit this page .

UK customers will continue to receive UK compliant VAT invoices from Corporate Traveller.

Businesses based in the UK and Isle of Man can no longer claim on EU VAT incurred on or before 31 December 2020. They also no longer have access to the EU electronic portal to submit claims.

Businesses can continue to claim refunds on EU VAT incurred on or after 1 January 2021. They will have to use processes for non-EU businesses, which vary across each country. UK businesses may need to provide a certificate of status  in order to get a refund.

Find country specific information on the EU Commission’s website .

Flight compensation

There are some changes to air passenger rights for flights operated by a UK carrier. The European Union’s website has a tool to check what a passenger is entitled to in different scenarios. Take a look .

EU nationals travelling to the UK

• Free movement rights have ended.
• From 1 October 2021, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens cannot use an ID card to enter the UK. 
• New immigration rules, and visas for certain types of trips.
• Short-term travellers can travel without needing a visa for ‘permitted activities’.
• Those arriving in the UK for work purposes, including EU nationals and families, now require sponsorship.

ID cards are out

From 1st October 2021, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens will no longer be able to travel to the UK using an ID card. They can only travel to the UK using a valid passport, unless they have:

• applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, or have an application pending
• or otherwise have protected rights under the Citizens’ Rights Agreements

In most cases, short business trips to the UK won’t require a visa. The condition? The stay is less than six months and only for certain business related activities, including:

• Attending meetings, events, or conferences
• Negotiating and signing deals and contracts
• Site visits and inspections

Some intra-corporate activities, for example when employed by a group company overseas, can be done without a visa. These trips must:

• Be short. Trips lasting over a month would raise the alarm with the Home Office.
• Be linked to a specific project.
• Not involve directly working with, or for, clients.

Examples of permitted intra-corporate activities include:

• Advising and consulting on internal matters with UK colleagues.
• Troubleshooting internal issues.
• Providing internal training for colleagues. Training clients is not permitted.
• Sharing skills and knowledge on a specific internal project with UK colleagues. Colleagues must be of the same corporate group and work is not permitted directly with clients.

If an EU national working for a UK company carries out work not on the permitted activities list, they can be removed from the UK and face a travel ban.

Points-based immigration system

Any EU and non-EU citizens wanting to work in the UK for a longer period must score enough points to be granted a visa. Points are awarded for meeting set criteria such as being able to speak English, having a recognised qualification and having a job offer. There are different routes but we believe the most popular for our customers will be:

Skilled worker:

• No advertising or cap
• Minimum salary threshold of £25,600
• Skill level at A Level or above
• No maximum limit on stay
• Applicants must hold an English language qualification to apply

Intra-company routes:

• Minimum salary threshold of £41,500
• Skill level at Graduate level
• No English language qualification required

If you want to hire employees from outside the UK (excluding Irish citizens), you’ll need a sponsor licence.

If an EU national working for a UK company carries out work not on the permitted activities list, they can be removed from the UK and face a travel ban. There is also a direct impact on sponsor status, including loss of licence and sponsored skilled workers. Penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal worker are in place.

8 steps to prepare

• Ensure you know what’s classed as a business-related ‘permitted activity’.
• Keep track of and assess the activities of all employees regularly travelling in the UK and EU. For example, you’ll need to ensure UK travellers in the EU have a way to calculate and keep track of 90/180.
• Check you have the appropriate business travel insurance that includes healthcare cover.
• When travellers request an EU trip, develop a process that includes an assessment of the proposed business activities to make sure they’re sticking by the rules.
• Allocate budget for work authorisation applications.
• Apply for a sponsor license if you’re planning on recruiting new employees from outside the UK.
• Ask travellers to check their passport has at least six months left and is less than 10 years old.
• Educate your teams about what a business visitor can legally do in the UK or EU member states, and where visas or documentation may be required.

Want to talk to us about post-Brexit travel?

If you’re a client, contact your travel manager. If you’re new to Corporate Traveller, fill out the form and we’ll get back to you.

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Prince William Makes Solo Visit to Northern England as King Charles Resumes Public Duties amid Cancer

The Prince of Wales headed north to see one of his Earthshot Prize finalists and support a mental health charity

OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty 

Prince William is stepping out for two of his favorite causes.

On the day that his father, King Charles , resumed public-facing duties for the first time since he  revealed his cancer diagnosis  in February, the Prince of Wales, 41, headed to the north-east of England for events highlighting the climate crisis and tackling mental health.

Prince William, who is working solo while his wife Kate Middleton is  undergoing treatment for cancer , began the morning with a visit to celebrate the work of Low Carbon Materials, a finalist for his environmental project, the Earthshot Prize .

The company based in Seaham, County Durham makes cutting-edge, carbon-negative products. Prince William sported a lab coat, goggles and gloves as he was shown part of the low-carbon concrete manufacturing process.

OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty

While visiting, Prince William heard their reflections on how being nominated for the Earthshot Prize has boosted their company, which was set up by three Material Science PhD students with the vision of becoming a world leader in low-carbon and environmentally friendly construction materials.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?  Sign up for our free Royals newsletter  to get the latest updates on  Kate Middleton ,  Meghan Markle  and more!

The second visit for the royal (who celebrated his thirteenth wedding anniversary with Princess Kate on April 29) was to open James’ Place Newcastle, in the city of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. The charity provides a crucial lifeline for men experiencing suicidal thoughts and is the latest of several centers run by the charity that William has opened.

The issue of men's suicide also forms part of William's wider mental health campaigning and is something he's taken a leading role in helping to raise awareness of.

James' Place was started by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley following the death of their son James in 2006. Suicide is the single leading cause of death for men under 35 in the U.K., with men three times more likely to take their own lives than women. The organization has treated over 2,300 suicidal men, with James’ Place Newcastle helping 140 men since it opened its doors in January. Its team of professionals gets referrals from emergency departments, family doctors, student counseling services and community services who come into contact with men suffering a crisis.

The new center — the third started by James' Place — is clearly needed in the area as Newcastle has some of the highest rates of suicide in England. During his time at the center, William met with former clients and staff to hear how the charity supports them.

The former air ambulance pilot has spoken of  his own experience of dealing  with male suicide when he met with British emergency service workers who find themselves tackling the issue far too often. One of his first calls in his job at East Anglia's  air ambulance  service was to a young man who had died by suicide.

"He is concerned that men sometimes consider themselves too strong to ask for help," a palace spokeswoman told PEOPLE at the time. "He wants to see what he can do to help encourage men to ask for help. "

Ian Forsyth/Getty

The Prince of Wales recently  resumed public duties  after taking a few weeks off amid Princess Kate's announcement that she is  undergoing treatment for cancer . The Princess of Wales revealed the news in a  self-written speech  released via video on March 22, where she shared that post-operative tests following her  abdominal surgery  "found cancer had been present."

His outing came as his father King Charles, 75, headed out with Queen Camilla , 76, to visit a cancer specialist hospital in central London to highlight the groundbreaking research being done in the area and to talk to staff and patients.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org .

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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Today’s front page, Monday, April 29, 2024

Pru Life UK CEO pays courtesy visit to IC’s Regalado

• BusinessMirror
• April 30, 2024
• 1 minute read

Pru Life Insurance Corp. of UK announced last Monday that its newly-appointed CEO Sanjay Chakrabarty met with Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo A. Regalado “to reinforce the company’s commitment and support to the Insurance Commission’s goal to advance financial literacy and inclusion in the country and good governance in the insurance sector.”

“Strengthening their commitment to providing better financial protection for Filipino families, Regalado and Chakrabarty shared their insights and plans to bolster financial literacy initiatives, improve governance standards, and expand access to insurance products, particularly among vulnerable and underserved populations,” read the statement the insurer issued on April 29. “Providing financial protection to the Muslim community is another key priority of the Commission, to which Pru Life UK pledged its support and commitment.”

“It was an honour to meet Insurance Commissioner Regalado and reinforce Pru Life UK’s commitment to achieving our shared goals of increasing insurance penetration in the Philippines and elevating good governance in the life insurance industry,” Chakrabarty was quoted in the statement as saying. 

Pru Life UK recorded the highest New Business Annual Premium Equivalent in 2023, according to the Insurance Commission’s latest report as of December 31, 2023.

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What is Labour’s plan for rail travel and will it make tickets cheaper?

Party wants to fully nationalise train network within five years of coming to power, in ‘biggest rail reform for a generation’

Labour has made one of its most radical proposals yet in the run-up to an election campaign: to fully nationalise the train network within five years of coming to power.

The party has pledged to guarantee the cheapest fares as part of “the biggest reform of our railways for a generation”, bringing all passenger rail into national ownership under the Great British Railways (GBR) body.

So, how difficult would the plan be to enact and what does it mean for passengers?

How would Labour’s plan for Great British Railways change the way the trains are run?

The headline change is nationalisation: the ambition that all passenger train operations, at least, should return to public ownership. But the wider aim is that control of trains and tracks – “wheels and steel”, as some put it – is brought back under one unified structure, at arm’s length from the government.

The actual railway infrastructure is already managed by the state-owned Network Rail, since the disastrous tenure of Railtrack in the early days of privatisation, and train operations in Scotland, Wales and a large chunk of England are in public ownership. So a fully renationalised railway (bar the rolling stock and freight) is not as big a step as it may once have sounded – and arguably the pragmatic extension of the plans drawn up by the Conservatives in 2021, to end the fragmentation and waste in the system.

How long will the changes take?

Labour said it would get the ball rolling on day one. Given the years it has taken for the Conservatives’ GBR plans to crystallise into a draft bill that has scant chance of passing before an election, supporters of the changes would be forgiven for not holding their breath for legislation. But some of the spadework has been done by the GBR transition team, and Labour will be hoping for a more stable tenancy in Downing Street to see the policy through. It is, it stresses, a long-term plan.

As far as nationalisation of the train operators goes, most of the contracts of remaining operators will expire naturally within the next term, while the government can exercise break clauses in others, such as Avanti West Coast and Cross Country.

What would the trains look like?

Eventually, they would all be GBR-branded trains rather than the individual liveries and logos of different operators. Labour hopes that this will make things simpler for passengers, avoiding confusion over ticketing, as well as cutting costs.

Would it make train travel cheaper?

Possibly, but not for a while yet. Labour says it wants to make the railway more affordable but has definitively avoided any pledges to cut or even freeze the overall level of fares.

However, it believes that its plans will eventually save £2.2bn a year by avoiding the duplication and bureaucracy brought on by the current system, where the Department for Transport tightly controls and specifies contracts for the private firms, and reams of staff are employed in back-end roles. That could give ministers some scope to use more of the billions in annual taxpayer subsidy to bring fares down long-term.

What about this best-price guarantee?

Make that an “ambition”, according to the policy document . It’s testament to the complexity, or occasional absurdity, of UK rail fares that even after years of industry focus on improving the system, renationalising looks an easier promise than telling a passenger they’ve paid the right amount.

Things can be improved, Labour says, as contactless tap-in and tap-out payments extend through more and more of the country, opening up the possibility of a Transport for London-style system, where fares are streamlined and automatically capped or refunded.

The shadow transport secretary, Louise Haigh, pointedly chose the headquarters of Trainline in central London to launch her plans on Thursday, paying tribute to the travel app firm’s “relentless focus on passengers [and] improving their experience”. Trainline shares fell 10%, even though Labour says it has no plans to replace the private firm with a single state retailer.

But given that the app’s business depends on people paying extra to cut through the railway’s confusing fares, fragmentation and lack of a decent central ticketing site, Trainline shareholder nerves might be taken as a vote of confidence that GBR will improve the industry’s own offering.

How else might passengers benefit?

Labour says it would leave the running of the railway to the experts – but the transport secretary would set strategy and take on the role of passenger-in-chief, and the industry would not be “marking its own homework”.

The plan aims to strengthen the voice of passengers by rolling together the various bodies currently meant to be standing up for them – the watchdog Transport Focus and the little-known Rail Ombudsman, as well as a few divisions of the Office of Rail and Road.

What will happen to the private operators?

Their representatives at Rail Partners warn that it will be “messy” and the railway will lose their expertise. But the people actually running train operators, right up to the managing directors, have typically stayed in post with a different coloured badge when the owning groups moved on, and passengers at say, Southeastern or LNER may not feel life is very different. Firms once regarded as pillars of privatised rail such as Stagecoach, National Express (now Mobico) and Virgin have long exited UK rail already, pursuing business elsewhere.

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