Ben Hurst

More than 30 Ryanair flights and nearly 6,000 passengers were reportedly disrupted by UK air traffic control staffing issues before 9 a.m., causing almost eight hours of cumulative delays. Ryanair Chief Operations Officer Neal McMahon blamed National Air Traffic Services (NATS) for inadequate staffing and lack of contingency cover during the peak summer travel period. NATS said it remains one of Europe’s best-performing air navigation providers, that only one in 1,000 UK flights experiences an air-traffic-control-related delay, and that it is recruiting and training more controllers while working to minimise disruption.

Gut health scientist Tim Spector recommends upgrading beans on toast by replacing low-fibre white bread with wholemeal, wholegrain, rye or sourdough bread. He says the beans provide fibre, protein and beneficial carbohydrates that gut microbes ferment into short-chain fatty acids, while cheese contributes fermentation-related benefits. Adding greens such as spinach, garlic and extra-virgin olive oil can further increase the meal’s fibre and plant-compound content, making it more filling and nutritionally valuable than a ham sandwich.

Authorities have issued a coastal pre-alert for Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro as strong north-easterly winds are expected to produce two- to three-metre waves, dangerous currents and Force 7 gusts in some sea channels. The warning follows forecasts from AEMET and is intended to protect busy summer beaches, swimmers and water-sports users. High winds also caused a Canaryfly flight from Gran Canaria to abort its landing at Lanzarote Airport before landing safely on a second attempt. Visitors are being urged to avoid exposed coastal areas, dangerous seas and unguarded beaches, postpone water sports and call emergency services if necessary.

An 86-year-old man with Parkinson’s was convicted after his Ford Fiesta went untaxed for six weeks when his daughter, who manages his finances under power of attorney, moved house and missed the renewal notice. Prosecuted through the Single Justice Procedure, he received an absolute discharge and was ordered to pay £3.34 in compensation after already paying an £80 penalty. The case highlights concerns that mitigation from vulnerable defendants may not routinely reach prosecutors, while the Government considers safeguards for the system. The DVLA said magistrates decide whether cases with mitigation are referred back to the agency. Court data indicates that 1,950 people were prosecuted across England and Wales the previous week for unpaid vehicle tax.

UK health and travel authorities are warning travellers about Cyclospora, a parasite spread through contaminated food or water and commonly linked to fresh produce such as lettuce, salads, herbs and unpeeled fruit. Most UK cases are associated with travel to Mexico, while a significant outbreak in the United States has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. Symptoms include prolonged watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and sometimes fever or weight loss. Travellers are advised to use safe water, avoid potentially contaminated fresh produce and ice, choose freshly cooked food, and seek medical help if symptoms are severe or persistent, particularly when they have weakened immune systems.

New rules aligning Housing Benefit with Universal Credit will take effect on October 6, removing disincentives that discouraged supported‑housing residents from working or increasing hours. The Department for Work and Pensions says the reform will affect more than 300,000 people by eliminating a financial cliff edge created by less generous Housing Benefit rules. Minister Stephen Timms stated the changes ensure residents keep more of their earnings and form part of broader welfare reforms, including measures supporting disabled people into work and expanded employment‑support programmes.

Martin Lewis encourages pensioners to check their eligibility for Attendance Allowance, a non–means-tested DWP benefit worth up to £5,959 annually that remains significantly underclaimed, with around 1.1 million eligible people not receiving support. The article explains payment levels, eligibility requirements, and application challenges, noting that Age UK and Citizens Advice can offer help. It highlights that the allowance can be used for any purpose despite being intended for care needs and outlines conditions that may qualify applicants, while stressing the importance of submitting a claim even for the lower rate.

Ryanair warned that seven major European airports are suffering significant delays due to the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, urging governments to postpone the rollout until after the summer peak to avoid long queues and missed flights. Tenerife South, Palma, Alicante, Malaga, Milan Bergamo, Krakow and Paris Beauvais are cited as worst affected. Port of Dover leaders also cautioned that congestion could become severe despite major investments in new processing facilities rendered ineffective by kiosk technology failures. UK officials said they are coordinating with EU partners and upgrading infrastructure to minimise disruption for travellers.

A BBC expert warns of a rising holiday scam in which fraudsters offer tourists small gifts, such as wristbands, before aggressively demanding money. A filmed example in Italy shows a scammer insisting on payment after giving a bracelet. Additional tactics include asking tourists to pose for photos and then requesting cash. Survey data shows increasing public concern about travel-related fraud, with many people changing behaviour and preferring trusted travel providers. Experts advise researching destinations, verifying companies, avoiding bank transfers, and checking protections such as Abta membership and Atol coverage.

Motability implemented a new annual mileage limit of 10,000 miles for new leases, with a higher excess charge, prompting concerns for disabled users who rely on long-distance travel. The organisation missed its July 1 deadline to publish exceptions but committed to releasing full details on July 8, including eligibility criteria and the application process for additional mileage support tied to healthcare, education or employment needs. Government responses indicated most users would not be affected and that the changes were driven by rising insurance costs and new tax pressures. Issues with the Drive Smart programme and broader concerns about affordability have added to scrutiny of the scheme.