
Ryanair boss considering increasing bonus paid to staff for flagging oversized bags
Employees currently earn around £1.30 per item for flagging oversized bags, which is capped at £70 per month.
1
However, O'Leary said it could rise to motivate staff and curb the 'scourge' of excess baggage.
He told RTE's Morning Ireland: 'We're flying largely full flights, about half the passengers can bring two bags and the other half can only bring one — because that's all that fits in the plane.
'We're already struggling with that amount of baggage.'
The firm currently includes a small carry-on bag — capped at a size of 40x20x25cm and weight of 10kg – with every ticket.
Passengers are charged a fee of up to £65 for bringing luggage that is larger than they paid for while booking their journey.
Mr O'Leary said: 'We are happy to incentivise our (staff) with a share of those excess baggage fees, which we think will decline over the coming year or two.'
European lawmakers want easier baggage rules, but Mr O'Leary dismissed the idea, saying that cabin space is already limited.
Ryanair recently reported a quarterly net profit of £710million. more than doubling last year's figures, as fares surged 21 per cent.
However, passenger growth remains hampered by delays in aircraft deliveries.
Airport baggage handler issues warning about item 'never to pack' that will see you 'called from plane' and searched
BP'S NEW BOSS
BP has officially appointed a successor to outgoing chairman Helge Lund.
Albert Manifold, former CEO of building materials firm CRH, will take the reins on October 1.
Dame Andrea Blanc, who led the successor search, said he was the 'ideal candidate to oversee BP's next chapter.'
Shares rose by 1 per cent after the news yesterday. Outgoing boss Mr Lund left after backlash over a failed green energy pivot.
INFLATION HITS SAVERS
MILLIONS of Brits are losing money as £660billion in savings sits in accounts that do not keep up with inflation.
Over 67million accounts pay 3.5 per cent or less, while inflation rose to 3.6 per cent in June, says savings app Spring.
Derek Sprawling, from the firm, said: 'As inflation continues to climb, the real value of people's savings is being steadily eroded. It's time to review where money is held.'
Accounts including Cahoot's Sunny Day Saver and Chase's Saver currently offer rates of up to five per cent.

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Reuters
23 minutes ago
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Telecoms giant America Movil swings to profit on foreign exchange gains
MEXICO CITY, July 22 (Reuters) - Mexican telecoms giant America Movil ( opens new tab reported on Tuesday a swing to profit in the second quarter of 2025, surpassing analysts' forecasts and fueled by foreign exchange gains from currencies across Latin America. Analysts are scrutinizing the firm's earnings results for clues to the landscape of toughening competition in Mexico, the region's second-largest economy, where rivals such as Walmart ( opens new tab and Televisa ( opens new tab jostle for subscribers. America Movil pointed in a report to 11 billion pesos in FX gains - equivalent to half its net profit - which it said had allowed it to "significantly" cut down its financing costs. Net profit for the group, controlled by the family of Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, hit 22.28 billion pesos ($1.19 billion) in the three months through June, rebounding from a loss of 1.09 billion pesos in the corresponding quarter a year earlier. Analysts polled by LSEG had expected profit of $1.13 billion. Revenues for the firm, which operates across Latin America and Europe, rose 14% to 233.79 billion pesos, or $12.46 billion, also above analysts' forecast of $12 billion. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 11% to 92.41 billion pesos. Scotiabank analysts hailed the Mexico revenues of America Movil as "remarkably resilient in light of a weak economy" and competition, adding that they believed fixed internet rivals would hit back with price cuts and improved speed and quality. Such competition is highlighted by the efforts of retail giant Walmart's (WMT.N), opens new tab mobile service Bait, which added 1.7 million new active users versus the prior three months, while broadcaster Televisa's ( opens new tab broadband service swept in thousands of new customers. America Movil said its revenue, reported in Mexican pesos, was also boosted by the currency's depreciation against most others in the regions where it operates. "The second quarter was characterized by significant uncertainty associated with the tariffs that the U.S. government seeks to impose on merchandise imports," it said. As a result, it added, the U.S. dollar also weakened against most currencies in the company's operating region. America Movil said mobile services growth was driven by its post-paid segment, which added 2.9 million customers in the three months through June, including 1.4 million from Brazil. Its pre-paid platform, however, was hit by 1.1 million net disconnections, though the firm added 462,000 new broadband connections, half in its home market of Mexico. Scotiabank analysts also pointed to a "rare" inflow from the group's pension funding in the second quarter, which they said was unlikely to continue due to union tensions over company plans to convert pension liability into stock. ($1=18.7654 pesos at end-June)


Times
24 minutes ago
- Times
Government and opposition alike must do much better
Out of the three parties that matter most, only one will be looking forward to autumn. When parliament packed up for the summer recess this time last year, the new Labour administration had a stonking majority, a sense of confidence and a clear plan of action. Twelve months on, morale has collapsed. Rarely have a government's fortunes declined so far, so fast. This is not the consequence of world events or the vagaries of the global economy: Sir Keir Starmer is to blame. He came into power with the stated aim of boosting the economy's performance to improve public services. But prioritising growth demanded a degree of discipline that he has signally failed to demonstrate. Although the government has chalked up a few achievements — for instance, in reforming the planning system — too often other considerations have taken precedence over growth. Workers' rights have been strengthened to the detriment of companies. Taxes on employers have been raised with the consequence that firms are hiring fewer people. Higher pay for public servants has contributed to the deterioration of public finances. The government's big effort to rein in spending centred on its planned reform of the welfare system, but Labour backbenchers rebelled against it. Instead of facing up to the rebels by making the issue a vote of confidence, the prime minister backed down. Predictably, this cave-in has encouraged further dissent. The prime minister's problem is that he is a conciliator rather than a leader. That is why he has proved to be an effective diplomat in his dealings with foreign leaders. With his low-key style, he has succeeded in improving Britain's relationship with Europe, in encouraging European leaders to co-operate over defence and in establishing a good working relationship with Donald Trump, despite the two men's glaring ideological differences. These external successes cannot compensate for Sir Keir's domestic failures, however. They have cost him credibility and the economy momentum. In the past two months, national output has shrunk while public debt continues to mount. In June, the government borrowed £20.7 billion. That is £6.6 billion more than in June last year and £3.6 billion more than expected. As Sir Keir has lost focus on the economy, concentrating on averting short-term difficulties rather than pursuing a coherent agenda, he has come to look like a tactical politician rather than a strategic one. Both MPs and voters are increasingly unclear about what his government is for. Labour is divided between pragmatists who want order in the public finances and leftwingers who want to spend more. The autumn budget, in which Rachel Reeves will have to reconcile the conflicting demands of the bond markets and Labour MPs' desire to protect social spending, will be a pivotal moment in the government's life. Sir Keir's greatest boon has been the state of the Conservative Party. Despite a welcome recent attempt to reassert the party's commitment to fiscal rectitude in the wake of the government's welfare debacle, Kemi Badenoch has failed to establish a clear identity around which her party can coalesce. At 23.7 per cent, its share of the vote in the last election was the lowest yet; it has declined further in polling since then, to 17 per cent. This week's reshuffle will not by itself reverse the Tories' decline: changes in personnel cannot compensate for the lack of a compelling story. The one party that has succeeded in devising one in the past year is Reform. Nigel Farage has capitalised on the loss of direction in both main parties to seize a commanding lead in the polls. Sir Keir and Ms Badenoch need to develop better ways of countering Mr Farage over the summer, or he will make short work of them in the coming year. For both, it is a case of 'must do better'.


Times
an hour ago
- Times
Times letters: Regulation and funding of water companies
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The unfettered concreting over and tarring of front gardens, and seemingly endless acres of further urbanisation and development, have led to flash flooding and the overwhelming of sewage facilities. Local authorities should have separate drainage for surface RennieKintore, Aberdeenshire Sir, The Thames Tideway project to upgrade waste-water treatment systems in London to enable them to cope with storm-water surges was completed in May. It has effectively eliminated the problem of unwanted releases into the Thames. The question now is: when will this technology be introduced in the rest of the UK?Dale FittesChartered engineer, Warwick Sir, If every new house was required to have a large rainwater tank the amount of drinking water needed could be substantially reduced. Rainwater could then be used to flush toilets, wash cars and water FreelandBristol Sir, In 1955, when I was 12, my mother and I had a holiday at Hove and were surprised, while swimming in the sea, to find ourselves surrounded by lavatory paper. Plus ça WillettLondon SW19 Sir, William Hague ('Welfare reform is a moral and financial must', Jul 22) is right that unless we rethink our welfare system we face economic crisis. The tragedy is that this has been staring us in the face since at least the early 2000s. Successive welfare ministers have recognised that but each has put the issue in the 'too difficult' box, to be left for their successor. If we wait for one finally to have the courage to tackle it we will wait another generation. We need to break the mould: we should establish a cross-party royal commission with a remit to report within one year — the issues and the facts are clear so a year will be ample — to recommend the measures that need to be taken to tackle this crisis. Then we should ask all our political parties to have the courage to implement its Leigh LewisPermanent secretary, Department for Work and Pensions 2005-10; Watford Sir, It is inevitable that Rachel Reeves will struggle to persuade Labour MPs to back legislation that has to be considerably tougher than the recent attempts at welfare reform. The solution is to raise income tax by, say, 2 per cent, with the promise of bringing it down again when welfare reforms have improved the government's ScottEast Knoyle, Wilts Sir, I am horrified to admit that I agree with Reform UK about something: in this case the need for more 'big strapping male police officers' (report, Jul 22). The episode that made me agree is as follows. A few years ago I was returning home in my car, through my local town centre, late on a weekday evening. While at a red light I saw a street brawl erupt around me involving about ten adult males. One man was struck and fell to the floor beside my car; his attacker then began to kick his unconscious body. Before too many head kicks were delivered I got out of the car and pushed the assailant away. When threatened I didn't move, so got punched a fair bit. Other passers-by then intervened to break it all up and we called an ambulance for the chap on the floor. When the dust had fully settled, a slight WPC and a male constable no bigger than me (I am 5ft 7in and 63kg) nervously appeared. I was absolutely disgusted. Two 100kg male PCs might have had a calming effect on the mayhem but these two lightweights certainly wouldn't. It is possible that the officers knew this and had kept out of the way until things had settled CoeWinterton, Lincs Sir, Nigel Farage misses the point when he states he wants to recruit 'beefy bobbies' to strike fear into criminals. The police have no need of beefy bobbies — most officers are more than capable of arresting criminals. What they need is a justice system that allows them to do their duty without fear of being accused of racism, Islamophobia and lack of impartiality, and inquiries into alleged wrongdoing that take years to complete. Further, if the courts imposed appropriate sentences (assuming, of course, that the craven CPS allowed prosecution in the first place), this would act as a deterrent to wrongdoing, which is sadly absent at present and is empowering lawlessness. Only a complete overhaul of the justice system will address this imbalance, not bigger MolloyMetropolitan Police 1976-2006; Chart Sutton, Kent Sir, The chief executive of NHS England, Sir Jim Mackey, advocates a 'different approach' to the 'Christmas Day' acute care service provided during previous industrial action by doctors, but offers little detail about how this might be achieved ('Patients at risk during walkouts, warns BMA', Jul 22). How can productivity remain constant when capacity is reduced without increasing pressure in the system past the point of irreversible damage? Without a clear and funded 'surge' plan, Mackey's mandate is no more than SoodSouthend-on-Sea, Essex Sir, The impending loss of the Lord Ashcroft VC and GC collection in the Imperial War Museum is to be regretted (Thunderer, Jul 22). Anyone who has visited the display, the largest of its kind, cannot help but be humbled by the gallantry of those who received these awards. The removal of the collection serves the interests of no one. The museum should be made to justify its irrational Prescott (Lt-Col, ret'd)Southsea, Hants Sir, While awaiting the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry and after enjoying the impressive replica at Reading Museum (letters, Jul 21 & 22), Times readers should venture west to Fishguard and visit the tapestry commemorating the last invasion of Britain in 1797. It is beautifully and colourfully designed, and was stitched by local people. Moreover, it celebrates an invasion that was BattleLondon SW18 Sir, It seems ridiculous that local councils are still unable to levy a tourism tax on hotel stays ('Tourist tax plan rejected by Treasury', Jul 22). I travel frequently to the US and Europe, where these taxes are accepted as a standard element of any hotel bill. They reflect the tourist's/business visitor's use of local infrastructure (roads and public transport etc) that, without such a tax, becomes solely the responsibility of local taxpayers. Enabling councils to collect a tourism tax, without any of the money going to central government, would not only help to relieve pressure on local government finances but would also help to reduce further demand on government Anthony HarrisCambridge Sir, Libby Purves makes powerful points about the damage done to the starter job opportunities for young people ('Bar, café and retail jobs are society's heartbeat', Jul 21). It brought to mind the contrast my wife and I found on a recent visit to Australia. Shops, restaurants and bars were well staffed by bright, smiling young people who oozed enthusiasm for their role and their customers. Many were young Europeans and clearly motivated by their travel experience, and had been brightly trained by their bosses. Our government, through its policies, is denying our own children the chance to experience life beyond the screen. As Purves implies, the government needs to change R SmithSouthport, Merseyside Sir, Although I admire the creativity of the various top-level chefs in their quest for the perfect mashed potato (report, Jul 22), sometimes simplicity is the best approach. My late mother made the most delicious mash, following the teaching of her own mother. She used old, floury potatoes, gently boiled them until tender then mashed them with a traditional hand-masher. She would add a large knob of butter and a good splash of milk, but the true secret was in the beating: my sister and I competed to beat the mash vigorously with a large tablespoon. The result was CarvellWhitby, N Yorks Sir, Your leader writer is clearly a person of absolute taste ('Brewing Storm', Jul 22). Tea leaves are for brewing: tea bags are for puffy CullenArmagh Sir, Having read James Marriott's excellent comment article (Jul 22) discussing the film Barry Lyndon, I am reminded of another film set in the 18th century: the wonderful 1963 film Tom Jones, with Albert Finley in the title role. The two films couldn't be more different in texture and storytelling but both give a vivid view of life in the middle of that century. I would thoroughly recommend watching both and if stamina permits, one after the GodfreyArborfield Cross, Berks