Latest news with #PaulScott
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair's big claim about new check-in rule - but travel expert isn't convinced
Ryanair has announced that it will move to 100% paperless boarding from November and claimed that "almost all" airport check-in fees will be eliminated as a result A travel expert has questioned a claim made by Ryanair ahead of a major change to the budget airline's check-in policy. On November 3 Ryanair will move to 100% paperless boarding passes, meaning all passengers will have to present a downloaded, digital boarding pass. When the change comes in, Ryanair says it "expects to eliminate almost all airport check-in fees from Nov 2025, as all passengers will have checked-in online/in-app to generate their digital boarding pass." However, that claim has raised some big questions. Primarily, how will the new system stop people checking-in late, and what check-in fees are expected to remain? In its expansive table of fees, Ryanair notes that passengers who fail to check in two hours or more before their flight departs will be charged £55. Even worse, the budget airline recently introduced a £100 'late departure fee'. The charge kicks in if a traveler arrives at the desk less than 40 minutes before departure and requests rebooking. It also applies up to one hour after the flight leaves, if the passenger wants to catch the next available service. There is nothing to suggest that the new regime will stop Ryanair customers from checking-in late, or that the new £100 fee will be removed. Paul Scott, founder of travel comparison site My Budget Break who has worked for and with airlines for years, questioned whether "almost all airport check-in fees" would be eliminated. "Ryanair has said they will 'eliminate almost all airport check-in fees', which indicates there may still be some sort of fee. Until Ryanair clarifies this, we can only speculate, but being ambiguous allows them flexibility on the policy," he told the Mirror. "They may not be sure themselves, or this could be as simple as giving passengers a grace period. After all, check-in fees generate revenue for Ryanair. However, with this policy in place, Ryanair could completely refuse passengers without a digital boarding pass. With this in mind, the best thing to do is to get the app and check-in online to help minimise fees." The Mirror contacted Ryanair and requested that the airline clarify the situation. The firm did offer some advice for passengers who may not be used to working with digital boarding passes. "If you don't have a smartphone, you have two options, you can ask a friend or family member to download the boarding pass for you or check in online and visit the check-in desk at the airport who will provide assistance," a spokesperson said. Broadly, the move away from paper boarding passes has been welcomed by the aviation community. "Ryanair's move to 100% online boarding passes is a no-brainer in today's digital age. You'll still need to use the baggage drop machines and desks if you have check-in luggage, but it certainly won't stop the surprise baggage fees we all love to hate when our hand luggage doesn't meet the correct dimensions," Paul added. "Is putting a sustainability spin on it 'green-washing'? Perhaps. It's likely to be less about saving the planet and more to do with economics, as it could mean fewer airport staff, fewer airport costs, quicker turnaround times, or simply making sure everyone is a Ryanair member for additional upsells. However, for most of our customers who already use the myRyanair app to check-in and access their boarding passes as part of their package holidays, it will be business as usual."
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: California car buyers can make their own choice to bolster state's climate defenses
To the editor: I was heartened to read California has several avenues to continue combating climate change, such as taxing polluting vehicles like Norway does, compelling trucking companies at the ports to use electric trucks and especially Senate Bill 684, the bill making polluters pay. All of these together give us clout ('With its climate progress under assault, California takes up a multipronged defense,' May 18). But there is another tactic we have that, if deployed, would be extremely effective. It's also easy enough that most can do it. Stop buying gas cars. No one can force you to buy a polluting car. Electric vehicles are cost effective for anyone purchasing a car from $10,000 and up, which is most everyone. The average new car price is $48,000, but you can get new EVs with 300 miles in range for under $35,000. So never buy a gas car again. President Trump may be trying to block California's ability to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, but California car buyers have their own power: the power to choose the better vehicle that doesn't pollute. Paul Scott, Santa Monica This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: California car buyers can make their own choice to bolster state's climate defenses
To the editor: I was heartened to read California has several avenues to continue combating climate change, such as taxing polluting vehicles like Norway does, compelling trucking companies at the ports to use electric trucks and especially Senate Bill 684, the bill making polluters pay. All of these together give us clout ('With its climate progress under assault, California takes up a multipronged defense,' May 18). But there is another tactic we have that, if deployed, would be extremely effective. It's also easy enough that most can do it. Stop buying gas cars. No one can force you to buy a polluting car. Electric vehicles are cost effective for anyone purchasing a car from $10,000 and up, which is most everyone. The average new car price is $48,000, but you can get new EVs with 300 miles in range for under $35,000. So never buy a gas car again. President Trump may be trying to block California's ability to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, but California car buyers have their own power: the power to choose the better vehicle that doesn't pollute. Paul Scott, Santa Monica
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
EPUT chief tells Lampard Inquiry that deaths are 'heartbreaking'
The chief executive of a trust at the centre of England's first public inquiry into mental health said the testimonies of bereaved relatives had been "brave, powerful and heartbreaking".The Lampard Inquiry is looking into the deaths of 2,000 people in mental health units in Essex between 2000 and Scott, from Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), said what relatives said had "deeply affected" and "motivated" him to make a of those who have died said they wanted the inquiry to be a chance for lasting change. Giving evidence at the hearing in London, Mr Scott said: "I'd like to offer an apology and condolences to all families who have lost loved ones under the care of Essex mental health."He said hearing testimonies during the inquiry, which also had sessions in September and November, had moved him."They've been brave, powerful and heartbreaking," said Mr Scott, who became chief executive in 2020."These have deeply affected me and motivated me to make a real difference and I'm sorry for their enduring pain."Since joining the organisation I have given everything I have to try and improve safety and I will continue to do so." EPUT was fined £1.5m in 2021 for safety failings over the deaths of 11 Scott said facing families in court was one of the "most profound days of my life".He said it was "shocking to listen to very powerful testimonies of families in the courtroom, how they'd been failed, the impact it had on them"."The responsibility I felt to address that was very powerful with me," he Mr Scott said he felt "overwhelmed by the number of regulators" overseeing the trust after it was fined by the Health and Safety claimed at one point there were thousands of recommendations to implement from 19 to the inquiry, Nicholas Griffin KC, called it a "crowded and confused regulatory landscape". 'More to do' During the hearings, families have accused EPUT of complacency and being defensive over Mr Scott argued that was "far from the case" and stressed the deaths were always on the minds of said he understood families felt things had not changed and admitted there was "a lot more to do".Asked what had caused issues for the trust, Mr Scott blamed low staff said key financial decisions needed to be made to dictate the future of mental healthcare. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
ITV News
15-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Lampard Inquiry: Essex mental health trust boss 'sorry' over 'heartbreaking' failings to families
The chief executive of a mental health trust has admitted at an inquiry that listening to accounts from bereaved families was "extremely sobering and shocking", as he offered an apology. Paul Scott, chief executive officer of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), defended the organisation at the Lampard Inquiry on Thursday and said it should continue to deliver mental health services. The Lampard Inquiry is examining the deaths of more than 2,000 people at NHS-run inpatient units in Essex between 2000 and 2023. It includes those who died within three months of discharge, and those who died as inpatients receiving NHS-funded care in the independent sector. At a hearing in London, he said: 'I'd like to offer an apology and condolences to all families who have lost loved ones under the care of Essex mental health. 'I have listened when I first joined, I've met many families, at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution (which saw the trust fined £1.5 million), I was in the court for that and I've heard testimonies through this inquiry as well. 'They've been brave, powerful and heartbreaking. 'These have deeply affected me and motivated me to make a real difference and I'm sorry for their enduring pain. 'Since joining the organisation I have given everything I have to try and improve safety and I will continue to do so.' Mr Scott became chief executive of EPUT in 2020 and described the HSE prosecution as 'extremely sobering and shocking to listen to very powerful testimonies of families in the courtroom, how they'd been failed, the impact it had on them'. 'The responsibility I felt to address that was very powerful with me,' he said. 'I still remember that every day, that day is probably one of the most profound days of my life.' Mr Scott referred to an opening statement that a barrister for EPUT gave in September last year 'where we were very clear about accepting the failings of the past'. He said: 'We admitted to failings around ligature points and other environmental risks; staff members' culture and conduct; sexual and physical abuse; absconding; discharge and assessment of patients; involvement of family and friends and staff engagement with investigations.' EPUT was formed in 2017 following a merger of the former North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and the South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. Nicholas Griffin KC, counsel to the inquiry, asked Mr Scott if 'financial pressures have adversely impacted patient safety since the merger.' Mr Scott said: 'Since I've joined there has been no financial constraints on our inpatient wards – the constraint is the supply of staff. 'I think prior to that there was very strict financial control, now whether you call that financial constraint or not… 'My view was we should have been investing more earlier.' Thursday's hearing marked the conclusion of an "introductory" three-week session before the next public hearings of the inquiry in July, which will focus on 'those who died while under the care of EPUT's predecessor trusts'. Some families have been left dissatisfied by the hearings so far, according to Hodge Jones & Allen solicitors, which is representing 126 families. Priya Singh, from Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors, said: "I think a lot of the evidence given today is not going to mirror our families' experiences which happened whilst their loved ones were alive and when they passed away, so I think they're going to struggle with the evidence they heard today." Ralph Taylor's wife Carol died in 2023 after being admitted to the mental health unit at St Margaret's Hospital in Epping. Mr Taylor said: "I think there's a failure of culture, I really don't know what you do about it, but I don't think EPUT is the right organisation to do it because of the experience of families. "They've failed to look after so many patients in the past, how can you be confident they'll do that in the future? "I can't bring her back but if we can save at least one life by virtue of them changing how they treat people it's worth it." During the inquiry opening in Chelmsford last year, the chairwoman of the inquiry, Baroness Kate Lampard CBE, said "we may never know" the true number of people who died. But she warned it is expected to be "significantly in excess" of the 2,000 deaths previously reported.
