Latest news with #Post-Brexit
Daily Mirror
31-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Travel expert's passport warning for anyone travelling with children this summer
A travel expert has issued a passport warning to parents ahead of the school summer holidays. Two very important things to check before flying abroad - and you'd want to make sure of it Before jetting off on holiday, it's crucial to check your passport thoroughly. This includes ensuring it's valid for the entirety of your trip and meets the specific entry requirements of your destination country. Many countries stipulate that passports must be valid for a certain period beyond your return date. Failure to comply with these rules can result in denied boarding or entry, leading to significant travel disruptions and financial losses. Post-Brexit, the regulations for UK citizens travelling to Europe have been altered. HM Passport Office, established in 2006, maintains accurate and secure records of key events and conducts trusted passport operations. Before 2013, it was known as the Identity and Passport Service. It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain. The rules differ for children and adult passports. In the UK, a child passport is issued to applicants under 16 years old and is valid for five years. Once a child turns 16, they can apply for an adult passport, which is valid for ten years, reports the Liverpool Echo. With millions set to fly to Europe over August, a travel expert has issued a warning about two vital things parents need to check before embarking on their summer holidays. Simon Hood, executive director of relocation firm John Mason International, warns that expiry and resemblance rules trip up thousands of travellers each year. Millions are set to jet off on foreign holidays this summer, and Simon warns that time is ticking to sort out emergency and replacement passports. The travel guru emphasises: "The most important rule revolves around the differences between children and adult passport validity. Children's passports are valid for five years, versus the adult ten years – so if in doubt, check the expiry date because the last thing you'd want is to turn up to the airport to find your children aren't able to leave the UK." Simon is also cautioning travellers that updating your child's passport might need doing more often than you'd expect. He clarifies: "This is an often-overlooked aspect of passport renewal by parents planning summer getaways, but looking like your passport photo is obviously important." "As a father to young children myself, kids' appearances can quickly change – especially at a young age. So be honest and question whether you need to renew your children's passports ahead of summer flights." British passports have seen numerous alterations through the decades, including changes to cover colour and enhanced security measures. Essential security elements feature a secondary photograph of the bearer, plus a see-through overlay with various holograms. The initial burgundy machine-readable passports were launched in 1988, and over three decades later in 2020, the iconic blue cover made its comeback after Britain's exit from the EU. The blue passports were rolled out and distributed in March 2020. A phased introduction was implemented from mid-2020, ensuring all new passports issued are now blue. However, a significant number of individuals still possess a burgundy passport. When your passport is due for renewal, you'll receive a blue one. However, there's no need to rush for a renewal unless your current passport has expired or doesn't have sufficient validity left for your travel plans.
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Scotsman
25-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
How premium logistics can power Scotland's exports
Mark Rosenberg | Supplied Ask a Scot to name their finest food and drink export and you're likely to spark a fierce debate, says Mark Rosenberg, Chief Commercial Officer, Ports & Terminals, at DP World Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Whatever their preference, everyone can agree that the sector is a phenomenal global success story. The numbers speak for themselves. Last year, Scotland's food and drink exports were valued at £7.1 billion. That's up from £4.9bn in 2014, an increase of roughly 46 per cent over the past decade. This is driven by a strong appetite for its premium produce, such as Scottish salmon which had shipments topping £844 million in 2024. More than a key contributor to the UK economy, Scotland's food and drink industry has become a global benchmark for excellence. However, despite extraordinary market growth, exporters are not immune from trade challenges. Post-Brexit border friction, fluctuating global tariffs and shifting consumer expectations have all made the operating environment increasingly volatile in recent years. The good news is that new trade opportunities are opening routes to growth at a critical moment. Most notably, the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which was signed yesterday (24 July). By cutting levies on 90 per cent of the produce from Scottish exporters - and those elsewhere in the UK - the landmark deal will transform the presence of the UK's exports in India. This is especially promising for food products like Scottish salmon, which have faced prohibitive 33 per cent tariffs. Once they are lifted, exporters will have access to the world's third-largest fish market and a middle class that is expected to grow to a quarter of a billion by 2050. Understandably, many are preparing for significant long-term expansion into the market. Logistics to power exports | Supplied Premium produce requires premium logistics While the potential for growth in both nearby and distant markets is clear, capturing these opportunities depends on the essential but less glamourous matter of logistics. Ageing infrastructure can increase costs and add complexity. Scotland has felt these constraints acutely. However, the challenges also present opportunities for strategic partnerships that can deliver far greater efficiencies across the supply chain. At DP World, we're not shy of the challenge and have invested to ensure UK exporters can seize the trade opportunities of the day. Our deep sea container ports connect exporters across the whole of the UK with overseas markets. In 2013, we opened London Gateway - the UK's first deep-water container port for more than 20 years - and have committed to its growth ever since. Just a few months ago we began work on a £1 billion expansion of its port facilities and rail infrastructure and announced a further £60 million investment in the Port of Southampton. Both will boost handling capacity and improve direct rail services, offering Scottish exporters fast, low-carbon routes to global shipping networks. As exporters hurry to capitalise on the new opportunities, undoubtedly there will be many pitfalls to navigate, whether that's complex regulatory challenges, untested consumer appetites and cultural nuance. That's where the right logistics infrastructure becomes a critical enabler. Labelling and packaging requirements, for example, vary by market and can create bottlenecks if not handled with care - something DP World supports through advanced, market-specific compliance services. Untested consumer appetites also mean shipments need to be agile, fresh and first-class. In this case facilities like The Chill Hub, our temperature-controlled warehouse at London Gateway, are indispensable for high-value perishable goods like Scottish salmon. Alongside connectivity and adaptability, exporters need flexibility. With rail or barge connectivity at 95 per cent of our 20 European sites, Scottish producers have the necessary options to move goods effectively and on schedule should congestion occur. This is an area we continue to invest in, helping to build the resilience that traders will need for the decades ahead. Scotland's food and drink exporters have a long and proud history, but with new trade agreements opening doors to major, high-growth markets like India, this feels like the start of an exciting new chapter. By strengthening the logistics networks and alliances that move goods from A to B, we can help the blue-and-white 'Made in Scotland' label find new admirers around the world. That's an opportunity we can all raise a glass to.
News18
24-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Modi In UK UK Signs Biggest Post-Brexit Trade Deal – Starmer Calls It a 'Game-Changer'
Modi In UK | UK Signs Biggest Post-Brexit Trade Deal – Starmer Calls It a 'Game-Changer' | News18 | India-UK free trade pact signedIn a landmark announcement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has hailed the latest trade agreement as 'the biggest and economically most significant deal since the UK left the European Union.' This historic post-Brexit deal aims to boost economic growth, open new markets, and strengthen the country's global trade agreement is set to benefit key industries including technology, energy, finance, and manufacturing, while also creating new opportunities for exporters and investors. Experts believe this deal could redefine the UK's trade policies for years to come, offering an alternative path to the EU model. n18oc_world
Irish Post
23-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Ireland's financial services hit record levels
IRELAND'S financial services sector has reached a major milestone, now employing more than 60,000 people—up from just 35,500 in 2015. The nearly 70% growth over the past decade is in part to do with Brexit, which caused many companies to relocate operations from Britain to Ireland. However, a new consultation paper from the Department of Finance warns that this Brexit-driven momentum is likely coming to an end. The paper, published as part of a public consultation process on the next phase of the 'Ireland for Finance' strategy, highlights the need for new approaches to ensure continued growth in the sector. 'Ireland is now home to many global financial services giants, many of whom have chosen it as their EMEA headquarters,' the paper notes. 'Post-Brexit, Ireland experienced a further influx of IFS firms relocating from the UK.' But it also cautions that the advantages gained from Brexit are likely to diminish as emerging international hubs like Singapore and Dubai ramp up efforts to attract financial services companies. Launched in 1987 under then-Taoiseach Charles Haughey, the 'Ireland for Finance' strategy has helped transform the country into a global financial services powerhouse. Today, Ireland hosts approximately 600 international financial services companies and ranks as the sixth-largest exporter of financial services in the world. It is also the third-largest domicile for investment funds and has developed strong specialisations in sectors such as banking, funds, asset management, insurance, reinsurance, fintech and aircraft leasing. Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Robert Troy, said Ireland's success stems from a clear and consistent policy approach. In a recent interview with FinTech Magazine, he pointed to fintech as a core focus area of the current strategy. 'This is a sector where we've seen rapid growth over the last decade,' he said. 'And I think that growth probably stems from the fact that we had a clear strategy for Ireland for finance.' Troy also underscored the need for balanced regulation, noting that the Central Bank of Ireland's 'strict but fair' approach has been essential to maintaining investor confidence. 'We're dealing with people's savings, with transferring assets. They want certainty and protections in place.' In addition to rising global competition, the consultation paper outlines other challenges for the sector, including the green transition and sustainability objectives set by both Ireland and the EU. The paper notes that the financial services industry will play a critical role in funding climate-related projects. It also highlights the need to encourage people to move savings from low-interest bank accounts into more productive investments that support long-term economic development. The Programme for Government has set a goal of creating 9,000 new jobs in the IFS sector by 2030, but the Department of Finance warns that in today's uncertain global environment, simply holding onto existing jobs is equally important. Last year, a report by Indecon found that the funds and asset management sector alone delivered nearly €1 billion in direct tax revenue. The public consultation, which is open until September 19, invites stakeholders to contribute their views on how Ireland can continue to grow its financial services sector while identifying barriers to competitiveness. The next phase of the 'Ireland for Finance' strategy will aim to ensure that Ireland remains a globally attractive destination for financial firms, even as the international landscape becomes more complex. See More: Economy, Finance, Finance Minister, Robert Troy
Daily Record
23-07-2025
- Daily Record
New fee to enter European countries as rules change for UK passport holders
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be required for UK passport holders to enter certain European countries from 2027 UK passport holders will soon be required to pay a 20 euro fee for entry into a total of 30 countries, including Spain, Greece and Italy. While the fee has increased from initial expectations, certain individuals will be exempt. Post-Brexit, it will soon become a legal requirement for UK citizens to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) to enter specific European nations. This travel permit is an EU initiative designed to bolster security and safeguard the borders of the Schengen zone - a group of European countries where border controls have been abolished. Originally, the ETIAS was expected to cost 7 euros per person. However, it has since been revealed that the fee will nearly triple, rising to 20 euros for each eligible traveller. Nonetheless, there are those who will not be required to pay this fee. Exemptions apply to children and those over the age of 70. With an ETIAS, travellers can visit European countries as often as they wish for short-term stays. These are typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period, reports Glasgow Live. The roll-out of the scheme has already faced several hiccups. Earlier this year, the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs estimated that the ETIAS will be launched in the last quarter of 2026. After an initial grace period, applying for an ETIAS will become compulsory in 2027. Full list of countries where an ETIAS will be needed Portugal Norway Czech Republic Slovakia Denmark Croatia Lithuania Malta Liechtenstein Romania Spain Netherlands Latvia Bulgaria Switzerland Luxembourg Poland Greece Finland Austria Belgium Iceland Italy Germany Slovenia Estonia France Sweden Hungary This will also be required for travel to Cyprus once the country becomes part of the Schengen area.
