There is also coverage of sterling’s fall in value and new research showing how the staycation boom may be here to stay.

Here are the national news headlines affecting travel on Thursday 30 September.

Furlough scheme ends despite calls to retain it

The UK’s furlough scheme closes today, despite some badly-hit sectors including travel saying support should continue. Furlough was introduced in March 2020 and helped pay the wages of 11.6 million workers. At the end of July it was still supporting the incomes of around 1.6 million employees, latest HMRC figures show. (BBC News)

Older workers and Londoners at most risk as furlough schemes close

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned Londoners are among those most vulnerable to long-term unemployment since the capital — still affected by the slow return of office workers — had higher furlough rates and lower vacancy rates than elsewhere in the country. It added only one-third of the over 50s who lost jobs in the pandemic had found another after six months. (Financial Times)

Sterling falls to lowest level for 10 months

Sterling has dropped to its lowest level against the dollar this year amid fears that Britain is slipping into a high-inflation, low-growth trap that hammers living standards. Weak growth and rising prices saw the pound fall to $1.3441, its lowest since 28 December. (The Times)

Staycations to inject over £9 billion into economy

Barclays has estimated that if a preference for UK holidays continues at the same rate in 2022, it would add up to £9.2 billion to the domestic tourism market. Barclays’ Leisure Rediscovered report found 45% of consumers were more likely to opt for a UK holiday than before the pandemic. Only 19% were more likely to go abroad. (City AM)

La Palma volcano lava reaches ocean

Lava from the volcanic eruption on La Palma has reached the sea after a nine-day journey in which it destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced thousands to flee. The lava has formed a pyramid more than 50 metres high in the water, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography said in a tweet. (The Times)