Meanwhile, the row between Heathrow and airlines continues over fees, while global warming’s effects on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is spelled out by scientists.

Here are the headlines affecting the travel industry making national news on Thursday 12 May.

Sunak ‘preparing support package’ for households

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing to announce a major support package for UK households struggling with soaring energy bills. Sunak’s colleagues said he is looking to make the announcement in August, when regulator Ofgem unveils a new UK energy price cap, which could increase bills to an average £2,900 a year per household. (Financial Times)

Tax cuts to be announced ‘by July’

Tax cuts could be announced before parliament’s summer recess. Ministers have been forced to rethink plans after grim forecasts from the Bank of England suggested the economy was now at risk of recession. Minsters are likely to have enough information to make decisions before the summer recess at the end of July. (Sky News)

Heathrow hits back in fees spat

Heathrow is again locked in a war of words with airlines over plans to hike fees. Virgin Atlantic said Heathrow was “abusing its monopoly to fleece passengers”. The airport said its claims were false, adding carriers were “less interested in giving passengers a reliable journey at the airport and more interested in protecting their profits”. (City AM)

Great Barrier Reef ‘91%’ affected by coral bleaching 

Coral bleaching affected 91% of reefs surveyed along the Great Barrier Reef this year, according to government scientists. Above-average water temperatures caused bleaching throughout the 2,300km reef system, particularly in the between Cape Tribulation and the Whitsundays. (The Guardian)