There is also comprehensive coverage of Wednesday’s Budget, with details of an online sales tax, while chancellor Rishi Sunak also comes in for criticism from many quarters for cutting Air Passenger Duty on domestic flights and creating a new "ultra long-haul" band.

Meanwhile, in Spain, supply chain issues mean many tourists’ favourite tipple is becoming hard to find. Here are the key headlines concerning travel on Thursday 28 October.

Red list ‘to be axed today’

All remaining countries on the red list could be declared Covid safe on Thursday. Ministers are looking into whether they can end the need for hotel quarantine as the risk of a vaccine busting variant declines. Only Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela currently remain on the banned list. (The Telegraph)

Online sales tax plan to help struggling high street retailers

Sunak is drawing up a consultation on an online sales tax which would replace income lost from business rates reform as part of a wider shake-up. The chancellor handed a 50% rates discount worth £7 billion to high street shops, pubs and restaurants hammered by the pandemic in the Budget, the biggest cut in 20 years. (The Telegraph)

Sunak slammed for ‘astonishing’ cut to APD and fuel tax

The chancellor has also been accused of undermining the UK’s response to the climate emergency after his Budget included measures to make it cheaper to take internal flights and drive cars that emit greenhouse gases. The moves were branded “astonishing” and “retrograde” by Friends of the Earth. (The Independent)

Chancellor ‘ignored climate change warnings’ before Budget

There needs to be more action to curb the number of flights in the UK, it was warned, just hours before the chancellor approved a tax cut to make domestic flying cheaper. The Climate Change Committee, the government’s official climate advisors, warned the government’s latest climate strategy “had nothing to say” on limiting growth of flying. (The i)

‘Fly less and eat less meat’, says govt advisor

People will need to cut down on flights and eat less meat to tackle climate change, the UK’s chief scientific adviser has said, warning against relying on new technologies to “save us”. Asked whether he thought people would need to reduce their meat consumption and flying, Sir Patrick Vallance said: “I think I think those are things that need to happen.” He added: “I think we will all need to think about our flying habits.” (The Telegraph)

Brits face booze shortage in Spain

British holidaymakers planning to escape to Spain  could struggle to get their favourite UK drinks brands. Some pubs in popular tourist areas have run out of big-name brands and it is feared many more are close to empty. The shortage is blamed on rising transport and raw material costs, while Brexit was causing supply issues due to delays at customs. (The i)

Squeeze on living standards to come

Britain faces a double squeeze on living standards as two decades of stagnating wages and spiralling inflation conspire against household finances, experts warned after Rishi Sunak’s big-spending Budget. Inflation is expected to reach 4.4% next year, fuelled by post-pandemic supply chain shocks and soaring energy prices, the Office for Budget Responsibility warned. (The Telegraph)

Covid passes set to stay in Europe

Much of Europe is now using Covid passports to enter bars, restaurants, cinemas and museums. Although England does not require a pass, Scotland has now implemented a vaccine passport, while Italy requires a Covid pass to enter a workplace and Austria is about to follow suit. (BBC News)