July 2020

Scotland will lift the 14-day quarantine requirement for travellers returning or visiting from 39 countries, including France, Germany and Italy, on Friday (10 July).

Travel abroad from the UK has partially opened up again, after being essentially banned for over 100 days. During that time millions of people have been owed refunds for holidays they couldn't go on. Today MoneySavingExpert.com reveals the results of its latest survey, with 77,000 responses, showing a stark divide in the way different firms treat their customers.

There may be new hope for Ryanair customers waiting for refunds for cancelled flights, as the airline has said it's making "rapid progress" to clear its refund backlog – but some say they're still struggling to get paid.

Holidaymakers have been given the green light to start travelling to some overseas destinations from Saturday, while the quarantine requirement for travellers returning to England will also be lifted next week, as restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic are gradually lifted.

The financial regulator has proposed further measures to support borrowers struggling to make payments on car finance deals, buy-now-pay-later agreements and other credit products due to the coronavirus pandemic, with many set to be offered another three-month payment holiday if needed.

UK holiday accommodation provider Sykes Cottages has reversed its policy on coronavirus cancellations and will now offer customers full cash refunds, after a wave of complaints from customers and intervention from the competition watchdog.

M&S is to relaunch its Sparks card loyalty scheme on Thursday (9 July) – it's scrapping the current points system and taking a new approach to rewards, with some customers able to get money off shopping or in-store freebies. But it's been tight-lipped on some of the details, so it's hard to know exactly how it'll compare to what's on offer now or other schemes – see full analysis on what we know so far below.

Only a minority of airlines have been giving customers refunds for cancellations within acceptable timeframes, according to a review from the aviation regulator – and it's warned it'll take enforcement action if some fail to start paying up more promptly.

The financial regulator has confirmed it will order lenders to take further steps to help customers hit financially by the coronavirus pandemic, including asking them to extend the deadline by which customers have to ask for interest-free overdrafts of up to £500 or payment holidays on credit and store cards, loans and catalogue debt.

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ credit card customers are being paid rebates of £40 each – equivalent to 25% of their annual fee – due to the coronavirus pandemic.