Category: North Edinburgh News

Year of the Cabbage?

Aldi supplier reveals cabbage demand soars 

  • Aldi supplier reveals cabbage demand soars as 2026 declared ‘Year of the Cabbage’
  • East Lothian producer, and long-term Aldi supplier, says Scotland’s mild summers make it the greatest place in the UK for growing brassica   

With 2026 being named as “The Year of the Cabbage”, what might once have sounded tongue-n-cheek is now a reflection of reality in Scottish fields and supermarkets.  

While the declaration may have brought a smile, Scotland’s longest cabbage season is no fashion statement. In East Lothian’s fertile soils, it is the result of climate, careful selection and long-term investment. If 2026 is indeed the Year of the Cabbage, Scotland is already well ahead of the trend.  

Scottish cabbage producer, East Lothian Produce – a third generation farm run by the Logan family – have their sights set on harvesting Savoy cabbage from June right through to the end of April to meet demand. Thanks to the region’s relatively frost-free climate, it gives Scotland the longest Savoy season anywhere in the UK.  

“Our location is one of our biggest strengths,” says Chris Logan at East Lothian Produce. “East Lothian has a kind climate and is one of the most frost free areas in Scotland, which is ideal for winter brassicas.

“We are able to harvest Savoy fresh from the field every day through the winter months, which is quite unique.”  

The cooler Scottish summer also plays a defining role in quality. “Our cabbages grow more slowly and steadily compared to warmer parts of the UK”, Chris explains. “That slower growth means less stress on the plant and produces a strong, resilient cabbage with excellent texture and shelf life.”  

East Lothian Produce and its partnership with Kettle Produce Ltd supplies Aldi Scotland with locally-grown cabbages and grows an extensive range of varieties to meet demand across the seasons. Across the Savoy crop alone, 18 varieties are selected for qualities such as early maturity, frost tolerance, flavour and visual appeal.  

Red cabbage has become a particular growth area. Early varieties such as Alfaro and Redma are followed by Kilmaro and Redema for long-term storage, with new varieties currently under trial to enhance storage ability and reduce waste.

White cabbage varieties range from early cropping types suited to rig packing to later, more compact heads bred for strong keeping quality.  

“We are constantly trialing new varieties,” says Chris. “Red cabbage especially is seeing genuine growth. A lot of that is driven by interest in raw recipes, fermentation and pickling, which taps into the wider focus on gut health and fibre.”  

Cabbage’s resurgence aligns with broader consumer trends. It is low in calories, high in fibre and rich in vitamins C and K, while red cabbage contains anthocyanins linked to heart health. As shoppers look for whole, minimally processed foods that offer value and versatility, the brassica is being reappraised.  

“It used to be seen as quite old fashioned,” Chris says. “But when you roast it, char it or ferment it, it becomes something completely different. We are seeing it move from being a side dish to being the centre of the plate.”  

For Aldi Scotland, the story is also about backing local producers. New research from Scotland Food & Drink has found a growing appetite for Scottish produce, both at home and across the UK.*   

Alan Leslie, Buying Director at Aldi Scotland, says supporting Scottish growers remains central to the retailer’s approach. “We are incredibly proud to work with over 90 dedicated Scottish suppliers who collectively stack our shelves with more than 450 Scottish products.   

“Our commitment to sourcing locally grown food means our customers can enjoy fresh, high-quality produce while supporting Scottish agriculture.   

“As interest in fibre rich foods continues to grow and cabbage enjoys its moment in the spotlight, it is fantastic to see products grown right here in Scotland being appreciated and given their hero-moment on shelves.”  

A head of Scottish cabbage can be picked up at Aldi for £0.75 for savoy and sweetheart, and £0.89 for red and white cabbage    

Aldi was recently named Which?’s Cheapest Supermarket of 2025.   

You can find your nearest Aldi here.   

North Edinburgh Community Festival: Scruffs Dog Show is back!

SATURDAY 16 MAY at WEST PILTON PARK

🐾 Scruffs Dog Show is back — and we can’t wait to see your four‑legged superstars shine!

From waggiest tail to best male, this is your pup’s moment to steal the spotlight. Bring the family, bring the fun, and let’s celebrate the dogs who make our days brighter.

📅 Join us on the day and get ready for a whole lot of paws, applause, and happy chaos!

Saturday 16th May, 1.30pm – 3.30pm

West Pilton Park

£2 entry fee

Build-to-rent ‘back in play’ as thousands of stalled homes set for revival 

Scotland’s build-to-rent (BTR) sector is set for a comeback after a period of uncertainty that resulted in stalled development activity.

New legislation exempting BTR from rent control measures has the potential to unlock nearly 10,000 homes and trigger a wave of renewed investment, according to property consultancy Ryden. The findings form part of Lambert Smith Hampton’s (LSH) “Live & Kicking” Build to Rent Report 2026, which highlights how regulatory change in Scotland could unlock new development. 

There are currently no large-scale BTR schemes under construction anywhere in Scotland, despite a significant pipeline of approved developments. This highlights the scale of the slowdown that has gripped the market since 2022.

Development activity effectively came to a halt following the introduction of emergency rent controls during the cost-of-living crisis, which led to a sharp drop in investor confidence and delayed new projects across the country.

However, the introduction of new regulations exempting BTR developments from rent controls has provided long-awaited clarity, prompting a significant shift in sentiment across the sector.

The Private Housing Rent Control (Exempt Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2026, which came into force in April, confirm that qualifying BTR schemes will not be subject to rent control measures, removing a key barrier that has held back delivery for more than three years.

As a result, developers and investors are now returning to the market, with activity expected to focus initially on Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Ryden, part of the LSH Group, led the Scotland-focused analysis within the report. 

David Fraser, Partner in Residential Investment & Development, Ryden, said: “The market effectively ground to a halt after 2022, but we’re now seeing a clear turning point. The introduction of rent control exemptions has restored the certainty investors need to commit to new projects.

“Scotland has moved from one of the most uncertain BTR markets in the UK to one of the most compelling investment opportunities. With a substantial consented pipeline of nearly 10,000 units already in place, the opportunity now is to unlock delivery and help address the country’s housing shortfall.”

More than 5,200 BTR homes have been delivered across Scotland to date, with activity heavily concentrated in Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, this remains well below the level seen in comparable UK cities, where BTR has become a key driver of housing supply and city centre regeneration.The attractiveness of the BTR sector is reinforced by strong tenant demand and occupancy levels in the completed schemes. 

Industry experts also point to significant untapped potential, with Scotland’s major cities lagging far behind English counterparts in terms of BTR provision, despite strong population growth and a high proportion of young renters.

There has also been a marked increase in interest in the development of co-living and single-family rental (SFR) products in Scotland, both of which are expected to play a growing role in accelerating delivery, particularly as policymakers seek solutions to Scotland’s housing emergency.

Crucially, recent policy changes mean Scotland now offers a more stable and potentially more attractive regulatory environment for BTR investment than England & Wales, opening the door for domestic and international capital to re-enter the market.

With demand continuing to rise and barriers to investment now easing, Ryden believes Scotland is entering a new phase for build-to-rent growth, with long-delayed developments now expected to move forward.

Last Chance Saloon? Starmer turns to old guard following election disaster

STARMER RECRUITS BROWN AND HARMAN AS CALLS FOR RESIGNATION GROW

Keir Starmer has appointed two old (‘New’?) Labour figures following disastrous election results on Thirsday. The latest in a long line of ‘resets’ will see Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman taking on roles in government.

Keir Starmer appointed Gordon Brown as the Prime Minister’s Special Reviewer on Global Finance and Cooperation yesterday. The former Prime Minister will advise on how global finance cooperation can build a stronger Britain, boosting the country’s security and resilience.

His appointment comes as the UK prepares to hold the Presidency of the G20 next year.

He will be tasked with developing new international finance partnerships that can support defence and security-related investment, including measures that underpin the UK’s relationship with Europe.

As part of the role he will engage with international leaders and finance institutions as well as private finance partners to establish multilateral finance mechanisms.

Gordon Brown was Britain’s longest-serving modern Chancellor of the Exchequer.

As Prime Minister, he worked with international counterparts as they responded to the worldwide financial crisis.

In April 2009, he hosted the G20 Summit in London where world leaders pledged to make an additional $1.1 trillion available to help the world economy through the crisis and restore credit, growth and jobs.

Gordon Brown will report directly to the to the Prime Minister. This is an unpaid part-time role.

Keir Starmer also appointed Harriet Harman as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Women and Girls.

Baroness Harman will advise the PM on how to galvanise Government to deliver for women and girls.

She will work with ministers across Government to drive an impactful agenda focusing on tackling violence against women and girls, unlocking economic opportunity, and improving representation.

The role will see her draw on work with women across Parliament to identify action needed to tackle misogyny and deliver greater opportunity for women in parliamentary and public life.

As part of the appointment, she will also work with the Cabinet Secretary to drive a shift in culture across the Civil Service and Ministerial offices, enhancing opportunity for women and enhancing government delivery for women.

Throughout her career, Baroness Harman has been a vocal advocate for women and girls, including on issues such as women’s political representation, maternity rights, and tackling violence against women and girls.

In her previous role as Solicitor General, Harriet led a successful drive within government to make tackling domestic violence a priority.

The campaign led to the introduction of a new law – the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act – to ensure more effective prosecutions for domestic violence and a new network of 60 specialist domestic violence courts.

Her appointment underlines the Government’s commitment to empowering women and girls.

For the first time, this government has declared the scale of violence and abuse suffered by women and girls in this country is a national emergency.

The landmark Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy sets out how we will achieve our pledge to halve these vile crimes in a decade – stopping violence before it starts, relentlessly pursuing perpetrators and better supporting victims and survivors.

Baroness Harman will report directly to the to the Prime Minister. This is an unpaid part-time role.

The appointments come after a dreadful set of election results across the country on Thursday, brought about by increasing criticism of the Prime Minister’s decision-making.

The appointments smack of desperation as Starmer tries to shore up his position – incredible given the scale of his majority just two years ago.

Some (doubtless unwanted) words of advice from another Labour Party leader:

Growing anger within the Labour movement has now seen one backbench MP threaten to challenge Starmer’s leadership if no-one in the cabinet is willing to do so.

Catherine West has given her colleagues until tomorrow (Monday) to put up or shut up. Doubtless some telephones will be red hot over this weekend.

Following a poor Holyrood result that saw Labour sharing a distant second place with Reform, there’s a call for change at the top of Scottish Labour, too.

Campaign for Socialsim said: “Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie have failed to convince working class voters that we are on their side.

“They must now resign with grace and pass on the torch to those who can.”

Edinburgh property firm leads charge for hedgehog-friendly homes

Campaign aims to make gardens safer for threatened native species

HOMEOWNERS across Edinburgh and the Lothians are being encouraged to make their gardens safer for one of the UK’s most loved native species as part of a new campaign launched for Hedgehog Awareness Week.

Timed to coincide with the national awareness week running from 3–9 May, the initiative will see homebuyers and sellers offered guidance on how to create “hedgehog-friendly homes” through simple changes to gardens and outdoor spaces.

Ralph Sayer has launched the campaign in partnership with Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, positioning itself as what is believed to be the first estate agency in the UK to actively champion hedgehog-friendly homes within the property sector.

The campaign includes a practical checklist for buyers and sellers, designed to help households support hedgehogs through small but meaningful actions such as creating garden access points, avoiding harmful chemicals and maintaining wildlife-friendly planting.

By incorporating wildlife-conscious advice into the home-moving process, Ralph Sayer hopes to raise awareness among homeowners at a key moment when they are already thinking about their property and outdoor space.

Tzana Webster, Head of Estate Agency at Ralph Sayer, said: “Buying or selling a home is often about imagining the life you want to build there and for many people that includes creating a welcoming outdoor space.

“Gardens do not just belong to us. They are vital habitats for wildlife, and hedgehogs in particular rely heavily on connected, accessible green spaces to survive.

“We saw an opportunity to do something genuinely positive that had not really been explored in the property market before and use our position to encourage people to think differently about their gardens.

“If simple changes made during a house move can help protect local wildlife, then that is something worth championing.”

The initiative forms part of Ralph Sayer’s broader commitment to supporting community causes across Edinburgh and the Lothians, with the firm continuing to back local charities, organisations and projects that deliver practical benefit beyond the property sector.

Hedgehog populations in the UK have declined significantly in recent decades, with habitat loss, urban development and inaccessible gardens all contributing to falling numbers.

Conservation groups have repeatedly highlighted the importance of connected residential gardens in helping hedgehogs travel safely between feeding and nesting sites.

Ann Morrison of Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, said: “One of the biggest issues hedgehogs face in urban and suburban areas is fragmented habitats.

“People often do not realise that something as simple as a fence with no gap underneath can cut off vital access routes and make it much harder for hedgehogs to forage, nest and survive.

“It is brilliant to see a business in the property sector taking the lead and using its platform to help raise awareness.”

The “Hedgehog Heroes” campaign will be promoted across Ralph Sayer’s offices and digital channels throughout Hedgehog Awareness Week, with educational content and advice aimed at helping homeowners better understand how they can support local wildlife.

The campaign has also prompted discussion within Ralph Sayer’s private client team around the growing number of people seeking to reflect environmental values in their estate planning. That includes clients increasingly exploring ways to leave charitable gifts to conservation organisations in their wills or make provisions aimed at protecting green space and wildlife for future generations.

Ralph Sayer believes the campaign reflects growing public interest in sustainability and biodiversity, particularly among buyers and families placing greater emphasis on environmentally conscious living.

The firm hopes the initiative will help spark broader discussion across the property sector about the role homes and gardens can play in supporting wildlife, while encouraging other businesses to consider how their industries can contribute to practical conservation efforts.

To find out more about Ralph Sayer and their services, please visit: 

https://ralphsayer.com/

To find out more about Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, please visit: 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580280542569

Corstorphine Fair opportunities

📣 Calling all community groups and businesses! 🎪

Applications to join Corstorphine Fair 2026 will be closing soon, so if you’d like to be involved, now’s the time to get in touch!

Our small team is working hard behind the scenes to work through a huge number of enquiries, thank you for your patience and support 🙌

👥 Community groups or registered charities:

Apply here 👉https://forms.gle/nmgAWC3SXgdiKTHQ8

🏢 Businesses interested in taking part:

📩 Please email corsfair@hotmail.com

⚠️ Please note: We are now no longer accepting applications for craft stalls.

We’ve had a fantastic response so far, but we’d still love to give more groups, organisations and businesses the opportunity to be part of this year’s fair.

Corstorphine Fair is dedicated to supporting the local community, so why not get involved? 🎉

🌐 Looking for more information? Visit: www.CorstorphineFair.org.uk

📅 6th June

⏰ 11am – 4pm

📍 St Margaret’s Park, Edinburgh

⏳ 30 days to go!

Big Give Christmas Challenge 2026 opens for application

• Last year, the campaign raised a record £57.4 million in one week
 • More than 1,500 charities took part in last year’s campaign
 • Applications are now open to charities across all sectors

Big Give has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Christmas Challenge. Charities of all sizes are invited to apply to take part in the week long initiative, which continues to grow year on year and offers organisations the opportunity to double donations during the festive giving season.

Applications for the 2026 Christmas Challenge open on 11th May 2026 and close on 3rd July 2026 at 5pm, giving charities a limited window to secure their place in the campaign.

The Christmas Challenge, which takes place in early December to coincide with Giving Tuesday, enables charities to secure match funding from Big Give’s network of Champion funders, including philanthropists, foundations and corporate partners. This model allows public donations to be doubled, significantly increasing the impact of each contribution.

Confirmed Champions in 2026 include The Reed Foundation, The Childhood Trust, The Reed Educational Trust, The Monday Charitable Trust, The Hospital Saturday Fund amongst many others. Big Give is also delighted to announce a new partnership with the St. James’s Place Foundation, which will ring‑fence its Champion funding specifically for the hospice sector.

The campaign builds on strong momentum from previous years. In 2025, more than 1,500 charities participated, raising a record £57.4 million with the support of over 150,000 donors. The initiative has become a vital fundraising moment for the sector, particularly as charities continue to navigate rising costs and increasing demand for services.

Through the Christmas Challenge, participating organisations also gain access to a range of support, including training, campaign tools and marketing guidance, helping them to strengthen their digital fundraising capabilities and engage new audiences. 

Last year, charities estimated that almost a third of all of the donations they received in the campaign were from new supporters. In addition, 92% of the charities reported increased confidence in digital fundraising and 98% of the charities would recommend the campaign to another charity. 

Alongside flagship campaigns like the Christmas Challenge, Big Give also delivers targeted initiatives such as Small Charity Week, which focuses on supporting smaller organisations to build resilience and grow their fundraising potential.

Alex Day, Managing Director, Big Give, said: “Following another record-breaking year for the Christmas Challenge, which raised an incredible £57.4 million in just one week, we’re delighted to open applications for 2026 and welcome charities from across the sector to be part of this growing movement.

“The campaign continues to demonstrate the power of collective giving, bringing together Champion funders, charities and the public to achieve extraordinary impact. As demand for charitable services rises, the Christmas Challenge remains a vital opportunity for organisations to amplify their fundraising and reach new supporters, doubling donations at a time when generosity is at its peak.”

Applications are now open, with charities encouraged to apply early to take advantage of one of the most significant fundraising opportunities in the UK calendar.

For more information and to apply, please visit Big Give’s Christmas Challenge page

A Turner Triumph: Iconic sunrise painting shown in Scotland for the first time

An acclaimed painting by renowned artist JMW Turner is now on display at the National in Edinburgh. Norham Castle, Sunrise is one of the artist’s most celebrated late works and a highlight of the Turner Bequest at Tate.

Its arrival offers visitors a unique opportunity to see this iconic painting, which is on display in Scotland for the first time and free to visit until 4 October 2026.

Norham Castle, Sunrise is one of Turner’s most hauntingly beautiful and intriguing paintings. With its loose, watercolour-like brushwork and glowing colours, it shows Turner’s work at its most experimental, pushing his exploration of sunlight on landscape to extremes.

Unknown in the artist’s lifetime, Norham Castle, Sunrise was one of over 300 oil paintings left in his studio at the time of his death. It is often regarded as emblematic of the expressive, free style of painting now most associated with Turner.

The most famous British artist of the 19th century, Turner was born in London in 1775. His combination of exceptional talent, intellectual curiosity and relentless hard work resulted in paintings which capture the sublime beauty of nature and encourage us to look again at the world around us.

In a career spanning 50 years, he developed new ways of painting. Experimenting with an array of techniques and colour, Turner created works which continue to captivate and excite audiences today.

Norham Castle is situated on the River Tweed, six miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed and at a point where the river forms the border between England and Scotland.

Set on a high mound on the English side and commanding a vital crossing point, the 12th-century castle was one of the most important Border strongholds and was besieged at least 9 times.

It remained a site of military significance until the union of the English and Scottish crowns in 1603 and is integral to Borders history and legend, inspiring Sir Walter Scott’s influential long-form poem Marmion (1808). 

Turner felt enormous affection for Norham Castle. He first visited in 1797, aged 22, returning in 1801 as part of his first extended tour of Scotland, and again in 1831, when he was staying with Scott at Abbotsford, near Melrose in the Borders.

Captivated by the vision of the great tower silhouetted against the sky, he sketched the castle from different viewpoints and studied the site under different light conditions, constantly finding something new.

Norham was a rich source of inspiration for him, generating showpiece watercolours and landscape prints.  Such was the importance of Norham to Turner’s career that on his final visit in 1831, he is said to have bowed and doffed his hat to the mighty ruins.

Norham Castle, Sunrise comes from a group of light-filled oil paintings from the 1840s, in which Turner revisited favourite subjects from earlier in his career, basing his compositions on his Liber Studiorum prints – a series of 71 engravings intended to demonstrate the power and importance of landscape art. 

Drawing upon memory and imagination, Turner captures the essence of this much-loved landscape and shows it transformed by the power of light.  

Charlotte Topsfield, Senior Curator European & Scottish Art, said: “We are so excited to have Norham Castle, Sunrise on display in Scotland for the first time and free for everyone to see.

“One of Turner’s best loved paintings, it is an astonishing exploration of light, landscape and the power of memory. We are very grateful to Tate for this special loan, allowing us to share this wonderful picture with our visitors.”
 
Norham Castle, Sunrise can be found on display at National Galleries Scotland: National, with works from Scotland’s national art collection including another oil by Turner, Somer Hill, Tonbridge by Joseph Mallord William Turner | National Galleries of Scotland and a later painting of Norham Castle from the collection by Scottish artist George Reid, Norham Castle by Sir George Reid | National Galleries of Scotland. 

Edinburgh returns new MSPs in Scottish Parliament Election 2026

The results for Edinburgh’s six city constituencies, along with the seven seats for the Edinburgh and Lothians East region were announced at the Royal Highland Centre yesterday (Friday 8 May).

The declarations were made by Paul Lawrence, Returning Officer for the Edinburgh constituencies, and Regional Returning Officer for Edinburgh and Lothians East.

The newly elected Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are listed below, with further details of the results available on the city council’s website:

Edinburgh Central: Lorna Jane Slater, Scottish Green Party (4,582 majority)

Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith: Ben Macpherson, Scottish National Party (3,071 majority)

Edinburgh North Western: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrats (13,016 majority)

Edinburgh Northern: Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Scottish Liberal Democrats (2,493 majority)

Edinburgh South Western: Simita Kumar, Scottish National Party (3,289 majority)

Edinburgh Southern: Daniel Guy Johnson, Scottish Labour Party (4,963 majority)

Edinburgh and Lothians East (Region):

  • Kate Nevens – Scottish Green Party
  • Angela Ross – Reform UK
  • Irshad Ahmed – Scottish Labour Party
  • Miles Briggs – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Q Manivannan – Scottish Green Party
  • Katherine Sangster – Scottish Labour Party
  • Kayleigh Ferguson Kinross-O’Neill – Scottish Green Party

Paul Lawrence, Constituency and Regional Returning Officer said: “I’d like to thank our colleagues in the Elections team and across the Council for their hard work and many months of planning in delivering this election.

“This is one of the most important duties that we carry out and truly is public service at its very best. I’d also like to thank Police Scotland, the candidates, agents, and media for working with us throughout the process.

“I wish our new MSPs the best of luck and I have no doubt they will represent our city, our region, and its residents with great pride. 

“Finally, I’d like to thank our residents for taking the time to cast their votes and make their voices heard.”

The total electorate for the city constituencies was 387,355, total votes cast 223,815, and turnout 57.8%.

For the region, the electorate was 564,571, total votes cast 320,286 and turnout 56.7%.

SCOTTISH RESULT:

SNP 58 (– 6 on 2021 results)

LABOUR 17 (- 4)

REFORM 17 (+ 17)

SCOTTISH GREENS 15 (+ 6)

CONSERVATIVE 12 (- 19)

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT 10 (+ 6)

Edinburgh_and_Lothians_East_Regional_DeclarationDownload

Jet fuel and travel plans: what you need to know

UK airlines say that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. The government is working with industry and international partners to keep passengers moving

There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.

Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK?

UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.

Do you need to change your travel plans?

There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.

We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.

We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.

Read about the latest action that government is taking to to protect summer holidays from disruption.

Are airlines cancelling lots of flights?

While there has been media reporting on flights cancelled internationally, Cirium has stated that its data shows only 0.53% of the UK’s planned flights for May 2026 have been cancelled. The Department for Transport (DfT) analysis of OAG data shows that only around 1,200 flights departing from the UK have been cancelled from 3 May to 14 June 2026. This represents less than 1% of planned flights over this period and is within the range of the number of cancellations we would expect within that period.

Airlines often change or remove a small number of flights based on demand and other operational factors, and we continue to monitor the situation. Reductions to summer flight schedules have predominantly been to countries in closer proximity to the Middle East due to the conflict.

How is the government protecting passengers?

Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:

  • depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
  • arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
  • arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline

For more information about your rights, you can:

What is government doing?

Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported.

We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.

How are airlines being supported?

At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land.

Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.

Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.

The government is also seeking industry views on slot rules for the summer 2026 and winter 2026 seasons. The temporary measures would allow airlines to consolidate schedules on routes with multiple flights to the same destination on the same day.

This means airlines can better plan ahead and focus on minimising disruption for passengers. It can also reduce fuel consumption by consolidating passengers onto fewer flights, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.