Take off for passengers as Government scraps extra charges when flying

FAMILIES heading abroad are set to save money as Government steps in to ease pressure on the cost of living in time for next year's summer holidays, scrapping child seating fees and unnecessary admin costs.

Under new plans announced today, Friday, 2 October 2026, airlines will be required to seat children under the age of 14 with a parent or accompanying adult free of charge. Parents should not feel pressured to pay extra simply to sit beside their child; currently, a parent and child could be charged up to:- �104 on a return journey.

Passengers will also be given greater flexibility to correct simple name errors on bookings for free, ending unfair and irritating charges; sometimes as much as:- �40; for minor mistakes or admin tweaks. 

Alongside this, Government has announced it is working with airlines and trade unions to create a new system for sharing information on persistently disruptive passengers.

In 2025, more than:- 1,000 serious disruptive passenger incidents were logged by airlines, including a mid-air brawl that resulted in a flight being diverted, causing significant disruption to passengers and crew as well as costs for the airline.  

The new system will make disruptors easier to spot, keeping staff and passengers safer from the get-go and enabling airlines to take decisions on whether to extend a ban on their airline.

While most UK airlines already offer protections against hidden costs, these new reforms will give passengers greater consistency on all airlines operating in the UK.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:- "Charging parents just to sit with their children is a rip off, plain and simple. And being hit with a hefty fee for a simple spelling mistake on a booking form isn't right either. People are fed up with these little charges that add up, so I'm putting a stop to them. This is what our everyday fixes are all about. Giving people room to breathe by tackling the small irritations that catch people out, waste their time and cost them money."

Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary, said:- "Parents should not have to feel the pinch just to sit next to their child on a flight, or for amending a simple booking error. That's why we're scrapping these unnecessary charges for all airlines � another everyday fix to help put money back in people's pockets and give households more breathing room.  And everyone deserves to travel knowing their flight isn't going to be disrupted by bad behaviour from a small minority.  These common-sense reforms will make flying safer for staff and passengers and protect people from unnecessary charges, whoever they fly with."

This is the latest example of the Prime Minister's series of 'everyday fixes' to tackle the irritations that make life difficult and hit people's wallets, following action on rogue traders overcharging for home improvements, subscription traps that quietly drain bank accounts, and rip-off school uniform costs.

It lands the day after the Government's VAT cut on electricity bills kicked in on:- 1 October 2026, saving households a further �45, as part of a bigger plan to restore fairness to family finances and give people room to breathe.

Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel, said:- "It's clearly unfair to force parents and children as young as three to pay an extra fee just to sit together. Airlines that have separated families are putting profit ahead of passenger peace of mind. Which? has successfully pressured many airlines into dropping these fees over the past 10 years. So it's welcome to see the Government taking firm action on this by outlawing these charges completely and finally putting an end to this rip off. It is also positive to see greater flexibility to amend simple mistakes, protecting consumers from unnecessary charges."

Changes announced today will bring greater consistency across the sector and are set to be delivered following Royal Assent of the Civil Aviation Bill, with industry engaged to ensure swift and fair implementation.  

The move also comes as regulators and lawmakers in the UK and Europe take a tougher stance on air passenger rights.  The Government's changes will mean UK and EU rules line up more closely, giving passengers greater certainty.

Finalists revealed for Southport New Comedian Of The Year 2026

THE Southport New Comedian of the Year competition returns with the Grand Final taking place on:- Saturday, 3 October 2026 as part of the 15th annual Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport.

This year's event is sponsored for a 5th year by Dragon Soop*, a caffeinated alcoholic beverage that comes in a range of flavours.

Isabelle Kent, Sales & Marketing Director, said:- "Dragon Soop is delighted to continue its support of the Southport New Comedian of the Year competition. We wish every act a Sooper Festival experience!"

During a nationwide search, aspiring comedians from all over the UK were invited to apply for one of 8 places in the final. Over 100 comedians applied, we can now reveal which 8 will be going forward to the Grand Final....

Peter Jones... An Inclusion support worker from Kirby, Peter Jones has been going for just 9 months having started comedy in January 2026. Since then, he has had the opportunity to perform at gigs across the North West, as well as running and hosting his own comedy nights. His background in theatre influences his style, which blends general observations with engaging storytelling elements.
Kie Carson... Originally from Wallasey and now based in Toxteth, Kie Carson is a TA in a SEND School. He has been doing stand up since 2003 and is close to 1000 gigs. Winner of the:- Laffin Stock Comedian of the Year in 2025, Kie Carson has made a name for himself with sell out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and progressing far in prestigious competitions like:- So You Think You're Funny, Beat the Frog Word Series and Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year.
Annabelle Devey... Originally from the Midlands but now living in Manchester. Annabelle Devey is a TV runner by day. An observational comedian, Annabelle has been performing stand up comedy for 4 years. She has been described as:- '1 to watch' by:- The Mancunion.
Adam Anwar... Bolton born and raised Adam Awar is an office administrator by day. With 500+ gigs under his belt, Adam was the:- Bolton Star For a Night Winner in 2023 and has been a tour support for:- Phoenix Nights Clinton Baptiste.
Jack Wood... Manchester comedian Jack Wood has been performing stand up for a few years. He has been described as:- "Weirdly Funny" by Notts Comedy Review. Jack was a semi finalist in:- Beat The Frog World Series, and has been shortlisted in the prestigious:- BBC New Comedy Awards. His style is high energy, observational silly comedy.
Jen Sharples... Originally from Darlington and now living in Leeds, Jen is a:- 'Psychological Therapist' for the NHS. She has been doing stand up since March 2025 with 20 gigs under her belt.
Dave Robinson... Originally from Warrington, but now living in Liverpool. Dave has been performing stand up for 3 years in some of the biggest clubs across the country including:- The Frog and Bucket, Hot Water and Angel Comedy. His dry, observational comedic style has earned him a nomination in the:- BBC New Comedy Awards and millions of views on social media. His Mum's very proud.
Mark Williamson... After completing a comedy course in the summer of 2025, Wirral born Mortgage Adviser Mark got the comedy bug and officially started doing stand up in January 2026, on the open mic scene in Liverpool. Since then, he has started to receive regular bookings across:- Merseyside and West Yorkshire, appearing at:- Hot Water comedy and The Frog and Bucket open mic nights.

Last year's winner, Southport born alternative musical comedian Richard McCulloch, knows 1st-hand what winning the competition can do for an emerging performer.

Reflecting on his experience, Richard McCulloch said:- "Almost 1 year ago, the good people of Southport entrusted me with the highest office in local new comedy. Since that day, I have tried to carry out my duties with dignity, humility, and as many props as I can realistically cram into an IKEA storage box. The time will soon come for me to step aside, and for another comedian to take my place. To them I say this:- cherish it. Honour the office. And make the most of the really good video you'll get of yourself performing in front of 200 people, because I've got loads of gigs off the back of mine."

Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said:- "We are thrilled to have Dragon Soop onboard as our sponsor of the competition for a 5th year which promotes and encourages new comedians who are starting off in their career."

The New Comedian of the Year Grand Final is always 1 of the most exciting and supportive nights of the festival, with the standard of comedy consistently making the judges' job incredibly difficult.

So, if you're looking for the next big thing in comedy, come along, support new talent and perhaps witness the stars of tomorrow taking their 1st big steps towards a professional career.

The Southport New Comedian of the Year Grand Final is just 1 of the highlights of the 17 day Southport Comedy Festival, presented in association with:- Halliwell Jones Kia Southport, which celebrates its 15th Anniversary in 2026.

This year's festival line up features some of the biggest names in comedy, including:- Jason Manford, Jason Byrne, Paul Sinha, Jimeoin, Clinton Baptiste, Henning Wehn, Gary Delaney, Paul Merton & Suki Webster, Adam Kay, Mike Wozniak, Seann Walsh, Scott Bennett and the return of comedy legend Mick Miller.

Courtesy of Elite Events, the festival will once again take place under canvas in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee in:- Victoria Park, Southport, home of the world famous Southport Flower Show.

Tickets for the Grand Final and all other festival shows are available from:- SouthportComedyFestival.Com.

What are your thoughts on this news topic? Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or X.Com. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....

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Take off for passengers as Government scraps extra charges when flying

Finalists revealed for Southport New Comedian Of The Year 2026