News
Cardiff Airport defends ‘unlawful’ funding at tribunal
A tribunal has been held to debate the legitimacy of a proposed subsidy for Cardiff Airport, which Bristol has contested as being contrary to the law.
A £205.2m subsidy for Cardiff Airport, provided by the Welsh government, has been defended by lawyers in a competition appeal tribunal.
According to George Peretz KC, the funding is legitimate and will have a broader positive impact on the Welsh economy, extending beyond the airport's immediate needs.
Bristol Airport has challenged the subsidy, arguing that it is unlawful and could unfairly disrupt the market, and has requested that the competition appeal tribunal overturn the decision.
The tribunal's ruling is anticipated to be delayed, with a decision expected at a later date.
Peretz KC emphasized that the subsidy is not a rescue package, but rather a strategic investment that aims to deliver widespread economic benefits to Wales, exceeding the airport's basic survival needs.
He also disputed claims that government officials had failed to properly assess whether Cardiff Airport qualified as a struggling or insolvent enterprise before approving the subsidy.
Peretz KC questioned the validity of Bristol Airport's claim that the subsidy translates to a taxpayer contribution of £71.50 per passenger, stating that the calculation is flawed.
He argued that Bristol Airport's analysis overlooks additional expenditures made by passengers traveling through Cardiff Airport, which should be taken into account.
Approximately half of the £205.2m subsidy is earmarked for route development, a move that Bristol Airport argues could be used to unfairly lure airlines to Cardiff and undermine competition between the two airports.
The Welsh government's barrister countered that it is standard practice for airports to offer upfront payments to airlines to secure their business.
"Airports must be prepared to offer these incentives if they want to attract airlines," he said, emphasizing that this is a common commercial practice in the industry.
In April 2025, the Welsh government officially announced plans for a 10-year, £205.2m subsidy for Cardiff Airport.
Ministers have allocated £20m for the current financial year, with the remaining amount to be phased in over the next decade, supporting new maintenance facilities, hangars, and cargo capacity.
The tribunal was informed that roughly half of the subsidy will be used for route development, focusing on key global hubs and destinations that can drive economic growth.
Following the publication of the subsidy details in July 2025, Bristol Airport filed an appeal with the competition appeal tribunal.
On Monday, Bristol Airport's barrister, Ewan West KC, argued that the government's plans for Cardiff Airport should be overturned.
Mr. West stated that the subsidy should be deemed unlawful, emphasizing that Bristol Airport is not seeking to eliminate Cardiff from the market, but rather ensure that any competition is fair and lawful.
During the hearing, Bristol Airport argued that the subsidy is equivalent to a taxpayer contribution of £71.50 per passenger and that the Welsh government failed to properly evaluate whether Cardiff Airport meets the criteria for an "ailing or insolvent enterprise" under subsidy regulations.
The two-day hearing, chaired by Ben Tidswell, has concluded in Cardiff, and the tribunal is expected to reserve its judgment until a later date.
Business
US inflation slows as used vehicle prices decline
According to the most recent official data, prices increased by 2.4% over the 12 months ending in January, marking the smallest gain since May.
The US experienced a slowdown in inflation last month, driven by decreases in energy and used car prices.
According to the Labor Department, the consumer price index increased by 2.4% over the past 12 months, ending in January, marking a decline from the previous month's 2.7% and the slowest rate since May.
This development may support the argument made by US President Donald Trump and others that the central bank has the flexibility to lower interest rates without triggering a surge in prices.
However, analysts caution that progress toward the Federal Reserve's inflation target of 2% may be hindered in the coming months if companies begin to pass on tariff costs to consumers more extensively.
Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors, noted that the impact of tariffs remains uncertain and pointed out other data anomalies that could have influenced the January figures.
Birrell stated that the January report is likely to pave the way for a potential rate cut in the near future.
He added that the US economy appears to be performing well, with strong growth, stable inflation, a robust job market, and a Federal Reserve that has the ability to adjust its policies as needed.
News
Tudor to take interim charge of Tottenham
Igor Tudor has reached an agreement to take the reins as Tottenham’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Tottenham has reached an agreement with Igor Tudor to take the helm as interim head coach for the remainder of the current season.
For the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and perspectives from fans, look to Tottenham's recent news and discussion.
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News
Court rejects bid to overturn single-sex toilet rules
Critics argued that the guidelines provided for establishments, including hospitals, retail stores, and eateries, contained legal inaccuracies and were overly simplistic in nature.
A recent ruling by a High Court judge has upheld the Equality and Human Rights Commission's stance on guidance regarding toilet and changing room access for transgender individuals in public and workplace settings.
In April of the previous year, the EHRC released interim guidance, which was subsequently withdrawn six months later, stating that single-sex facilities should be restricted to individuals of the same biological sex.
According to the guidance, a transgender woman, who is biologically male but identifies as female, would be expected to utilize a gender-neutral or male facility, rather than female-designated toilets and changing rooms.
Critics argued that the EHRC's guidance for employers, including establishments like hospitals, shops, and restaurants, was flawed and oversimplified.
During the November hearing, the EHRC maintained that its temporary guidance did not infringe upon the human rights of transgender individuals.
Mr Justice Swift denied the Good Law Project's application for a judicial review, but requested further submissions from all parties to determine whether an appeal would be permitted.
The EHRC's withdrawn guidance was issued in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling in April 2025, which clarified that the terms "woman" and "sex" under the 2010 Equality Act refer to biological sex and women.
The EHRC is currently developing a comprehensive code of practice, which is under review by the government.
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