Queen’s Speech 2017 announces new travel protection bill to give holidaymakers extra rights when booking trips
NEW measures to protect travellers when booking holidays have been announced today’s Queen’s Speech.
A new Travel Protection Bill will allow the government to update the existing ATOL scheme, which was made before the rise in online booking sites.
By law, every UK travel company which sells package holidays and flights is requires to hold an ATOL, which stands for Air Travel Organiser’s Licence.
It was set up in 1973 to protect consumers when booking a holiday, including a flight.
It guarantees that holidaymakers get a refund or can travel home if a company goes bust.
More than three quarters of consumers booked their holiday online last year, according to research by the Association of British Travel Insurers last year.
The new rules mean that businesses which can’t currently apply for licence will be allowed to apply for the ATOL scheme.
Travel firms will also be allowed to trade under the UK’s ATOL scheme rather than signing up to individual schemes in each country they sell holidays too.
At present, holidaymakers who book flights directly with an airline are not protected – but the new bill could be a chance to change that rule.
HOW CAN I CHECK IF MY HOLIDAY IS ATOL PROTECTED
WHEN you book a holiday it's worth checking if it has an ATOL licence:
The agent or holiday booking website will usually give you a certificate confirming that you’ve got ATOL protection as soon as you’ve made your payment.
Make sure you keep the relevant paperwork incase you need to claim.
The protection only covers British-based firms, so it’s vital you check before booking.
When Lowcostholidays went bust, customers weren’t protected by ATOL because the comapny had moved to Spain in 2013.
Some travel firms display the ATOL logo on their website even though they don’t offer the financial protection.
Other measures announced in today’s Queen’s Speech include confirmation of a ban on letting fees, a smart meter roll-out by 2020 and changes to the proposed energy price cap.
There are also measures to help reduce motor insurance premiums by tackling fake personal injury claims and major new help for victims of domestic violence.
It’s part of a new range of measures from the government to help improve Brits’ daily lives.
What is the Queen's Speech?
THE Queen’s Speech is a flagship event that sets out the Government’s agenda for the next two years.
- Where? The Queen’s Speech takes place at the State Opening of Parliament.
- Who? Written by the PM and his or her colleagues, it outlines the Government’s legislative agenda for the coming year.
The event sees the Queen address the House of Lords before the Commons are invited into the chamber by Black Rod, the Monarch’s envoy in Parliament, to hear the speech. MPs then debate the speech back in the House of Commons. - What? It gives the best marker as to what policies will be pursued most vigorously and what plans will be put on the backburner.
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