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What are you looking for, see things differently, welcome to britain.

Discover inventive new experiences and captivating stories in 2024, brought together with a dose of British flair. From exploring film settings and pioneering cultural spaces to countryside trails and relaxing wellness retreats, it’s all happening on our shores and you’re invited!

Join immersive exhibitions as the National Gallery celebrates a landmark anniversary or get a taste for chocolate as Birmingham’s Cadbury World also marks its 200th birthday. Venture off the beaten track for new coastal adventures, exploring new trails and walking routes, or take in sporting action as the world’s best compete in everything from athletics to the Premier League.

Whether it’s getting a feel for our vibrant cultural cities, embarking on a coastal adventure, or discovering locations made famous by film and TV, it’s time to experience Britain differently.

VisitBritain/Helena Bradbury

Explore different

VisitBritain/Kieran Duncan

Glen Coe, Scotland

Spilling the tea on GB

We’re spilling the tea on the hottest experiences – and it’s not just a good old brew that we’re mad about.

Cardiff, Wales

Key sporting moments in 2024

Grab your tickets, or a spot by a screen, and join the atmosphere of brilliant British sport.

VisitBritain/Simon Anderson/Royal Pavilion//Nutkhut and Dr Blighty

Day trips from London

Britain packs a punch when it comes to the eclectic range of destinations within close proximity to London.

VisitBritain/Daniel Struthers

Parc national de Sowdonia (Eryri), Pays de Galles

How to see Britain differently

From gastronomic adventures to eco-friendly stays, there’s always more to explore on Britain’s shores.

VisitBritain - The official tourism website of Great Britain

Providing you with inspirational activities and experiences, from those in the know.

Your guidance and information about travelling to Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Helping the travel industry showcase the best of Britain.

Cultural hotspots

An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

VisitBritain/Hazel Parreno

From palaces to cobbled alleys, and a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester.

VisitBritain/Manchester Craft Beer Festival

A quirky seaside city filled with diverse cuisine, vintage shopping and adrenaline fuelled adventure.

VisitBritain/i360

From The Beatles to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music with seriously cool credentials.

Oh Me Oh My

Cool creative Bristol is a must-see for art, culture and action-packed adventure.

VisitBritain/Rod Edwards

Step into a land of castles, world-renowned rugby and a whole host of myths and legends.

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Pushing the boundaries of art and culture and a heart that beats through its people.

VisitBritain/Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

An industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart and a whole host of quirky adventures.

West Midlands Growth Company

Newcastle upon Tyne

Linked by no fewer than seven bridges, it's one vibrant place to visit.

Rich Kenworthy

Newcastle, England

A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find lots to explore in Leeds.

VisitBritain/Thomas Heaton

Packed with lively pubs, an eclectic food scene and a myriad of immersive experiences.

Tourism Northern Ireland

Discover annual events

James Bridle

Celebrate in Britain

Find out what’s happening across the nations with our round-up of annual events.

Planning a trip? We're here to help

Your trip to england is just around the corner.

Discover the land of Big Ben, Banksy and bangers and mash. From its bustling cities to its blooming beautiful gardens, it doesn’t disappoint.

Discover Great Britain’s northern reaches

Imagine a country where ancient castles guard mysterious lochs and emerald glens, and where the local spirit is as warm as the welcome.

Discover a land of adventure and mythical creatures

Delve into a world of dragons, renowned choirs, championship rugby, and some of the most spellbinding scenery Britain has to offer.

Your trip to Northern Ireland has never looked more magical

Get swept up in a world of ancient myths and modern-day legends, from the Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones to the vibrant buzz of Belfast.

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Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

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Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

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United Kingdom

Travel Advisory July 26, 2023

United kingdom - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in the United Kingdom. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

There is also a risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to the United Kingdom.

If you decide to travel to the United Kingdom:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and Twitter.com/Travelgov
• Review the  Country Security Report  for the United Kingdom.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel and return to the United States.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Must be valid for the duration of your stay in the United Kingdom   (If you have onward travel to countries outside the United Kingdom, you should check the passport validity requirements for each additional country on their respective information pages.)

Must have at least one page

Not required for stays less than six months.

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy london.

33 Nine Elms Lane London, SW11 7US United Kingdom Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(44)(20) 7499-9000 Fax: +(44) (20) 7891-3845 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Edinburgh, Scotland 3 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BW Scotland Telephone: 013-1556-8315 / from the United States: 011 (44)(13) 1556-8315 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  020-7499-9000 / from the United States: 011 (44)(20) 7499-9000 Fax: 0131-557-6023 /from the United States: 011 (44) 131-557-6023 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Belfast, Northern Ireland Danesfort House, 223 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5GR Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Telephone: 028-9038-6100 / from the United States: 011 (44)(28) 9038-6100 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 01253-501106 / from the United States: 011 (44) 1253-501106 Fax: 028-9068-1301 / from the United States: 011 (44)(28) 9068-1301 Email: [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

• To enter the United Kingdom, your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay.
• Starting June 2019, U.S. passport holders will be able to use the ePassport Gates upon arrival in the United Kingdom. U.S. citizens who had previously registered for the UK’s Registered Traveller Service (RTS) should now also use the ePassport Gates on arrival in the UK.
• If you are planning onward travel after departing the UK, note that many other countries require at least six months’ remaining validity on your passport to enter. If you are bound for Continental Europe, please see our  U.S. travelers in Europe page for additional details.
• Visas for specific categories of visitors must be obtained prior to travel. Visit the  UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website to determine if you need a visa to enter the United Kingdom. We cannot intervene on your behalf when you apply for a UK visa, nor can we advocate for your admission into the UK if you are denied entry.
• Students and prospective students should visit the  UKVI website  to determine if they need a visa.
• For some U.S. travelers, especially students, an entry stamp is required.  Please consult this website  for more information.
• Unpaid and paid workers, interns, volunteers, charity workers, and temporary workers can find information about obtaining a visa on the  UKVI website .
• Visitors traveling to the United Kingdom to get married, even if they do not plan to reside there, must obtain a visa in advance. See the  UKVI website  for visa information.
• Surcharges apply to certain categories of visas, generally those involving work, study, or residency for more than six months. More information is available on the  UKVI website  and in our Health section below.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the United Kingdom.

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorist groups continue plotting possible near-term attacks in Europe. The UK Security Service publishes specific reasons for any changes in the threat level and recommended actions for the public via its  UK threat levels website .

There is the potential for  isolated violence  related to the political situation in Northern Ireland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland assesses there is a continued threat of violence from dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets, and may involve the use of  firearms  and  explosives . Tensions may be heightened during the summer marching season (April to August), particularly on and around the July 12 public holiday.

Avoid areas of demonstrations  if possible, and be careful within the vicinity of demonstrations. Demonstrations occur frequently in and around city centers and areas where tourists frequent. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate to violence.

The phone number for  police/fire/ambulance emergency services  is  999  in the United Kingdom and  112  in Gibraltar. You should also use these numbers to report security threats or suspicious packages. Also see information for  contacting police from abroad .

• Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Be vigilant, as  pickpocketing ,  mugging,  and “snatch and grab” theft of mobile phones, watches and jewelry can occur.
• Do not leave bags unattended in restaurants, pubs, hotel lobbies, and parked cars.
• Be alert to other criminal schemes, such as  impostors  posing as undercover police officers and “fining” tourists for bogus minor offenses. A legitimate Metropolitan Police Services officer will never demand an immediate cash payment.
• Use only licensed Black Cabs or pre-ordered car services (minicabs) . Unlicensed taxis or private cars posing as taxis may offer low fares, but in some instances, travelers have been  robbed  or  sexually assaulted  while using these cars. See Transport for London for additional information on cabs and car services .
• Avoid using ATMs that look temporary in structure or location  or are located in isolated areas – they may not be legitimate. Use ATMs located inside a bank branch.

Scams : Before sending any money to individuals you have never met in person, visit the  Embassy London website  for more information about  internet financial scams  and how to protect yourself.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime : Report crimes to the local police at 999 (United Kingdom) or 112 (Gibraltar) and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(44) (20) 7499-9000.

• Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on  victim compensation programs in the United States
• The Victim Support website  is maintained by an independent UK charity to help people cope with the effects of crime
• A Northern Ireland-based independent charity maintains a similar  victim support website
• In Scotland, victims of crime should contact  Victim Support Scotland
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support if you are destitute
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

• You will be arrested if you bring pocket knives, blades, mace or pepper spray canisters, or any part of a gun into the United Kingdom . Please refer to the UK government publication  Travelling to the UK , which details the items visitors are prohibited from bringing into the United Kingdom.
• Penalties against  alcohol-related  and other  in-flight  crimes committed aboard aircraft to and from the United Kingdom are stiff and are enforced with  prison sentences . Please also see  our information on U.S. customs regulations  covering your return to the United States.
• Controlled Substances: UK law prohibits possession and trafficking of controlled substances and narcotics, including some substances that may be legal to possess under the law of certain U.S. states. More information on controlled substances is available here . Individuals who violate UK drug laws may face penalties including fines or prison sentences.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained in the United Kingdom, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Special Circumstances:

• The legal drinking age in the United Kingdom is 18. Parents and organizers of school trips should read our  Students Abroad website  to help plan a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Scotland’s “drink drive limit” law was amended to a lower level (roughly .05 BAC) and is stricter than the rest of the United Kingdom (roughly .08 BAC). This means that  driving after even one drink  can result in a charge of driving under the influence.
• The United Kingdom has very strict gun control laws, and importing firearms is extremely complicated.  Information on applying for a firearm and/or shotgun certificate can be found on the  London Metropolitan Police Firearms licensing webpage .  Licenses from England or Wales may not be valid in Scotland; please check with the appropriate authorities.  For firearms certificates for Scotland, please check with  Police Scotland .

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in the United Kingdom.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:

• UK law requires that all public service providers (except in the transportation sector) make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure their services are available to persons with disabilities.  Nevertheless, code exemptions permit many older buildings to have steps up from the street.
• Getting around in cities may be difficult at times because sidewalks can be narrow and uneven.
• Most London Underground and UK National Rail System stations are not readily accessible for people with disabilities.  Many stations do not have elevators, and have stairways and long corridors for changing trains or exiting to the street. Many UK buses are equipped with lowering platforms for limited-mobility or sight- or hearing-disabled travelers.
• Many taxis have swivel-entry seats or retractable ramps to ease entry.
• Disabled parking permits (known as “blue badges”) are issued by local government councils throughout the country. Visit the  UK government website  for contact information. Some councils may not offer permits to temporary visitors.

The  Transport for London  and  National Rail  websites provide information for passengers with disabilities.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  women travelers .

While medical services are widely available,  free medical care  under the National Health System (NHS) is allowed only for UK residents, certain EU nationals, and some visa holders.

An NHS surcharge is assessed on certain visa applicants at the time of application.  Tourists and short-term visitors will not be assessed the surcharge, but will be charged 150 percent of the cost of any medical treatment they receive from the NHS. Unpaid balances of £1,000 or more can result in being barred from return to the United Kingdom.

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills, and U.S. Medicare is not valid overseas.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides  coverage overseas . Most care providers overseas only accept  cash payments . See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas.

• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Carry  prescription medication  in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Traveling with sufficient supplies to last the duration of your trip is recommended. Mailing prescriptions is prohibitive and may be delayed or rejected by British customs.

Certain prescriptions available in the United States are classified as a "controlled drug"  in the United Kingdom and cannot be brought into the country without applying for and obtaining a prior license. This includes prescriptions for medical marijuana or products containing CBD and THC.  Please visit the https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs for additional information. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended for international travel by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions in the United Kingdom can differ significantly from those in the United States.

• In contrast to the United States, UK traffic drives on the left.  Read the  Highway Code  before driving.
• Emergency call boxes  (orange telephone booths with “SOS” printed on them) are found at half-mile intervals along motorways. White and blue poles point in the direction of the nearest call box. Call boxes dial directly to a motorway center. Use these phones rather than a personal cell phone, because motorway center personnel will immediately know your exact location.
• Generally,  pedestrians do not have the right of way  and should not expect vehicles to stop for them.

Many U.S. citizen pedestrians are injured, some fatally, every year in the United Kingdom, because they forget that oncoming  traffic approaches from the opposite direction  than in the United States.  Exercise extra care when crossing streets; remain alert and look both ways before stepping into the street.

Traffic Laws: 

• UK penalties for driving under the influence of  alcohol  or  drugs  are strict and often  result in prison sentences .
• Using a  hand-held cell phone  or similar device while driving is  illegal  in the United Kingdom. Only hands-free phones may be used. You will be  fined , or in the case of an accident,  arrested  and serve time in  prison .
• The speed limit on highways/motorways in the United Kingdom is 70 mph, or lower when posted.
• You will be  detained  and  arrested  if you cannot provide a UK address to receive a subpoena or are about to depart the United Kingdom and have to be brought to court quickly for a motoring offense.
• In Central London, a congestion charge is levied on all drivers who pass through the congestion zone. You will be  fined  or  arrested  if you do not pay the charge. See  Transport for London  for more information about driving in London.

Public Transportation:  Public transport in the United Kingdom is extensive.

• Information on disruptions to London transportation services can be found on the  Transport for London  website.
• Information about the status of National Rail Services can be found on the  National Rail Enquiries  website.
• Bus and train service information in Northern Ireland can be found on the  Translink  website.
• Bus and train service information in Scotland can be found on the  Traveline Scotland  website.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. For specific information concerning UK driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, refer to the  UK Department for Transport  website or the  Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency  website.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of United Kingdom’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to the United Kingdom should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at  www.marad.dot.gov/msci . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings website (select “broadcast warnings”).

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in the United Kingdom . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

Travel Advisory Levels

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Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

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Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

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Travel and tourism in the United Kingdom - statistics & facts

How many tourists visit the uk, travel planning and behavior of british tourists, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in the UK 2019-2022

Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in the UK 2019-2022, by type

Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in the UK 2019-2022

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Inbound tourist visits to the UK 2002-2023

Destinations

Leading UK cities for international tourism 2019-2022, by visits

Leading outbound travel destinations from the UK 2019-2022

Related topics

Recommended.

• Hotel industry in the UK
• Travel agencies in the United Kingdom (UK)
• Travel and tourism in Europe
• Vacation travel behavior in the United Kingdom (UK)
• Package holidays in the United Kingdom (UK)

Recommended statistics

• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in the UK 2019-2022
• Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in the UK 2019-2022, by type
• Basic Statistic Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in the UK 2019-2022, by tourist type
• Basic Statistic Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in the UK 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Median full-time salary in tourism and hospitality industries in the UK 2023
• Premium Statistic CPI inflation rate of travel and tourism services in the UK 2023

Travel and tourism's total contribution to GDP in the UK 2019-2022

Total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2022 (in billion GBP)

Distribution of travel and tourism spending in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2022, by type

Distribution of travel and tourism expenditure in the UK 2019-2022, by tourist type

Distribution of travel and tourism spending in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2022, by type of tourist

Travel and tourism's total contribution to employment in the UK 2019-2022

Total contribution of travel and tourism to employment in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2022 (in million jobs)

Median full-time salary in tourism and hospitality industries in the UK 2023

Median annual gross salary for full-time workers in tourism and hospitality industries in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by industry (in GBP)

CPI inflation rate of travel and tourism services in the UK 2023

Consumer price index (CPI) inflation rate of travel and tourism services in the United Kingdom (UK) from May to December 2023

Inbound tourism

• Basic Statistic Inbound tourist visits to the UK 2002-2023
• Premium Statistic Inbound tourist visits to the UK 2019-2022, by purpose of trip
• Basic Statistic Leading inbound travel markets in the UK 2019-2022, by number of visits
• Premium Statistic Leading inbound travel markets in the UK 2023, by growth in travel demand on Google
• Premium Statistic Number of overnight stays by inbound tourists in the UK 2004-2022
• Premium Statistic International tourist spending in the UK 2004-2023
• Premium Statistic Leading inbound travel markets for the UK 2019-2022, by spending
• Premium Statistic Leading UK cities for international tourism 2019-2022, by visits

Number of overseas resident visits to the United Kingdom (UK) from 2002 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 (in millions)

Inbound tourist visits to the UK 2019-2022, by purpose of trip

Number of overseas resident visits to the United Kingdom (UK) from 2019 to 2022, by purpose of trip (in millions)

Leading inbound travel markets in the UK 2019-2022, by number of visits

Leading inbound travel markets for the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2022, by number of visits (in 1,000s)

Leading inbound travel markets in the UK 2023, by growth in travel demand on Google

Leading inbound travel markets in the United Kingdom (UK) over the previous 30 and 90 days as of June 2023, ranked by growth in travel demand on Google

Number of overnight stays by inbound tourists in the UK 2004-2022

Number of nights spent by overseas residents in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to 2022 (in millions)

International tourist spending in the UK 2004-2023

Spending of international visitors to the United Kingdom (UK) from 2004 to 2022, with a forecast for 2023 (in billion GBP)

Leading inbound travel markets for the UK 2019-2022, by spending

Leading inbound travel markets for the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2022, by spending (in million GBP)

Cities and towns in the United Kingdom (UK) ranked by international visits in 2019 and 2022 (in 1,000 visits)

Outbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Number of outbound tourist visits from the UK 2007-2022
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism visits from the UK 2019-2022, by purpose
• Premium Statistic Leading outbound travel destinations from the UK 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Leading outbound travel markets in the UK 2023, by growth in travel demand on Google
• Premium Statistic Number of outbound overnight stays by UK residents 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Outbound tourism expenditure in the UK 2007-2022

Number of outbound tourist visits from the UK 2007-2022

Total number of visits abroad from the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2022 (in millions)

Outbound tourism visits from the UK 2019-2022, by purpose

Number of visits abroad from the United Kingdom (UK) from 2019 to 2022, by purpose (in millions)

Leading countries visited by residents of the United Kingdom (UK) in 2019 and 2022 (in 1,000 visits)

Leading outbound travel markets in the UK 2023, by growth in travel demand on Google

Leading outbound travel markets in the United Kingdom (UK) over the previous 30 and 90 days as of June 2023, ranked by growth in travel demand on Google

Number of outbound overnight stays by UK residents 2011-2022

Number of overnight stays abroad by residents of the United Kingdom (UK) from 2011 to 2022 (in 1,000s)

Outbound tourism expenditure in the UK 2007-2022

Total expenditure on visits abroad from the United Kingdom (UK) from 2007 to 2022 (in million GBP)

Domestic tourism

• Premium Statistic Domestic overnight trips in Great Britain 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Domestic tourism trips in Great Britain 2018-2022, by purpose
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic overnight trips in Great Britain 2022, by destination type
• Premium Statistic Number of tourism day visits in Great Britain 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Total domestic travel expenditure in Great Britain 2019-2022
• Premium Statistic Domestic overnight tourism spending in Great Britain 2010-2022
• Premium Statistic Expenditure on domestic day trips in Great Britain 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Average spend on domestic summer holidays in the United Kingdom (UK) 2011-2023

Domestic overnight trips in Great Britain 2010-2022

Number of domestic overnight trips in Great Britain from 2010 to 2022 (in millions)

Domestic tourism trips in Great Britain 2018-2022, by purpose

Number of domestic overnight trips in Great Britain from 2018 to 2022, by purpose (in millions)

Number of domestic overnight trips in Great Britain 2022, by destination type

Number of domestic overnight trips in Great Britain in 2022, by destination type (in millions)

Number of tourism day visits in Great Britain 2011-2022

Number of tourism day visits in Great Britain from 2011 to 2022 (in billions)

Total domestic travel expenditure in Great Britain 2019-2022

Total domestic tourism spending in Great Britain from 2019 to 2022 (in billion GBP)

Domestic overnight tourism spending in Great Britain 2010-2022

Annual domestic overnight tourism spending in Great Britain from 2010 to 2022 (in billion GBP)

Expenditure on domestic day trips in Great Britain 2011-2022

Annual expenditure on domestic tourism day visits in Great Britain from 2011 to 2022 (in billion GBP)

Average spend on domestic summer holidays in the United Kingdom (UK) 2011-2023

Average spend on 'staycation' summer holidays according to Britons in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2011 to 2023 (in GBP)

Accommodation

• Premium Statistic Number of accommodation businesses in the United Kingdom (UK) 2008-2021
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• Premium Statistic Turnover of accommodation businesses in the United Kingdom (UK) 2008-2021
• Premium Statistic Turnover of accommodation services in the United Kingdom (UK) 2015-2021, by sector
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Number of accommodation businesses in the United Kingdom (UK) 2008-2021

Number of enterprises in the accommodation industry in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2008 to 2021

Number of accommodation enterprises in the United Kingdom (UK) 2018-2021, by type

Number of enterprises in the accommodation industry in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2018 to 2021, by sector

Turnover of accommodation businesses in the United Kingdom (UK) 2008-2021

Turnover of accommodation businesses in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2008 to 2021 (in million GBP)

Turnover of accommodation services in the United Kingdom (UK) 2015-2021, by sector

Turnover of accommodation services in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2015 to 2021, by type (in million GBP)

Number of hotel businesses in the United Kingdom (UK) 2008-2021

Number of hotel and similar accommodation businesses in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2008 to 2021

Most popular hotel brands in the UK Q3 2023

Most popular hotel brands in the United Kingdom (UK) in 3rd quarter of 2023

Consumer expenditure on accommodation in the UK 2005-2022

Consumer spending on accommodation in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2005 to 2022 (in million GBP)

Travel behavior

• Premium Statistic Attitudes towards traveling in the UK 2023
• Premium Statistic Travel frequency for private purposes in the UK 2023
• Premium Statistic Travel frequency for business purposes in the UK 2023
• Premium Statistic Share of Britons taking days of holiday 2019-2023, by number of days
• Premium Statistic Share of Britons who did not take any holiday days 2019-2023, by gender
• Premium Statistic Share of Britons who did not take any holiday days 2019-2023, by age
• Premium Statistic Leading regions for summer staycations in the UK 2023
• Premium Statistic Preferred methods to book the next overseas holiday in the UK October 2022, by age
• Premium Statistic Travel product bookings in the UK 2023
• Premium Statistic Travel product online bookings in the UK 2023

Attitudes towards traveling in the UK 2023

Attitudes towards traveling in the UK as of December 2023

Travel frequency for private purposes in the UK 2023

Travel frequency for private purposes in the UK as of December 2023

Travel frequency for business purposes in the UK 2023

Travel frequency for business purposes in the UK as of December 2023

Share of Britons taking days of holiday 2019-2023, by number of days

Share of individuals taking days of holiday in the United Kingdom from July 2019 to May 2023, by number of days

Share of Britons who did not take any holiday days 2019-2023, by gender

Share of individuals who did not take any days of holiday in the United Kingdom from July 2019 to November 2023, by gender

Share of Britons who did not take any holiday days 2019-2023, by age

Share of individuals who did not take any days of holidays in the United Kingdom (UK) from July 2019 to November 2023, by age

Leading regions for summer staycations in the UK 2023

Leading regions for travelers' next summer staycation in the United Kingdom as of May 2023

Preferred methods to book the next overseas holiday in the UK October 2022, by age

Preferred methods to book the next overseas holiday among individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) as of October 2022, by age group

Travel product bookings in the UK 2023

Travel product bookings in the UK as of December 2023

Travel product online bookings in the UK 2023

Travel product online bookings in the UK as of December 2023

• Premium Statistic Travel & Tourism market revenue in the United Kingdom 2018-2028, by segment
• Premium Statistic Travel & Tourism market revenue growth in the UK 2019-2028, by segment
• Premium Statistic Revenue forecast in selected countries in the Travel & Tourism market in 2024
• Premium Statistic Number of users of package holidays in the UK 2018-2028
• Premium Statistic Number of users of hotels in the UK 2018-2028
• Premium Statistic Number of users of vacation rentals in the UK 2018-2028

Travel & Tourism market revenue in the United Kingdom 2018-2028, by segment

Revenue of the Travel & Tourism market in the United Kingdom from 2018 to 2028, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars)

Travel & Tourism market revenue growth in the UK 2019-2028, by segment

Revenue growth of the travel and tourism market in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2019 to 2028, by segment

Revenue forecast in selected countries in the Travel & Tourism market in 2024

Revenue forecast in selected countries in the Travel & Tourism market in 2024 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of users of package holidays in the UK 2018-2028

Number of users of package holidays in the United Kingdom from 2018 to 2028 (in millions)

Number of users of hotels in the UK 2018-2028

Number of users of hotels in the United Kingdom from 2018 to 2028 (in millions)

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Number of users of vacation rentals in the United Kingdom from 2018 to 2028 (in millions)

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Tourism sector deal, section one.

The Tourism Sector Deal established a framework for how the UK Government and tourism industry can work in partnership. This partnership works to boost productivity, develop the skills of the workforce and support destinations to enhance their visitor offering.

Announced in June 2019, the plan was heralded a ‘game changer’ for tourism, moving the sector to the top table as a leading concern for the UK Government’s future economic planning.

The deal took more than two years of hard work, commitment and determination from the tourism industry. Stakeholders from across the sector joined forces to develop ideas in line with the five key pillars of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy: People , Ideas , Infrastructure , Places and Business Environment .

The Tourism Sector Deal was replaced by the Tourism Recovery Plan  published in 2021, which set out the Government’s framework for post-pandemic tourism industry recovery. Read more on the Recovery Plan .

Deal highlights

Highlights of the deal included the creation of an additional 10,000 tourism and hospitality apprenticeships, a commitment to building an additional 130,000 hotel rooms in response to increasing demand and ambitions for the UK to become Europe’s most accessible destination for disabled visitors.

Tourism Sector Deal: key goals and commitments

Ensure good jobs and greater earning power for all; create an additional 10,000 apprenticeships starts per year; invest £1 million in recruitment and retention.

80% of workforce to receive in-work training; develop two new T-Levels; create 10,000 employee mentorships per year.

Create a Tourism Data Hub for a greater understanding of visitor preferences; encourage the UK to be the world's most innovative economy.

Infrastructure

Drive a major upgrade in the UK's infrastructure; develop an additional 130,000 bedrooms by 2025 (75% outside London); make the UK the most accessible tourism destination in Europe by 2025; increase the number of international disabled visitors by a third.

Support place-based solutions; boost productivity across the UK with five Tourism Zones which will receive government support for growing their local visitor economy.

Business environment

Guarantee the best place to start and grow a business; £250,000 to improve broadband connectivity in conferences centres across the UK; make the UK the leading destination for business events in Europe.

Read the full Tourism Sector Deal

Download the full original version of the Tourism Sector Deal from Gov.uk , for a comprehensive overview of its ambitions and commitments.

This sector deal is a game-changer for tourism, one of the UK’s most valuable export industries, spelling a step-change in how we underpin the success of tourism for a generation, moving it to the top table as a leading industry for the UK Government’s future economic planning.

Why is the Tourism Sector Deal important?

The Tourism Sector Deal (PDF, 9.57 MB)  was part of the UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, a key part of its vision for the economy post-Brexit. It focuses on various areas, such as improving productivity, boosting innovation and supporting businesses long-term.

Sector Deals were developed under Theresa May’s premiership as partnerships between Government and industries to aid in the delivery of the Industrial Strategy. Such deals focused on sector-specific issues that could create opportunities to boost productivity, employment, innovation and skills. Sector Deals focused on areas government identified as most promising, and unified plans with industry representatives to help these sectors flourish.

For tourism, a Sector Deal puts the sector at the top of the agenda alongside automotive, digital and nuclear sciences – giving the industry a clear and direct line across government.

The journey to the Tourism Sector Deal

The Tourism Sector Deal represents more than two years of hard work and commitment from the tourism industry. This is the journey we took to reach the deal:

In January 2017 , the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published an Industrial Strategy green paper. At the Tourism Industry Council in February 2017 , a group was set up to collaborate between the government and the tourism industry, and an agreement was reached that the tourism sector would push for a Tourism Sector Deal. The bid was led by Steve Ridgway CBE, former CEO of Virgin Atlantic, BTA Chair at the time and current hotel owner, an industry leader and expert – and facilitated by VisitBritain and VisitEngland, who helped the industry to pull together its proposals.

The government stipulated that those sectors with the broadest reach, and ability to speak with ‘one voice’ were the likeliest to achieve a sector deal. We reached out to the 200,000+ small businesses in all the sectors that make up our tourism industry, and more than 450 businesses and organisations fed into the consultation process.

In September 2017 , the Tourism Industry Council signed off the following priorities:

• A 10-year tourism and hospitality skills campaign to boost recruitment, skills and long-term careers providing the industry with the workforce it needs.
• Boosting productivity by extending the tourism season year-round and increasing global market share in the business visits and events sector.
• Improve connections to increase inbound visits from more markets by 2030, by making it easier for overseas and domestic visitors to not only travel to the UK but to explore more of it.
• Creating ‘tourism zones’ to build quality tourism products that meet visitors’ needs and expectations, extending the tourism season and fixing localised transport issues to improve the visitor experience.

In October 2017 , VisitBritain/VisitEngland put forward the formalised submission document (PDF, 14.5 KB) .

In November 2018 , the government announced it would be entering into an official negotiation with the tourism industry for a Tourism Sector Deal, to attract more domestic and overseas visitors and help drive major economic growth.

Recognising the tourism industry as one of the UK’s most successful exports, the then Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (formerly the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport), Jeremy Wright, called on the industry to respond with a renewed commitment to promote its offering throughout the year, and increase clear career paths.

The sector was asked to look at the key themes of:

• Making tourism and hospitality a career for life
• Making the UK the most accessible tourism industry in the world
• Sharing data to identify growth opportunities in new and emerging markets
• Increasing accommodation capacity

The Tourism Sector Deal was announced by then Prime Minister Theresa May on 27 June 2019 . Read the full announcement here.

Devolved nations

The British Tourist Authority is the national tourist agency, responsible for marketing Britain worldwide and developing Britain’s visitor economy. In the UK, tourism is devolved with England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland each having their own national tourist boards. As part of the Tourism Sector Deal, the UK government committed to consulting and collaborating with the devolved governments on tourism-related initiatives and projects.

There were also policies outlined in the Tourism Sector Deal which are not devolved, most notably visas and immigration.

Discover more about the Tourism Sector Deal

The announcement by the prime minister.

Read the unveiling speech made by former Prime Minister Theresa May in 2019.

Government guide to the Tourism Sector Deal

Read or download the official government document setting out the Tourism Sector Deal.

Tourism Sector Deal key facts brochure

Download our guide to the headline statistics, ideas and ambitions of the Tourism Sector Deal.

Submission letter to the Minister of Tourism

Read the cover letter by Steve Ridgway CBE, which accompanied the Tourism Sector Deal bid.

Industrial Strategy Tourism Sector Deal bid

Read the original bid for the Tourism Sector Deal, submitted in October 2017.

Tourism Sector Deal highlights infographic

Download our eye-catching infographic detailing the key commitments.

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Sunak rejects offer of youth mobility scheme between EU and UK

Labour also turns down European Commission’s proposal, which would have allowed young Britons to live, study and work in EU

Rishi Sunak has rejected an EU offer to strike a post-Brexit deal to allow young Britons to live, study or work in the bloc for up to four years.

The prime minister declined the European Commission’s surprise proposal of a youth mobility scheme for people aged between 18 and 30 on Friday, after Labour knocked back the suggestion on Thursday night, while noting that it would “seek to improve the UK’s working relationship with the EU within our red lines”.

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen , suggested the scheme, which would also have allowed young people from within the EU to stay in the UK to work or study for the same period of time, would have been an area in which there could be “closer collaboration”.

“The topic of youth mobility is in both our interests, because the more we have youth mobility being on both sides of the Channel, the more we increase the probability we will be on good terms because the next generation knows each other very well,” she said on Thursday.

But the UK government indicated on Friday that Brexit had ended free movement and it had no desire to reopen that conversation, even with strict conditions on length of stay.

“We are not introducing an EU-wide youth mobility scheme – free movement within the EU was ended and there are no plans to introduce it,” a government spokesperson said.

However, they did note that the government would be happy to do deals with individual member states. It is known that the UK is keen to strike an arrangement with France.

One source said the UK wanted to “cherry-pick” which countries it wanted such programmes with.

The youth mobility scheme would not be a return to freedom of movement and would, if agreed, require a YMS visa, evidence of sufficient funds to sustain a living and health insurance.

The Conservatives have been urged to rethink their rejection of the offer because it could help boost the economy.

Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “Expanding our existing youth mobility visas to cover European countries on a reciprocal basis would be a win-win.

“It would be a much needed boost to our economy, especially hospitality and tourism; it would offer great new opportunities to young British people to work abroad; and it would be a crucial step towards fixing our broken relationship with Europe.

“Of course, the details would need to be negotiated, but no UK government should reject this idea out of hand.”

Some Labour MPs believe the scheme could have helped Labour reach its plan to decarbonise UK power by 2030.

A senior Labour MP likened the scheme to a “sugar-rush, fast-fix” solution that would be helpful to an incoming Labour government but would be hard to wean off. They said: “Even though Labour has reduced its green objectives, it still wants to decarbonise the grid. There will be a time lag between training, recruitment and reskilling workers that would require an army of engineers for example to do that, and we’re currently far behind.

“To hit the ground running, this scheme offers us the opportunity to do that, but we would have to continue to fix labour market shortages.”

A Labour spokesperson said: “This is a proposal from the EU Commission to EU member states, not to the UK. It has come about because the UK government is reportedly approaching other European countries to try to establish mobility arrangements.

“Labour has no plans for a youth mobility scheme. We have already suggested some tangible ways that we would look to improve the relationship and deliver for British businesses and consumers, including seeking a veterinary agreement to tackle trade barriers, mutual recognition of professional qualifications and improved touring opportunities for artists.”

Anand Menon, a professor of European politics and foreign affairs at King’s College London and director of UK in a Changing Europe, said: “Clearly there is a debate to be had about the costs and the benefits of a youth mobility scheme, but I find it utterly depressing that both of the major political parties, one of which will form a government after the next election, do not know the difference between free movement and a limited youth mobility scheme which involves visas.”

He said he suspected the surprise emergence of a youth mobility scheme was a move to head off cherry-picking in the EU in the face of a surge of far-right parties, some of which are Eurosceptics.

“They are scared that member states will do bilateral deals, which becomes more of a threat the better the Eurosceptic parties do in the elections,” Menon said.

“For instance, Geert Wilders [the Dutch populist politician] would be more likely to do a bilateral deal with Britain if it involves annoying Brussels, and then the danger is you end up with governments in the EU negotiating unilaterally with the Brits because it is in their own interests.”

• European Union
• European Commission
• Ursula von der Leyen
• Young people
• Conservatives

More on this story

‘Confined to this little island’: Britons criticise rejection of EU youth mobility deal

Brexit plans in ‘complete disarray’ as EU import checks delayed, say businesses

UK to delay start of health and safety checks on EU imports – report

Brussels proposes return to pre-Brexit mobility for UK and EU young people

Drug shortages, now normal in UK, made worse by Brexit, report warns

Labour aiming to draw closer to Europe on foreign and security issues

Garden centres in UK stockpile plants before new Brexit checks

Even Europe’s far-right firebrands seem to sense Brexit is a disaster

‘It’s catastrophic’: Italian restaurants in London struggle to find staff post-Brexit

New Brexit checks will cause food shortages in UK, importers warn

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May train strikes: How will the next rail drivers’ walk-out affect passengers?

In three days of ‘rolling’ walk-outs, most of the train operators involved will cancel all services, article bookmarked.

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National rail strikes by train drivers will enter a third summer with a series of “rolling” walk-outs, one region at a time, during May .

Members of the Aslef union aim to halt thousands of trains on 7, 8 and 9 May 2024 – with commuters who normally go to the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday among the targets.

The aim is to disrupt services on the 14 rail firms in England that are controlled by the UK government and represented by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG). Rolling strikes cause maximum disruption for minimum loss of pay.

In addition, six days of overtime bans will cause further cancellations from 6 to 11 May. The first day is the early May bank holiday, while the last coincides with Take That performing in Manchester .

The previous national industrial action by train drivers, comprising an overtime ban and rolling regional walk-outs, hit passengers in April .

Industrial action by Aslef train drivers in their dispute over pay and working arrangements began in July 2022. The union is demanding a no-strings pay award, but rail firms – directed by ministers – say any increase is contingent on radical reforms to working practices in order to reduce public subsidies.

During the dispute, hundreds of millions of journeys have been cancelled. Billions of pounds have been lost to the UK economy – particularly hospitality businesses.

Taxpayers are pumping cash into an increasingly decrepit and unreliable railway to the tune of £90 per second on top of the normal subsidy. Over the course of a year, that amounts to £2.8bn in addtional public cash.

The quarrel has become increasingly bitter, with no sign of any progress towards a settlement.

Caught in the middle of a seemingly intractable dispute: the passenger. In a snap social media poll for The Independent that garnered 2,142 responses, one in three passengers say they will permanently travel less after the industrial action finally ends.

For passengers, these are the key questions and answers.

Which rail firms are involved?

Aslef is in dispute with the 14 train operating companies (TOCs) that are contracted by the UK government to provide rail services. They are:

Intercity operators:

CrossCountry

East Midlands Railway

Great Western Railway (GWR)

TransPennine Express

Southeast England commuter operators:

Greater Anglia

GTR (Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink)

Southeastern

South Western Railway (including the Island Line on the Isle of Wight)

Operators focusing on the north of England, the Midlands and links from London

Chiltern Railways

Northern Trains

West Midlands Railway (including London Northwestern Railway)

When are the train drivers walking out?

Drivers belonging to the Aslef union will strike in the following pattern:

Tuesday 7 May

C2C, Greater Anglia, Great Northern, Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern, Gatwick Express, South Western Railway. Commuters around London comprise the main target.

Wednesday 8 May

Avanti West Coast , Chiltern, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry. The aim is to cause maximum disruption on key intercity lines as well as Midland commuter services.

Thursday 9 May

LNER , Northern and TransPennine Express. This is aimed at users of the East Coast main line and passengers in the North of England and southern Scotland.

What are the predicted effects at each operator?

The Night Riviera sleeper train from London to Penzance and the Gatwick Express from London to the Sussex airport will be cancelled throughout the industrial action period.

For other operators, these are the probable service patterns – though travellers should check shortly before their planned journeys. Where trains are running, the normal hours of operation are likely to be curtailed.

Disruption is also likely on days before and after strike days. TransPennine Express says: “Plan carefully for any rail journeys as services may start later and finish earlier than usual.”

Greater Anglia will run to and from London Liverpool Street to Stansted airport, Southend, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich.

Southern will run a shuttle service between London Victoria and Gatwick airport.

Thameslink will run a shuttle service between London St Pancras and Luton (town and airport stations).

Great Northern will run a shuttle service between London King’s Cross and Cambridge.

South Western Railway will run between London Waterloo, Woking and Guildford, with some other suburban services likely.

Southeastern will passengers not to travel, but is likely to run services between London St Pancras and Ashford on the high-speed line; Charing Cross and Orpington; and London Bridge and Dartford.

C2C will cancel all services.

Five train operators – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry – are likely to cancel all train services.

GWR will run no long-distance trains, but will connect Reading with Oxford and Basingstoke, as well as a link from Bristol to Cardiff and some branch routes in Devon and Cornwall. The company says: “Many parts of the GWR network will have no service at all and trains that are running will only be operating for a limited period during the day.”

Northern and TransPennine Express will cancel all services. LNER will run a skeleton service on core lines between around 7am and 7pm. Its main Edinburgh-Newcastle-York-London line will have at least one train an hour, with some additional trains on the southern part of the network.

What about the overtime ban?

Members are also refusing to work their rest days from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 May, inclusive. As many rail firms depend on drivers working overtime, hundreds – possibly thousands – of trains will be cancelled.

Greater Anglia, Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Railway will run a reduced timetable on each day of the overtime ban.

GWR typically says the overtime ban will cause “some short-notice alterations and cancellations, especially at weekends or late at night”.

But Southeastern says: “We expect to run our full service during this time, except for Tuesday 7 May, which is the strike day on our network.”

Which rail firms are not involved?

Some publicly funded train operators will run normally: ScotRail, Transport for Wales, Transport for London (including the Elizabeth line) and Merseyrail.

“Open-access” operators on the East Coast main line – Grand Central, Hull Trains and Lumo – are unaffected. But many of their services will be crowded on days of industrial action. They duplicate journeys of strike-hit companies, including LNER, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and Northern.

What is at stake in the dispute?

The train drivers demand a pay rise to reflect high levels of inflation since they last won a pay award; Aslef says some members have not had an increase for five years.

But the government insists that even a modest pay increase is contingent on radical changes to long-standing working arrangements in order to reduce costs – and the huge subsidies the railway is currently receiving from the taxpayer.

Since the pandemic, travel patterns have changed. Ticket revenue is about one-fifth down on pre-Covid levels. As taxpayers will foot the eventual bill for the train drivers’ pay rise, the Treasury as well as the Department for Transport will sign off any deal.

Ministers believe train drivers’ terms and conditions are part of the problem. To keep costs down, they must accept changes to how they work, such as making Sunday part of the working week everywhere.

On 27 April 2023 the Rail Delivery Group offered a pay increase of 4 plus 4 per cent over two years covering the 2022 and 2023 pay awards – subject to a host of changes on terms and conditions, covering a wide range of issues including driver training, Sunday working, sick pay and new technology.

The union say this is completely unacceptable. The train drivers will negotiate on changes, but only after they get a decent no-strings pay offer on top of their current pay.

They believe the money will be found to meet their demands, as it always has been in the past. Aslef has also always “sold” reforms to working arrangements for an extra few per cent on their pay and does intend to change that process.

Meanwhile, the corrosion in confidence among travellers continues, with no rail passenger able to plan journeys more than two weeks ahead – that being the minimum notice the union must give for industrial action.

What do the employers and government say?

A spokesperson for Rail Delivery Group said: “This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54m a week just to keep services running.

“We continue to seek a fair agreement with the Aslef leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Aslef’s leadership are acting like a broken record – calling for strike action time and time again while remaining the only rail union continuing to strike, as well as the only union refusing to put a fair and reasonable pay offer to its members for over a year.

“The transport secretary and rail minister have done their part to facilitate this pay offer- one which would take train drivers’ salaries up to an average of £65,000 which is almost twice the average salary in the UK.

“Aslef bosses should take the lead of the other rail unions, put this offer to their members and stop their campaign of contempt for passengers.”

What does the union say?

The general secretary of Aslef, Mick Whelan, said: “It is now a year since we sat in a room with the train companies – and a year since we rejected the risible offer they made and which they admitted, privately, was designed to be rejected.”

He said that negotiations were last held on 26 April 2024.

“Since then train drivers have voted, again and again, to take action to get a pay rise. That’s why Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, is being disingenuous when he says that offer should have been put to members. Drivers would not vote to strike if they thought an offer was acceptable. They don’t. And that offer – now a year old – is dead in the water.

“Our pay deals at these companies ran out in 2019. Train drivers at these TOCs have not had an increase in salary for five years. That is completely wrong. The employers – and the government – think we are going to give up and run away. They’re wrong. In the words of Tom Petty, we won’t back down …”

When will the strikes finally be over?

The working assumption is now that it will take a change of government. No prime minister since Margaret Thatcher has demonstrated such contempt for Britain’s railway as Rishi Sunak. On the eve of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow , he announced the halving of Air Passenger Duty on domestic routes – encouraging travellers to switch from rail to air.

Tearing up years of cross-party agreement, the prime minister scrapped plans for HS2 north of Birmingham and demanded a swift sell-off of protected land to ensure the project could not be resurrected. And Mr Sunak has tolerated 18 months of intermittent strikes by train drivers with no apparent appetite for a settlement.

What does the Labour Party say?

Louise Haigh, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, said: “It is a staggering dereliction of duty that the transport secretary hasn’t got around the table with the unions to try to resolve it since the Christmas before last.

“Labour will take an unashamedly different approach to the Tories, and will work with both sides to reach a deal in the interests of passengers and workers. If the transport secretary took this sensible approach then perhaps we wouldn’t still be having strikes on our railways.”

How much has all the disruption cost?

According to the RDG, industrial action from June 2022 up until mid-January 2024 cost the rail sector around £775m in lost revenue. That does not include the impact of the most recent strikes and overtime bans, which probably add a further £200m to the losses.

UKHospitality estimates the lost business for places to eat, drink and stay amounts to almost £5 billion. Kate Nicholls, the organisation’s chief executive, says: “Ongoing strike action hurts businesses, prevents people from getting to work and significantly erodes confidence in the rail network.”

In addition, there is an unknowable loss of revenue from passengers who have adjusted their lifestyles or found alternative forms of transport; businesses that have stopped making trips and are using online communication instead; and people trimming back on travel because of the lack of certainty.

What about the new minimum service levels law?

Legislation now allows the transport secretary to stipulate minimum service levels (MSLs) on strike days amounting to 40 per cent of the normal service. The government says the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 aims “to ensure that the public can continue to access services that they rely on, during strike action”.

No train operator is seeking to impose the new law on the train drivers’ union. LNER said it might do so earlier this year, and opened consultations. Aslef immediately called a separate five-day strike on LNER alone. Then the train operator said it would not require drivers to work, and the strike was called off.

The Transport Select Committee has previously warned of potential unintended consequences of the legislation. The Conservative chair, Iain Stewart, said: “There is a risk of MSLs worsening worker-employer relations and that, as a result, MSLs could end up making services less reliable.”

The minimum service level rules do not apply to union bans on non-contractual rest-day working – so there would be no benefit in imposing the law when an overtime ban is in force.

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