Millions of train tickets for journeys across the UK are now up for grabs with up to 50% off as a popular nationwide sale is back.
With the UK Government‘s ‘Great British Rail Sale’ having just made its highly-anticipated return this morning, this means that passengers will now have from today (23 January) up until 29 January to claim half-price discounts on a huge range of selected Advance and Off-Peak rail tickets.
Over a million discounted tickets are available in this week-long sale to destinations all across England and Wales, as well as on cross-border trips into Scotland too.
Tickets will be redeemable on journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024.
Millions of train tickets are now up for grabs with 50% off / Credit: gov.uk | National Rail
The price of a ticket from Manchester to Leeds, for example, would usually set you back roughly around £8.60, depending on destination stations, but with the 50% discounts on offer through the ‘Great British Rail Sale’, that very same ticket is now available for just £4.30.
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A ticket from Leicester to Sheffield is usually a standard price of £7.30, but this week, you can book your journey in advance for just £3.60.
The first Government-organised ‘Great British Rail Sale’ took place back in 2022, and apparently saw passengers save around £7 million on rail tickets, as well as having encouraged around 70,000 adults who had not travelled by train since the COVID-19 pandemic to hop on board, according to the Department for Transport.
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Get up to a huge 50% off train tickets in the Great British Rail Sale!*
The Government says it’s decided to bring back the ‘Great British Rail Sale’ to kick off this new year as it’s “committed” to helping families with the cost of living, working with the rail industry to boost tourism, encouraging sustainable travel, and also to connecting friends and families across the UK.
“The return of the Great British Rail Sale is good news for passengers,” Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said as the sale launches today.
“With discounts on more than a million tickets, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to connect with friends and family and explore great destinations across the country, and I hope passengers make the most of this sale and choose to travel by rail.”
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Discounts are part of the returning ‘Great British Rail Sale’ / Credit: Network Rail
Sale tickets have now started to become available online.
If you want to get your hands on them, the Rail Delivery Group has a central webpage to help customers find the best deals here, but tickets can also be found on all ticket retailer websites for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024.
Only a limited number of tickets are available, and no further sale tickets will go on offer once sold out, so you’ll need to act fast.
Featured Image – gov.uk
News
Family pays tribute to ‘much-loved son’ who died after Wigan bus crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who died in a tragic bus crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.
Luke Hill, 28, was involved in a collision between a bus and a motorbike earlier this month, and sadly passed away in hospital the following morning.
The incident occurred on the Wigan Road junction of Alexandra Road, at around 11.54pm on Thursday 6 August – and GMP are still appealing for members of the public to come forward with CCTV, dashcam, or information.
The driver of the bus remained at the scene following the crash, and continues to support police with their investigation.
Paying tribute to Luke, his family described him as a ‘rock and much-loved part of the family’.
His mother said that living without him feels like a ‘terrible nightmare’.
Paying tribute, Luke’s mum, Sharon, has said: “Luke was my son, my rock, and a much-loved part of our family. There are simply no words to describe the pain of losing a son, especially in such a tragic way.
“It still doesn’t feel real. I keep expecting this terrible nightmare to end and for you to be here with us again.
“Luke was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson. He meant so much to so many people, and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
“We miss you more than words could ever say. The pain of losing you is something we will carry with us forever, but so will the love and memories you gave us.
“The whole family is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. We kindly ask that everyone respects our privacy and allows us the time and space we need to grieve.
“You will never be forgotten, Luke.
“We love you and miss you so much.”
Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or anyone who has mobile phone or dash cam footage, to come forward and assist the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact police via 0161 856 4741 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting the log number 4225 of 06/08/2026.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Government issues UK-wide temporary ban on sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk
Emily Sergeant
A temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has been issued nationwide.
Following the UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer, and as many regions declare drought conditions, the Government has made the decision to issue a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk.
A disposable barbecue is defined as a fuel tray or grill grid that includes charcoal fuel ‘sufficient to provide cooking temperature for the duration of a single cooking episode’.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the UK as a ‘tinderbox’ and urged ‘all retailers big and small’ to withdraw the sale of disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires, but following the shocking scenes in Stourbridge which raged overnight, it appears this has been escalated to a formal temporary ban.
The ban applies to all producers and distributors of the product – including retailers that make disposable barbecues available on the British market – and includes online sales too.
A Government statement reads: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the Government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.
“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd January 2024 
