TRYING to fill the long school holidays without spending an absolute fortune can seem impossible.
However, the recently launched Great British Summer Savings scheme is offering loads of deals and discounts until September 1 – meaning family days out will cost a lot less at a whole host of attractions across the UK.
Hundreds of attractions across the UK have discounted entry this summerCredit: AlamyFrom waterparks to theme parks, here are the top offersCredit: Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool / Facebook
The temporary scheme is slashing VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent on family activities, children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone for soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks.
And along with free local bus travel for kids aged between five and 15 this August, you can easily find an affordable day out.
With nearly 2,000 spots across the UK taking part in the scheme, we’ve found some of the best, with the biggest savings.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort
With wooden rollercoasters and dark water rides, there is something for everyone at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, with an All You Can Ride eTicket costing £29 per person, instead of £60 on the gate.
You can also get an ‘Ultimate Ticket’, which includes Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Sandcastle Waterpark, The Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Madame Tussauds for £56.88, down from £65.
Savings: Up to £124 for a family of four
Make the most of the savings at Blackpool Pleasure Beach ResortCredit: Alamy
Zip World (various locations)
Across the eight different Zip World locations, families can now save money including ziplines and underground trampolines.
The biggest savings offered are on Velocity, which is the world’s fastest zip line. Instead of £124, tickets now cost £99 per person.
Savings: Up to£100 for a family of four
Save £25 on the world’s fastest ziplineCredit: Zip World
The Crystal Maze Experience, London or Manchester
Fans of the Crystal Maze TV show should try out the Crystal Maze Experience where you compete in a number of different challenges across an hour.
Tickets now cost £26.50 per person, instead of £39.50 – although you must get a minimum of three tickets per order, with one being a child (over nine).
Savings: Up to £52 for a family of four
Fans of the TV series Crystal Maze should head to the live experienceCredit: � 2024 The Edge, all rights reserved.
Woodlands Adventure Park, Devon
Spread across 100 acres, Woodlands Family Theme Park is home to water coasters, rides, animals and a giant indoor soft play area.
If you book online in advance, tickets will cost just £20 instead of £29.15 per adult, and £15 instead of £21.45 per child.
Savings: Up to £31.20 per family of four
Buy tickets online to save cash for your trip at Woodlands Family Theme ParkCredit: Alamy
Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth
You can capture panoramic views from the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, right to the Isle of Wight.
An all-day adult ticket now costs £12 instead of £19.25, and an all-day child ticket costs £10 instead of £15.50 or a family of four ticket also now costs less – £40 instead of £68.50.
Savings: Up to £28.50 for a family of four
Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower is 170m tall and has panoramic viewsCredit: Getty
Go Ape (various locations)
Want to make the most of the sunshine? Go Ape has 37 sites across the UK, with up to 15 per cent off.
Tickets cost from £36.95 – prices may vary depending on location, and you need to use the code ‘VATSUMMER’.
Savings: Up to £26.96 for a family of four
Get 15 per cent off at Go Ape by entering the code ‘VATSUMMER’Credit: Alamy
Chaos Karts, Manchester
If you want to live out your Mario Kart dreams, then head to Chaos Karts in Manchester.
You can compete in immersive themed races with tickets now costing £21 per person, instead of £27 (though you must get a minimum of three tickets per order, with one being a child).
Savings: Up to £24 for a family of four
Drayton Manor, Staffordshire
Spread across 180 acres, Drayton Manorfeatures four themed lands, including Thomas Land, Vikings, Adventure Cove and Frontier Falls and across these lands visitors can head on rides ideal for smaller children.
Day tickets cost from £39 instead of £45 per person.
Tickets cost £23.50 per adult instead of £29.50, if you use the code ‘SUMMER’. Kids tickets then cost £4.80 each and youth (13 to 15-year-olds) cost £11.20 each.
Savings: Up to £24 for a family of four
Harry Potter Studio Tour, Watford
For Potterheads who haven’t been to the Warner Bros studio tour yet, now is the perfect time with five per cent off tickets.
Instead of £58.50 per adult, you now pay £51.19 and instead of £47 per child, it is now £41.13. The family offer, which used to be £188 per family of four, is now £164.52.
Savings: Up to£23.48 per family of four
Blenheim Palace
There are three different ticket types for Blenheim Palace but if you want the ultimate experience, opt for the palace, park, gardens and adventure play for £44.63 per adult (was £51) and £35.88 per child (was £41).
Alternatively, you could get a family ticket for £144.38, instead of £165.
Savings: Up to £20.62 for a family of four
Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent
Waterworld is the UK’s number one indoor tropical aqua park with more than 30 rides and attractions, including a huge wave pool and the thrilling Thunderbolt trap-door slide.
Tickets now cost £20 per person over 1.1 metres tall, instead of £26 per person. Kids under 1.1 metres tall, cost £18 now instead of £22.
Savings: Up to £20 for a family of four
RockReef, Bournemouth
Found at the end of Bournemouth Pier, you can head to RockReef with 28 Clip ‘n Climb walls suitable for all ages and PierZip – which is the world’s first pier-to-shore zip wire.
A Clip ‘n Climb session now costs £15 per person, instead of £20.
Savings: Up to £20 for a family of four
Coronation Street Experience, Manchester
Corrie fans should use this summer to head to the world of Coronation Street in Manchester, where you can step onto the famous cobbles.
Guided tour tickets cost £35 instead of £40 per person.
Savings: Up to £20 for a family of four
You can enjoy Alton Towers’ 40 rides and attractions for less now, as tickets now cost £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39Credit: Alamy
Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent
You can enjoy Alton Towers‘ 40 rides and attractions for less now, as online tickets now cost £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39 (guests under 90cm still visit for free) when bought online in advance (you’d save £135.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).
You can save even more by getting the ‘twice the fun’ ticket that allows you into two theme parks for £34.13 until the last weekend of July, including Alton Towers, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park.
A day ticket online costs from £34.13, instead of £39 per person (you’d save £127.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).
Savings: Up to £19.48 for a family of four
Legoland, Windsor
Great for little kids and Lego fans alike, online tickets to Legoland now cost from £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39 and guests under 90cm still visit for free (you’d save £135.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).
The park has 11 themed lands, with more than 55 rides as well as live shows.
Saving: Up to £19.48 for a family of four
Thorpe Park, Chertsey
With over 25 rides and attractions including rollercoaster The Smiler, there’s loads to see and do at Thorpe Park, with online tickets instead costing £34.13 for a day pass instead of £39 (you’d save £127.48 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).
With the day pass, kids under 1.2 metres tall go for free still and all day tickets include a free return visit.
Saving: Up to £19.48 for a family of four
All English Heritage properties have discounted entry across the countryCredit: Handout/Craig Hickey
English Heritage properties (various locations)
All English Heritage properties across the country are taking part in the scheme.
This means you can get 12.5 per cent off the ticket price, which is automatically applied at check out.
Savings vary depending on the attraction you are heading to, but for example, if you went to Stonehenge, an adult ticket would cost from £23.65 and a child ticket would cost from £11.82.
This is instead of £27.20 per adult and £17.20 per child.
Saving: Up to £17.86 for a family of four
Paultons Park
Often dubbed the UK’s most affordable theme park, Paultons Park is now even cheaper to visit – and thanks to a new £12million themed world – Valgard: Realm of the Vikings – there could not be a more perfect time to visit.
Tickets were previously £46.75, and now cost from £43.
Savings: Up to £15 for a family of four
Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
History buffs can head to Warwick Castle, which is home to over 1,100 years of history and inside the castle, you will find immersive experiences as well as a bird show.
Online tickets cost £25.38 instead of £29 per person (you’d save £54.44 for a family of four compared to the original on the gate tickets).
Savings: Up to £14.48 for a family of four
You could head to any of the four Gulliver’s World resorts for less this summerCredit: Gullivers World / sidekick
Gulliver’s World (all four locations)
Gulliver’s World has four locations across the UK including Milton Keynes, Matlock Bath, Warrington and Rotherham.
Ticket prices vary per park, but you could get half-day tickets for as little as £13.75 per person. Day tickets cost from £22.50 per person, instead of £26 per person.
Savings: Up to £14 for a family of four
London Eye, London
One of London’s landmarks sat on the banks of the River Thames is suitable for all ages and offers great views of the city.
Tickets now cost £25.38 per adult instead of £29, and £22.75 per child, instead of £26.
Savings: Up to £13.74 for a family of four
If you fancy heading to a waterpark, Quaywest is the UK’s biggest one outdoorsCredit: Alamy
Splashdown Quaywest, Paignton
Fancy cooling off in all this heat? Then you could head to the largest outdoor waterpark in the UK, with 18 slides.
A day ticket used to cost £31 per adult or £26 per child under the age of nine-years-old but now, day tickets cost £27.15 per adult and £22.75 per child.
Savings: Up to £13.50 for a family of four
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool is the biggest indoor waterpark in the UK, with 18 slides and attractions as well as a spa.
Tickets cost from £22.31 instead of £25.50 per adult or child aged eight to 11 and £13.96 instead of £16.50 per child aged three to seven.
You can also get an ‘Ultimate Ticket’, which includes a range of attractions in the seaside resort.
This includes Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Sandcastle Waterpark, The Blackpool Tower Eye, Blackpool Tower Dungeon and Madame Tussauds for £56.88, down from £65.
Savings: Up to £12.76 for a family of four
Madame Tussauds, London
You can spend the day up close to 150 lifelike wax figures of celebs, royals and historical figures at Madame Tussauds in London.
Instead of £27, you’d now pay £23.63 per adult and instead of £24, you’d pay £21 per child.
Savings: Up to £12.74 for a family of four
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh
Located across five floors, you can visit Edinburgh‘s oldest visitor attraction with more than 100 interactive exhibits and the attraction even has panoramic rooftop views.
Adult tickets used to cost £24.95 and are now £21.85 per person, while children’s tickets used to cost £17.95 and are now £15.70 per person.
Savings: Up to £12.70 for a family of four
Perfect for a sunny day, you could head to Kew GardensCredit: Getty
Kew Gardens, London
Sprawled across 326 acres, Kew Gardens features a myriad of different gardens to explore, including indoor gardens and there’s also a giant kids play area.
Tickets cost £21.85 per adult instead of £25, £1.75 per child under 16-years-old and £8.75 for those aged between 16 and 29-years-old.
Savings: Up to £12.60 for a family of four
Rugby Football Union, Twickenham
You could head to the World Rugby Museum in Twickenham, which is home to the world’s most prestigious collection of rugby memorabilia.
Family tickets have been reduced from £80 to £67.50 in the case of two adults and two children.
Savings: Up to £12.50 per family of four
Butlin’s (various locations)
Butlin’s has three resorts in the UK, all of which are taking part in the scheme.
Visitors can get reduced day visits during the school summer holidays, with access to the Splash Waterworld pools, unlimited fairground rides, all live shows on the Skyline Pavillion stage, playgrounds, soft play and paid-for activities.
Day visit tickets now cost £13.60 per child instead of £16 and £20.40 per adult, instead of £24.
Under two’s still go free.
Savings: Up to £12 for a family of four
Butlin’s is doing discounted day visit passesCredit: Free for editorial use
Eden Project, Cornwall
Down in Cornwall, you could head to the Eden Project where you can explore the world’s largest indoor Rainforest.
Adult tickets cost from £31.06 instead of £35.50 and children’s tickets cost from £10.94, instead of £12.50.
Savings: Up to£12 for a family of four
Frameless, London
For something different, you could head to Frameless, which is the UK’s largest permanent immersive art destination with masterpieces including by Van Gogh and Monet.
Flexible adult tickets cost £31.06 instead of £35.50, and flexible child tickets cost £22.75 instead of £26 each. You can also get a family of four ticket for £19.69 per person, instead of £22.50.
Savings: Up to £11.24 for a family of four
Wake the Tiger, Bristol
You could head to an immersive ‘amazement park’ in Bristol, which meshes theatre with art and an immersive experience to make you feel as if you are in a different world.
Adult tickets cost £21.88 instead of £25 each and children’s tickets cost £17.50 instead of £20.
Adult tickets now cost £25 each instead of £28.60 and children’s tickets cost £10 instead of £11.40 each.
Savings: Up to £10 for a family of four
Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire
With over 40 rides, 140 species of animals and even a holiday park, you won’t be short of things to do at Flamingo Land Resort in North Yorkshire.
Tickets now cost £43.50 instead of £46 per person.
Savings: Up to £10 per family of four
Shrek’s Adventure has a 4D flying bus ride and 10 immersive showsCredit: Supplied
Shrek’s Adventure, London
At Shrek’s Adventure in London, you can walk through an immersive experience with a 4D flying bus ride, mirror maze and 10 live shows.
Instead of £21 per adult, tickets cost £18.38 and for kids, tickets cost £14 instead of £16.
Savings: Up to £9.24 for a family of four
Cadbury World, Birmingham
If you are based in the north then you could head to Cadbury World for the day to find out about the history of the iconic chocolate brand – the self-guided tour features exhibits as well as a 4D cinema experience.
Tickets cost from £15.75 per person, instead of £18.
Savings: Up to £9 for a family of four
A family of four can save £9 when visiting Cadbury WorldCredit: Supplied
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
For Naval history fans, you could head to the Historic Dockyard Chatham and explore the ships, galleries and exhibitions – including Steve Backshall’s Awesome Oceans Family Trail.
Tickets for a family of four cost £70 instead of £79.
Savings: Up to £9 for a family of four
Techniquest, Cardiff
Techniquest is Wales‘ largest science discovery centre, spread across three floors with live shows and lab workshops.
Tickets used to cost £17 per adult and £15 per child, but are now £14.87 and £13.12 respectively.
Savings: Up to £8.02 for a family of four
The Big Sheep, North Devon
The Big Sheep family theme park in Bideford is home to both farm animals and rides, as well as live entertainment for when the weather isn’t great.
Tickets cost £14.95 per person instead of £16.95 and £6 instead of £8 per child under three-foot tall.
Andy Burnham has said he will review an early prisoner release policy, due to come into force this autumn, following anger that two killers of PC Andrew Harper could be freed early.
From September, thousands of offenders in England and Wales will be eligible to be released earlier under the Sentencing Act. Tens of thousands of inmates have been let out of prison to create more space in jails since 2024.
Burnham said: “I can’t say that I can change the policy completely, but I will look at it in detail before we go further forward.”
He acknowledged that there was “pressure on prisons places” and that a failure to invest in the prison system in the past had created “an unacceptable situation”.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were sentenced to 13 years in custody for manslaughter but could be released early under the new Sentencing Act.
Henry Long was jailed for 16 years for PC Harper’s manslaughter but would not be eligible.
The overcrowding of the prison estate has been a problem for several years and successive governments have released prisoners early in a bid to free up space.
The Sentencing Act, which was passed by Sir Keir Starmer’s government earlier this year, was designed to ease pressure on prisons, and will see some offenders spend less time in prison before release.
Burnham said: “I want to assure myself that everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds, and I can give that assurance that every single part of this I will look into with the justice secretary.”
Concerning the case of PC Harper, he said: “I feel for the family it’s an appalling crime that was committed.”
He said the “main perpetrator” of his death would not be eligible for early release.
A former Biden official tells Al Jazeera that Lebanon’s pilot zones will only create an environment for Hezbollah to continue its armed resistance. Former State Department official, Jennifer Gavito, says she has a difficult time imagining Israel fully withdrawing from Lebanon.
JACKSON, Miss. — The former mayor of Mississippi’s capital city and the former City Council president have pleaded guilty in a bribery scheme one week before they were set to face trial.
Former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and former Jackson City Council President Aaron Banks pleaded guilty Monday to one count of conspiracy. Their pleas came after Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens pleaded guilty last week and resigned. All three are Democrats.
Two other people — Angelique Lee, the Democratic former vice president of the Jackson City Council, and Sherik Marve Smith, a businessman and relative of Owens — had already pleaded guilty to bribery charges.
A November 2024 indictment accused Owens of taking at least $115,000 from two FBI agents posing as real estate developers and facilitating more than $80,000 in bribe payments to Banks, Lumumba and Lee in exchange for their help greenlighting a development project.
Lumumba, Banks and Owens could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. Their sentencing hearings are set for Oct. 15.
Lumumba, who previously called the charges a political prosecution, lost his reelection bid last year. His lawyers did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ requests for comment.
Spain’s immigration scheme sees more than a million applications, with Latin Americans leading the numbers at 67 percent.
Published On 2 Jul 20262 Jul 2026
Almost 1.2 million undocumented migrants have sought legal status in Spain under a scheme that has defied a growing European crackdown on irregular immigration.
The government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a standard-bearer of more open immigration policies, launched the vast plan in April while European neighbours toughen measures in response to pressure from ascendant far-right parties.
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A total of 1,174,978 applications were submitted between mid-April and June 30 when the window closed, with more than 600,000 already being processed, Secretary of State for Migration Pilar Cancela told a news conference in Madrid on Thursday.
Latin America accounted for 67 percent of the submissions, with Colombia alone representing 25.9 percent of the total. African nationalities followed with 22.9 percent.
After Colombia, the most represented countries were Morocco at 13.3 percent, Venezuela with 11.8 percent and Peru at 8.8 percent.
An overwhelming majority of applicants were young, with eight out of 10 younger than 45 years old, while 57 percent of the total were males against 43 percent for females.
The application total does not necessarily indicate how many people will normalise their situation. According to government projections in April, there are about 500,000 potential beneficiaries.
Applicants must prove they have a clean criminal record and spent at least five consecutive months in Spain before January 1.
The authorities have three months to process their paperwork and decide whether to issue a work and residence permit valid only in Spain.
Sanchez has touted the benefits of immigration and the vast regularisation scheme for sectors such as construction that need to boost their workforce.
“Without immigration, Spain would lose 19 percent of its GDP by 2050,” Sanchez said on Tuesday during a presentation on migration. “And what does that mean in business terms? It means, for example, that 90,000 bars would have to close, that 50,000 primary and secondary classrooms would find themselves without students, and that around 220,000 farms would disappear.”
Without immigration, he added, Spain would be “poorer, emptier, weaker and without the resources to fund its welfare state”.
“Spain has never moved forward by building walls,” the prime minister said. “The only decent thing to do is extend a hand, not turn our backs on immigration.”
Spanish business leaders have welcomed the move, but the conservative and far-right opposition are furious about a policy they say will encourage more irregular immigration. Santiago Abascal, the leader of the far-right Vox party, slammed the scheme, calling it an “invasion”.
“More than a million strangers now competing with Spaniards for jobs, housing, daycare places, hospital beds, and social assistance. It’s an invasion. And it’s a betrayal,” Abascal said on X.
To combat rising fuel prices, a UK holiday park is offering to reimburse guests through its newly launched ‘Fuel Cover’ scheme this summer
09:05, 26 May 2026Updated 09:06, 26 May 2026
Holidaymakers are looking for ways to save costs(Image: Getty Images)
One of Britain’s largest holiday park operators is offering to reimburse fuel costs for guests travelling to their locations, as prices keep climbing. With oil prices at their highest level since 2022 because of tensions in the Middle East, petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel prices are being transferred to consumers.
As a results, Hoseasons is offering to refund the money spent getting to their sites this summer, through its recently introduced ‘Fuel Cover’. It comes after research revealed 15.4 million Brits (28%) have altered holiday plans this year because of increasing costs.
Nearly six in 10 of the 2,000 adults surveyed said the expense of going away, including travel, fuel, and spending while there, are deterring them from booking a trip this summer.
“UK breaks remain a hugely popular option for families looking for flexibility, value and quality time together, giving people the chance to properly switch off and reconnect closer to home,” Simon Altham, chief operating officer for the brand said.
“We know rising travel costs are becoming a bigger consideration for many holidaymakers this summer. Fuel, in particular, can quickly add to the overall cost of a trip, especially for families travelling during peak holiday periods.
“That’s why we wanted to help ease some of that pressure and support people continuing to take the UK breaks they were already planning this summer.”
The research, carried out on behalf of the brand, revealed that 7.6 million (27%) of those planning a UK holiday admitted they will cover shorter distances for a domestic getaway this year, with those driving expecting to spend an average of £68 on fuel.
Amongst those still intending to take a break, 26% have set a reduced overall budget for their trip, while 23% are seeking self-catering accommodation. Similarly, many stated they are actively hunting for cashback or money-saving deals prior to booking.
Two thirds believe holiday firms need to do more to encourage people to book trips in the current climate.
Hoseasons customers can claim back up to £75 in fuel costs through its new Fuel Cover initiative per booking between 20 May and 30 August for travel before 30 September. Bookings must be made by phone and quoting the code “FUEL75”.
Simon Altham from Hoseasons said: “Travel costs are one of the biggest considerations for holidaymakers at the moment. Fuel, in particular, can quickly become one of the biggest extra costs for families travelling during peak holiday periods.
“That’s why we’ve designed the offer to ease some of the pressure and help families make the most of their summer breaks.”
EASYJET will launch a loyalty program in 2027, to reward repeat bookers of both its flights and holidays.
Customers will be able to accrue points based on how much they’ve spent, which they’ll then be able to use for discounts on future bookings.
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easyJet has announced it will start a new loyalty scheme for its customers next yearCredit: AFPHolidaymakers will be able to save money on flights and holidaysCredit: Getty
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The airline said that it benefits from a “local customer base” with lots of “returning” flyers and essentially wants to reward them for it.
Not many details about the scheme have been announced, but talking to the Financial Times, easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis said that it would have “broad appeal”.
He added: “Not only do we have commuters… but also people who book holidays accumulate value that they can redeem either on a flight or on holiday.”
Reading between the lines, it doesn’t seem that easyJet will be replacing its easyJet Plus scheme, which is already in place and designed for frequent flyers.
easyJet Plus is available for an annual fee of £249, where passengers benefit from ‘Plus’ bag drop, speedy boarding, inclusive allocated seating and fast track security – and other ‘exclusive benefits’.
Many other airlines operate loyalty schemes, and recently British Airways made a change to the way its tier points count towards silver or gold membership.
For every £1 they spend, they will earn one tier point, which makes it tougher for flyers to earn the top status.
It appears that easyJet will be keeping its easyJet Plus scheme as wellCredit: Getty
According to the Financial Times, Virgin Atlantic said more than 10,000 BA members had switched to its programme after offering to match the status of any customers booking a flight.
Earlier this year, easyJet announced it would be launching new routes from the UK – some of which are from Newcastle International Airport, its newest base which it opened in March.
In October, the airline will begin flights from Newcastle to Fuerteventura providing a winter sun escape to the Canary Island.
Anyone wanting to visit Reykjavik, Iceland, can travel from Newcastle from October 27 twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Sacramento — A veteran California political consultant has agreed to plead guilty in a scheme to steal campaign funds from Xavier Becerra, now a leading candidate for governor, when he served in the Biden administration, according to filings in her criminal case on Thursday.
Dana Williamson will plead guilty to three counts, including bank fraud and lying to authorities. In exchange, the federal government will dismiss 20 other counts against her related to her tax filings and a federal COVID-era loan she received.
A court hearing is scheduled Thursday morning.
Williamson, a former chief of staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom, was arrested in November and pleaded not guilty. The government secured guilty pleas in December from two advisors who worked with alongside her to skim money from Becerra.
Prosecutors say that Williamson, Becerra’s then-chief of staff Sean McCluskie and lobbyist Greg Campbell took part in a scheme to siphon money from Becerra’s dormant campaign account and funnel it to McCluskie.
McCluskie needed the money, according to prosecutors, so he could afford to fly home frequently to see his family in California while working for Becerra, who was Biden’s health secretary, in Washington, D.C.
As part of the scheme, Williamson and another consultant charged Becerra’s account up to $10,000 a month to manage one of his dormant state campaign accounts.
Becerra approved the payments, even though he had never paid such a high amount for a similar job. He told The Times that McCluskie told him to pay the fees.
Becerra’s rivals in the governor’s race are hammering him over his decision, arguing he should have known something wasn’t right. Becerra has said that he didn’t know about the criminal behavior and has called the charges a “gut punch.”
Known as an hard-nosed and aggressive operator, Williamson’s career in politics also included working for former governors Jerry Brown and Gray Davis and mentoring other women.
McGregor Scott, Williamson’s attorney, told reporters last year that federal authorities initially approached Williamson about helping them with a probe into Newsom. She refused, he said, and was subsequently charged.
Details contained in the indictment and other public records suggest that federal authorities were looking into the state’s handling of alleged sexual harassment at Activision Blizzard Inc., a video game company.
As members make purchases, they will progress through three levels and each level increases the benefits like TUI treats, priority support and personalised rewards.
These rewards also include on-board and in-hotel added benefits.
For even more potential wins, there will also be a monthly game with ‘great prizes’ to be won.
For higher tier members, there will be better access to services like priority live chat and priority call support.
The scheme launched in Finland in March of this year and will be rolled out in the UK later this year.