The UK launched a cycle to work scheme in 1999, now the Sustainable Transport Action Group are assisting the Gibraltar Government in preparing Gibraltar’s very own cycle to work scheme.  In furtherance of that objective, they have produced a business focused survey which you can take HERE.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few weeks, it’s been impossible to miss that today is THE Black Friday. But what happens next? As Black Friday winds down, you now have a golden opportunity to keep the momentum going in the run-up to Christmas (and I’m not just talking to online retailers).

The Gibraltar Government has amended the Nature Protection Act 1991, raising fees for access to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. The changes, announced via Legal Notice No. 208 of 2024 in the Gibraltar Gazette, took effect on 15th November 2024. The move has sparked concerns among businesses in the tourism sector due to its immediate implementation and lack of consultation.

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday’s packed-out Brexit Agreement Town Hall meeting. GFSB Chairperson Owen Smith welcomed everyone, kicked off the discussion, and emphasised that the meeting aimed not to provide concrete answers but to hold space for views and concerns on the current status of the Brexit agreement negotiations. Joining Owen at the front of the room were Louis Montegriffo (BMI Group), Lloyd DeVincenzi (Appleton Luff International Lawyers), Brian Reyes (Gibraltar Chronicle) and Jimmy Coelho (AbeGon), each of who brought their own experiences to the discussion.

The Government has proposed amendments to the Register of Property Occupation Act 2021, introducing new regulations for short-term rentals, such as those listed on Airbnb. The proposed bill follows the Chief Minister’s recent budget speech, aiming to ensure fair competition with hotels and uphold safety and quality standards for these properties.

Gibraltar’s new Communications (Amendment) Act grants Gibtelecom sole mobile licensure, aiming to stabilise the market, says the government. Critics, including the GFSB, fear reduced competition could stifle innovation and limit consumer choice.

La Linea’s Mayor, Juan Franco, leads a protest later under the slogan "La Linea matters—we are not invisible." The demo seeks a Brexit deal that addresses local needs and urges investment in infrastructure and protection for workers, businesses, and pensioners. Starting at Plaza Fariñas at 8pm, the march will end at the frontier, with speeches following. Franco encourages Gibraltarians to attend, highlighting the shared impact of Brexit on both communities.

Amidst so much London Day coverage, one could have missed this week’s Retail Price Index figures. The Government of Gibraltar’s latest numbers show a 2.3% price increase from April to July 2024 and a 2.6% year-on-year rise, highlighting inflationary pressures. Notable rises in categories such as Transport, Alcohol, and Housing. GFSB members should be aware of potential cost pressures, particularly in the transport and goods sectors.

GFSB Board Member Seth Galia, alongside Chairperson Owen Smith, represented the GFSB at the Gibraltar Day events in London. The event highlighted Gibraltar’s growing influence in sectors like motor insurance and digital assets.

If you’ve been following the news, all signs point to EU/UK Treaty negotiations ending soon. Lines are drawn and tensions are high. Chief Minister Fabian Picardo called on Spain to accept Gibraltar's “reasonable and well-balanced” treaty proposals, warning that failure to do so would “condemn us all” to difficult border controls. In contrast, Spain’s Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, insisted the UK and Gibraltar must choose between the “comprehensive, balanced, and pragmatic” EU/Spain proposals or face the consequences of stricter EU border controls from November.