Crime & Safety
Red Arrows future hit by UK firm’s administration with 30 jobs lost
Aeralis had positioned itself as the only UK firm capable of designing and manufacturing a new advanced jet trainer domestically, with hopes of securing a government contract ahead of the RAF’s planned retirement of its Hawk aircraft in 2030.
The Red Arrows are a familiar sight across Oxfordshire skies, frequently flying over the county during training sorties, with RAF Brize Norton serving as a major nearby base and RAF Fairford just over the border in Gloucestershire.
The potential replacement of the Hawk jets has therefore been of particular local interest, given the region’s close ties to RAF operations and aviation activity.
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Administrators said the firm had faced “a sustained period of pressure” on its cash flow following “continued delays to the UK Defence Investment Plan, combined with geopolitical factors affecting sources of funding”.
The Ministry of Defence said the programme to replace fast jet trainers is ongoing, with a spokesperson adding: “The fast jet trainer programme is ongoing and no final procurement decisions have been made.
“More broadly, this government is backing British jobs, British industry, and British innovators – since July 2024, we have signed 1,200 major contracts, with 93% of the spend going to UK-based companies.”
The BBC reported that Aeralis’s main investor, Barzan Holdings, withdrew funding amid tensions linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran, while a potential deal with the French government also failed to materialise.
The company filed for administration last month, and Joanne Milner, from administrators Buchler Phillips, said: “Aeralis has developed a highly differentiated proposition within the aerospace and defence sector.
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“We hope that the administration process will provide an opportunity to explore routes to preserve and develop that value for stakeholders.”
Aeralis chairman Robin Southwell said the move followed “careful consideration of the company’s position and the funding challenges it has faced over recent months”.
Mr Southwell added: “We will continue to support the joint administrators as they explore viable, sustainable options for the future of the business and engage with interested parties.”
Prior to the collapse, Mr Southwell had warned that delays to the government’s defence investment plan were making life “very difficult for companies such as ours and others”.
He urged ministers to provide “clarity and direction” to allow firms to generate jobs and exports.
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The government’s Strategic Defence Review last year recommended replacing the Hawk with a “cost-effective, advanced trainer jet”, with rival bids from companies including BAE Systems and Leonardo already under consideration.
Justin Bronk, of defence think tank RUSI, said the Aeralis proposal was “purely theoretical, and its only attraction is the promise of UK jobs at some point”.
“Its downsides include high programme and development risks, and long realistic timeframes until any serviceable aircraft might be delivered, compared to alternatives that already exist,” he said.
He added that proven options could be delivered more quickly, stressing the importance of a reliable fast jet training pipeline for the UK’s wider combat air capabilities.
The Kings Arms in Sandford-on-Thames, part of the Chef & Brewer collection operated by Greene King, reopened to the public last weekend.
Situated near Sandford Lock, the historic pub has been given a top-to-bottom refresh designed to modernise the space while preserving its character.
Internally, the layout has been reconfigured to improve flow, with upgrades to the bar area, repositioned service points and new furniture and décor to create a more comfortable and inviting setting.
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Accessibility has also been improved, with new flooring and a refreshed layout making the venue more welcoming for all visitors, including those with dogs.
Outside, the pub’s large riverside beer garden remains a key attraction. Enhancements include a renovated pergola, extended seating areas and improvements around the prominent horse chestnut tree, creating an appealing space for outdoor dining throughout the year.
Customers can also enjoy a new seasonal menu featuring traditional pub favourites, Sunday roasts and more contemporary dishes.
To mark the reopening, local resident Ann Bishop was invited to cut the ribbon. The pub has also made a donation to Oxenford Cricket Club as part of its community support efforts.
General manager Lee Hyland said the investment had “truly transformed” the pub while maintaining its long-standing appeal to both locals and visitors.
The 66-year-old was born in the city and grew up in Blackbird Leys before going on to star in projects such as Jeeves and Wooster, Blackadder and The Night Manager.
He is perhaps best known globally for his role as the titular character in House, which ran for eight seasons between 2004 and 2012.
Another one of Mr Laurie’s biggest hits was the spy thriller, The Night Manager, which was released in 2016 and saw him play off against Tom Hiddleston’s Jonathan Pine.
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The six-episode series saw the 66-year-old win a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his villainous part as Richard Roper.
He reprised the role in a shock return during the long-awaited second series, which was released earlier this year.
Writer Janet Murray took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to criticise the long-running medical drama, suggesting each episode followed a repetitive formula in which Dr House initially misdiagnoses a patient and nearly loses his job, before eventually solving the case and avoiding dismissal.
“Eight seasons of this?” she asked, drawing an unexpected response from actor Hugh Laurie.
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“Thanks for your critique,” wrote the Blackadder star on X. “We actually tried a couple of episodes where House gets it right first time, but they were only 6 minutes long. NBC weren’t happy.
“Then we tried some where House never gets it right, and the patient dies. The audience wasn’t happy.”
He continued: “One could apply your trenchant analysis to other art forms: JS Bach wrote 30 Goldberg variations on the same chord structure; Frida Kahlo painted 50 portraits of herself; Henry Moore, what??
“The point is, or was, variations on a theme; if all you see is hospital, medical blah blah, then it wasn’t meant for you. Nonetheless, I look forward to your first novel!”
Chiltern Railways has announced that two train services are experiencing delays after unrelated issues.
The more serious event today (Tuesday, June 9) relates to Banbury where there are almost hour-long delays due to people trespassing on the train tracks.
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A spokesperson for the railway company said: “We apologise but due to trespassers on the railway at Banbury, the line towards the West Midlands and London is blocked.”
First reported at around 12.30pm, this is expected to last until at least 2.15pm.
We apologise that due to a problem with line-side equipment between Bicester North and Kings Sutton, trains have to run at reduced speed on both the line towards London and the line towards the West Midlands.
Please check your journey prior to travel via: https://t.co/vWimDIg2w9 … pic.twitter.com/ne15KKYUSH
— Chiltern Railways (@chilternrailway) June 9, 2026
The other issue is centred between Bicester North and King’s Sutton in Northamptonshire, where there are 15 minute delays to services.
We apologise but due to trespassers on the railway at Banbury, the line towards the West Midlands and London is blocked.
Please check your journey prior to travel via: https://t.co/vWimDIg2w9
We’re sorry for the delay to your journey. If you have been delayed by 15 minutes or… pic.twitter.com/iBSaJVoXYd
— Chiltern Railways (@chilternrailway) June 9, 2026
The spokesperson said: “We apologise that due to a problem with line-side equipment between Bicester North and King’s Sutton, trains have to run at reduced speed on both the line towards London and the line towards the West Midlands.”
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First reported at around noon, this issue is predicted to be solved imminently.
The company added that if you have been delayed you may be entitled to compensation, for which you should go to its website.
“We’re sorry for the delay to your journey,” said the spokesperson.
“If you have been delayed by 15 minutes or more, then you are likely to be entitled to compensation.”
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