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‘The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.’ This well known saying – adapted from an 18th Century Robert Burns poem ‘To a Mouse’ – reminds us that no matter how carefully we plan, things may well go wrong, often due to circumstances beyond our control. In recent times, there have been lots of these events: extreme weather and strike action are regular causes of travel disruption, making it hard for people to get to work. Global bugs such as seasonal flu outbreaks all come into play, causing further disruption and distress.

Passenger jet parked at airport gate

Travel disruptions often make it hard for people to get to work

Quite aside from the effect on individual lives, when large numbers of people are unable to get to work, or to attend meetings and events, it can also dramatically affect businesses and the wider economy.

The current coronavirus