Virgin Money has reversed a decision to block some customers from making new purchases on their cards, saying that it has listened to feedback and decided it is not the right time to make the changes.

The bank also apologised for any additional worry and inconvenience that may have been caused.

Earlier this week, it emerged that some customers had received emails saying further spending on their credit cards had been blocked, following a review of people's accounts.

Virgin Money has declined to comment on how many customers were affected, but reports have put the figure at about 32,000.

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On Friday, Virgin Money said that following a further review, it has decided to reinstate purchases for all of the credit cards affected, with the previous credit limits reinstated.

The changes will be applied automatically to take effect from the morning of Saturday May 9 and customers do not need to take any action.

The previous emails had been sent at a time when many households are trying to get by on reduced incomes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been encouraging lenders to put forbearance measures in place to help customers.

Virgin Money previously said that as a responsible lender it needed to review accounts regularly, in line with other card providers.

But MoneySavingExpert.com had said earlier this week that it hoped Virgin Money would look again at any credit limit cuts which were likely to leave its customers vulnerable and unable to meet day-to-day living costs in the short term.

Virgin Money said a process had been in place for customers to ask for their accounts to be reopened if needed, and a number of customers had been in touch and had their cards reactivated for purchases.

Fergus Murphy, group personal banking director at Virgin Money, said on Friday: "Having made changes to a number of credit card accounts to reduce the chances of customers getting into unsustainable debt, we recognise that it was not the right time to make these changes.

"We listened and we've now reversed the decision. We are sorry for the additional worry and inconvenience this may have caused, particularly at this time."

Scotland's rail operator has reported 97.6% of its trains were on time in the last month, as it switched to a reduced timetable due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotrail introduced a modified timetable when lockdown measures were brought into force in a bid to support healthcare staff and other key workers, including early-morning and late-night services.

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The new figures continue to show an improved picture for the operator, following the announcement that the contract of Dutch-owned firm Abellio to run the services would be ended early in 2022.

Following a three-year high of 92.3% punctuality in March, the latest figures - between April 1 and May 2, improved by 5.3%.

Further changes to the timetable are expected when guidance from the Scottish Government on the lockdown changes, Scotrail said.

Alex Hynes, the managing director of Scotland's Railway - a partnership between the Scottish Government, Scotrail, Network Rail and others, said: "We know how important Scotland's Railway is and I am delighted at how hard our staff are working to keep the key workers moving across the country.

"With fewer services running, we have made multiple changes to the timetable to make sure we are meeting the needs of those key workers who absolutely need to travel.

"There are clearly challenges ahead but it is very encouraging that we have been able to implement such a robust timetable and get so many trains running on time."

In December, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson told the Scottish Parliament the Scottish Government would use a clause in the contract with Abellio to end the agreement in March 2022.

The news came after Scotrail was issued with two remedial plan notices from the government over issues with punctuality.

The Braemar Gathering - traditionally attended by the Queen - has been cancelled this year due to Covid-19.

The Braemar Royal Highland Charity announced that the gathering, which was due to take place on September 4, has been cancelled to "protect the safety of the local community, competitors and spectators".

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Her Majesty serves as patron of the Highland games event, which is held just a short distance from the royals' summer residence of Balmoral.

It has been run in its present form since 1832.

David Geddes, president of the Braemar Royal Highland Society, said: "It's been a very difficult decision to make, and to cancel a gathering is something which I had hoped I would never have to do in my time as president.

"However, the uncertainty and continued spread of the outbreak, which threatens the wellbeing of our community, visitors and volunteers, has meant we have put safety at the forefront of our considerations for this year's gathering.

"Being one of the last events of the Highland games year, we had hoped that we might still be able to run the gathering as normal and have been working towards that.

"However, the recent updates on the continued spread of Covid-19, travel restrictions and instructions from the Scottish and UK governments have shown that this will not now be possible without putting folk at risk."

Mr Geddes added: "We know the gathering is a highlight in many people's year and an event which many make plans well in advance for.

"We share your disappointment and offer our hope and thoughts that you stay well and keep safe in the days ahead. Like the hills around Braemar, the gathering will be here next year, and we look forward to happier times and to welcoming you here in 2021."

Queen Victoria attended the gathering in 1848 and since then, the reigning monarch and other members of the royal family have visited throughout the years.

Any tickets purchased for this year's event will be carried over to the 2021 gathering.