LABOUR’s bumper pay deal for train drivers is set to wreak havoc on Christmas travel, the Transport Secretary has admitted.
Heidi Alexander confessed the three-year deal, which included a hefty back payment, has caused a drop in volunteers for Sunday shifts.
Train services heavily rely on workers stepping in on weekends, but many drivers and crews are now choosing to spend the festive season at home.
She told the BBC: “Some of the things that I’m hearing is that because there was that lump sum, which was a back payment, some drivers and train crew are saying ‘actually, we don’t feel the need to be working on the Sunday in the same way as they would have done previously’.”
Ms Alexander insisted this won’t be a problem next year as “the back pay only happens once”.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy is understood to be looking at staffing on the railway before it is brought back into public ownership.
He admitted last week the Government was worried about “staffing of Christmas services”.
The Tories yesterday blasted Labour for cosying up to union barons and leaving Brits in the lurch.
Shadow Transport Secretary Gareth Bacon said: “By constantly kowtowing to their union paymasters, Labour are letting passengers down, and causing Christmas misery which will undoubtedly become an unwelcome and persistent feature in the New Year.”
It comes after research showed train passengers have faced delays nearly 15,000 times in the past five years due to issues with junction points.
LOOKING for a last-minute Christmas pressie for someone who loves travel?
Sophie Swietochowski has some great suggestions for jet-setting loved ones, from stocking fillers to blow-out gifts that are sure to get you on the nice list.
All have next-day delivery or can be emailed over in time for Christmas.
WINE lovers will relish this two-hour e-bike experience in Herefordshire. It features a tour around White Heron Estate in Kington plus tastings.
Picnic/gourmet feast can be added (from £50pp, whiteheronproperties.com).
Or if they’re more of a gin fan, Salcombe Gin School in Devon has gin lessons where you’ll develop, distil, bottle and label your own 70cl bottle (£110pp, salcombegin.com).
Nothing beats the thrill of a helicopter ride. Travelzoo offer a six-mile helicopter tour in one of 27 locations across the UK (£80 for two people, travelzoo.com/uk).
HERE’S a pawesome pressie for travellers who holiday with their pooch.
Dog Days Out by Lottie Gross is a bible of pet-friendly restaurants, activities and holiday homes across the UK. (£20 with free P&P, shop.sawdays.co.uk).
For those seeking inspiration for their next trip Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 is a great gift, ranking 30 of the world’s trending countries, regions, and cities (£12.85, amazon.co.uk).
The Intrepid List: 100 Uncommon Experiences To Change The Way You Travel offers unique travel stories from across the globe. (on sale for £18.23, amazon.co.uk).
Want to buy them a holiday without breaking the bank? Travelzoo members can bag tickets to see Hamilton on stage with an overnight stay in Chelsea, for £139 – bargain! (see travelzoo.com/uk).
The 4H Gibbon Bridge hotel in Lancashire has special overnight stays in January or February 2025, which includes early arrival, a glass of wine, home-made biccies, a £25pp dinner allowance and Full English the next day (£92.50pp, gibbon-bridge. co.uk).
ONE of our favourite travel pillows at The Sun is Trtl. We love how much support it offers, meaning you can have a snooze even sat upright (on sale for £39.99, uk.trtltravel.com).
The Drop recycled wash kit, has a water-resistant coating and three zip compartments with a hook at the top to loop over a bathroom door (£29.95, passenger-clothing.com).
A comfy airplane outfit is a must for any frequent flyer. The eco-friendly sweatshirts from Tula + Tye are fleece-lined, oversized and super-snuggly – perfect for when airlines blast the AC (from £48, tulaandtye.com).
NOT sure where your loved one wants to holiday? With a Tui gift card you can pick the amount and let them choose the destination (from as little as £1, tui.co.uk).
Fans of a retreat near the sea will appreciate a Coastal Cottages voucher, which can be redeemed against some gorgeous properties. (from £25, coastalcottages.co.uk).
Or Great Little Breaks gift vouchers can be purchased online in denominations of £10, £20 and £50 (greatlittlebreaks.com).
TUI Care Foundation is giving travellers the chance to adopt a baby turtle, tree or coral reef star for a loved one.
All proceeds go to the charitable foundation’s programmes. (from £10, tuicarefoundation.com/en/adoptions).
ROXY Horner has confirmed her engagement to Jack Whitehall by flashing her new and giant diamond ring to fans.
The model, 33, shared a series of snaps of the whopping rock while marking the end of 2024.
Roxy made a video montage of the last two “magical months” of the year to celebrate it coming to a close.
In the clip, she can be seen flashing her diamond by the Christmas tree at home and while flaunting her finger during a festive evening out.
Roxy has also shared a cute snap of herself, her comedian fiancé Jack and their daughter Elsie with the ring clearly on show.
And in another photo, Roxy is stroking 36-year-old Jack’s beard with her left hand as he pulls a funny face.
Roxy has accompanied the montage with Benson Boone’s hit song Beautiful Things and posted it on Instagram.
Captioning it, she said: “How could I fit in a whole year of highlights in one video? Here is a snippet of the last 2 magical months of 2024, feeling utterly blessed.”
Jack has replied to his fiancée’s post, saying: “My love 
.”
Roxy’s showbiz pals have also been quick to comment, with Helen Flanagan writing: “Congratulations darling.”
Her model pal Emma Louise Connolly, who is married to former Made In Chelsea star Oliver Proudlock, added: “THISSSS!!!!!!! All our love to you 3.”
Earlier this month, The Sun confirmed rumours that Jack had popped the question to Roxy.
A pal said: “Jack and Roxy are going into Christmas as an engaged couple.
“He asked Roxy to marry him earlier this month and she said yes straight away.
“They could not be happier together and are looking forward to planning their wedding.”
The couple met while Jack was on a trip to Australia in 2020.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, they ended up returning to the UK and isolating in London together.
In September last year, Jack and Roxy welcomed daughter Elise – their first child together.
Jack announced the news online and said: “In awe of my partner who has been amazing throughout this journey and is going to be the greatest mum ever.”
Roxy has also spoken publicly about her relationship with Jack and praised him for his support.
The stunning model was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2021 and she described Jack as “incredible” in the wake of her shock health news.
Roxy told Marie Claire: “My boyfriend has been incredible. I am so lucky in that respect.
“I’ve quietly decided to spend less time with the people who haven’t understood.”
Jack proposed to Roxy at the beginning of December.
The couple were later photographed at Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park and Roxy made little effort to hide her huge sparkler.
SEVEN changes to driving tests are expected to take effect in the New Year – and every learner will be affected.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revealed a new seven point plan to cut waiting times for driving tests.
Waiting times are expected to reduce to seven weeks, while almost 2 million driving tests are due to be taken between April 2024 and March 2025.
See below for a full list of all the changes.
DVSA will begin with hiring and training 450 new driving examiners nationwide in a bid to protect learner drivers from being overcharged.
The company also has plans to improve the driving test booking system to help learners get through the process more efficiently.
This includes analysing the evidence it retrieved about the current rules and processes, and coming up with a new and improved system.
From January 6th, only certified driving instructors or businesses will be authorised to reserve car driving tests for their students.
DVSA stated that they will also not be allowed to book driving tests on behalf of learner drivers they are not teaching.
Anyone breaking the rules will be issued with a warning notice and could have their account suspended or closed.
Learner drivers currently have to wait 10 working days before being able to book another test but in the new year this will change for some.
The amount of time a learner will have to wait before booking their next test will increase if they are physically or verbally abusive towards their examiner.
And if they made multiple serious or dangerous faults during their initial test or if they failed to attend their test without telling DVSA.
The current notice period for cancelling or changing the date of a driving test is three days but in the new year this will go up to 10.
DVSA hopes the change will encourage people to cancel their test if they feel like they’re not ready and give others more opportunity to nab the free appointments.
Learner drivers will be refunded if they are ill or have a bereavement.
The company will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests it cancels with fewer
DVSA will look at changing how far ahead driving tests can be booked so it can better understand how many learners want to take a test at each centre.
There is currently a 24 week limit on how far ahead car driving tests can be booked.
The Ready to Pass? campaign will be gather new momentum in an effort to encourage learner drivers to prepare properly for their test.
The campaign is pushing learners to make use of DVSA’s various online tools to get ready for their exam.
These include tips on what you need to pass, how to manage on-the-day nerves and where to take a mock test.
Research from the company suggest that about 23 per cent of learner drivers attempt their first test within one month of beginning driving lessons.
The campaign is also trying to encourage those who are not ready to take their test to push the date back.
These are the changes learner drivers should expect to see in the new year:
THE draw for tonight’s National Lottery EuroMillions (December 20, 2024) has taken place, with life-changing cash prizes at stake.
Check the results to see if you have just won a fortune and bagged enough to start that jet-set lifestyle you always dreamed of.
Every EuroMillions ticket also bags you an automatic entry into the UK Millionaire Maker, which guarantees at least one player will pocket £1million in every draw.
You can find out if you’re a winner by checking your ticket against tonight’s numbers below.
Tonight’s National Lottery EuroMillions winning numbers are: 10, 14, 21, 33, 50 and the Lucky Stars are: 06, 09.
The UK Millionaire Maker Selection winner is: MBPP66710.
Tonight’s National Lottery Thunderball winning numbers are: 10, 13, 16, 26, 39 and the Thunderball is 12.
The first EuroMillions draw took place on February 7, 2004, by three organisations: France’s Française des Jeux, Loterías y Apuestas del Estado in Spain and the Camelot in the UK.
One of the UK’s biggest prizes was up for grabs on December, 4, 2020 with a whopping £175million EuroMillions jackpot, which would make a winner richer than Adele.
Another previous UK winner who’s whole life was altered with their jackpot was a player who wanted to remain anonymous on October 8, 2019. They walked off with a cool £170,221,000.
Colin and Chris Weir, from Largs in Scotland, netted a huge £161,653,000 in the July 12, 2011.
Adrian and Gillian Bayford, from Haverhill, Suffolk, picked up £148,656,000 after they played the draw on August, 10, 2012, while Jane Park became Britain’s youngest lottery winner when she scooped up £1 million in 2013.
The odds of winning any EuroMillions prize are 1 in 13.
Could tonight’s jackpot of £14million see you handing in your notice and swapping the daily commute for slurping champagne on a super yacht or lying back on a private beach in the Bahamas?
UNDERDOG Ryan Meikle is hoping to CUT Luke Littler from the World Darts Championship – and celebrate with a short, back and sides.
After winning the Crimpers Derby with fellow hairdresser Fallon Sherrock last Tuesday, the Suffolk barber now faces teen sensation Littler on the shortest day of the year.
Meikle, 28, is not full-time in darts and has worked for 10 years at Nicks Gent’s Hairdressing in the “sleepy town” of Saxmundham, which is a 22-mile drive north of Ipswich.
Hair clippers were in his hands before his second-round date at Ally Pally, which is scheduled for a TV prime-time slot, before the Fury-Usyk heavyweight boxing in Saudi Arabia.
And he geared up for the moment of his life – where his every throw will be watched by millions on TV – with a few close shaves in the day job.
Meikle, who travelled to North London on Friday evening, said: “I’ve been working for the last few weeks since the draw came out.
“I worked last Monday morning and all my customers asked: ‘What are you doing here? You’re playing Fallon tomorrow?’
“I said: ‘What else would I be doing? I’d just think about it more.’ I’m good at work. I can earn a few quid. It takes your mind off it.
“I worked on Thursday and Friday. I didn’t want to book the whole week off as it’s Christmas and it’s busy in the hairdressers.
“Darts players often say to me: ‘Did you bring your clippers?’
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“Luke must have a good barber somewhere. Maybe one on speed dial – he has probably got one there for Saturday.”
Tournament favourite Littler, 17, returns to Ally Pally for the first time since losing to world No.1 Luke Humphries in the world final 353 days ago.
Twelve months ago, as Littler was racing to the final on his debut aged 16, Meikle was watching from the shop and had “the most miserable Christmas ever” because he did not qualify.
The odds are heavily in Littler’s favour – four days after he was voted second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year – while Meikle is just hoping to do enough this week to secure a 2025 Tour Card.
Should the East Anglian cause a huge upset – and knock out the TV ratings winner – then he might get the Alex Ferguson-style HAIRDYER treatment from PDC and Sky Sports bosses!
The world No.62 – who has a six-year-old son – has banked £15,000 so far and he said: “What Luke has done for darts is ridiculous. I don’t think he has any weaknesses to be fair.
“What he has done at his age is unbelievable. I’ll never say a bad word about him.
“People who I’d never thought would talk about darts have done so. I feel lucky to play him on Saturday.
“I’m a massive fan of Luke. I cannot give him enough credit. People say to me: ‘Aren’t you sick of hearing about him?’ No!
“The more we talk about him, the more sponsors we bring him, fingers crossed it means the more money we are making.
“You couldn’t have wished for two better players in terms of social media – Luke and Fallon. I was everywhere.
BELOW is a list of Darts world champions by year.
The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.
That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once – Barney also won four BDO titles – and none of Eric Bristow’s five BDO titles are included.
Most World Titles
“I’ve never had as much media attention in my life! It’s not because of who I am.
“It’s who I have to play potentially. I wasn’t used to that. I’m happy to get through. This will raise my profile.”
Meikle – who gained confidence from eliminating Gary Anderson in the first round of last month’s Players Championship Finals in Minehead – is not the quickest player on the PDC circuit.
But he denies that he does that intentionally to put off opponents – it is just his style.
The amateur star said: “I don’t want to be known as a slow player. I know people go on about it a lot.
“I’m not looking to slow anyone down or do any tactics. I want to play well myself.
“I won’t say I have got a good chance on Saturday – because I probably haven’t.
“But I know that if I can turn up and play my best and he’s a bit off, I have a bit of a chance. I hope I play my own game and we’ll see what happens.
“There’s no pressure on me. I love coming here, it gives me goosebumps every time I’m here.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of pressure on him, media-wise, TV-wise.
“Hopefully I can relax and play my best game. Everyone is talking about Luke Littler constantly in the world of darts.”
TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk meet once again in a rematch that has the boxing world divided.
In May, Usyk became the first man to hold all four undisputed heavyweight titles while also becoming the first to inflict defeat on Fury.
But now they rematch seventh months later, with Fury bulking up to 20 STONE in a bid to gain revenge.
With opinions torn, SunSport runs down how some of boxing’s top experts see the fight going.
“May the best man win, I just want to fight the winner. Something tells me Usyk will do it again.
“He has luck on his side and he has skills, has the backing of his people and fights for his country.”
PREDICTION: “As a fellow Brit I want Tyson but I feel Usyk wins.”
“Usyk is going to be on Fury again, from round one.
“Fury will come in a bit heavier and not move around as much and put more punches together to drive Usyk to the ropes and take advantage there.”
PREDICTION: “Anything can happen in a fight between heavies.”
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“Those tippy-tappy punches got Fury in trouble.
“But just trying to be more aggressive could work against him as Usyk loves to be fleet-footed around the ring.”
PREDICTION: “I lean to Usyk. He will have made the right adjustments and narrowly comes out with the win.”
“Tyson’s one of the best heavyweights of the generation.”
PREDICTION: “The problem with winning a fight is you wake up every morning a winner and that’s not a good mentality to have in boxing.
“You want to wake up as the loser, so that gives Fury the upperhand.”
“Do I believe Tyson can beat Oleksandr?
“I don’t think the sparring partners I have seen him with will have pushed him enough. And Usyk knows he can hurt him now.”
PREDICTION: “I would love Tyson Fury to win the fight but the odds for him are not looking good.”
“When you get hit and hurt, as a pro, you are taught to hide and disguise it.
“That’s what we saw with Usyk. We’re told Fury will be bigger and bully Usyk. That won’t work, it’ll make him slower and more predictable.”
PREDICTION: “Usyk wins all day long.”
“I think the big man threw it away, I really do. There was too much clowning around early on and it was his downfall.
“Fury has to be more aggressive as Usyk was exhausted afterwards, because he is the much smaller man.”
PREDICTION: “I could see a draw but Fury to win.”
“Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world right now. He won the fight and that was probably Fury’s best display.
“He needs to have his lead hand above Usyk’s lead southpaw right hand, so he can control him.”
PREDICTION: “I’m going Usyk. Fury’s fantastic but Usyk is special.”
“Usyk has a big weakness Tyson should have exposed more — his body. But, I am telling you something, that will be rectified.
“If Tyson is still the same fighter that he was going into the first fight, then he will do it.”
PREDICTION: “Tyson will win by stoppage.”
“I’m a Fury fan but I have huge respect for Usyk’s skill level, professionalism and achievements.
“Fury’s had the better training camp and that makes the difference.”
PREDICTION: “It will go at least ten rounds and if there’s a knockout, it will be Fury’s. If it goes to points, it’s Fury, too.”
TYSON FURY is at the centre of a huge world-title rematch row — over his BEARD!
Champion Oleksandr Usyk has accused Fury of “grossly violating” strict rules on the length of facial hair and demanded he gets his razor out.
The storm erupted after Fury won his battle to ban the Ukrainian from having a “lucky” crucifix in his corner for Saturday night’s £180million heavyweight Saudi showdown.
Britain’s Gypsy King, who weighed in at a massive 20st 1lb — FOUR STONE heavier than his rival — is sporting a full, bushy beard after refusing to shave for 12 weeks.
But Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, fumed: “The beard rule is being grossly violated.
“The WBC rules clearly say, ‘A boxer may espouse a trimmed beard as long as the hair thickness does not cushion or affect the impact or trajectory of punches, or cause cuts or abrasions to his rival’.
“So, Tyson’s beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further.”
Fury’s matchmaker, Frank Warren, refused to back down.
The Queensberry Promotions chief blasted: “He has a beard and there have been a lot of fighters over the years who have fought with beards, and that’s it.”
When SunSport quizzed the British Boxing Board of Control, which has trained and supports the Middle East chiefs in charge of the WBC, WBA and WBO clash, they said Fury MUST trim his beard if Usyk complained at yesterday’s rules meeting.
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READ MORE on all the build-up to the blockbuster fight in Riyadh..
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Yet WBC supremo Mauricio Sulaiman insisted: “The matter was discussed and the final decision is with the local commission.
“We do not feel Fury gets any advantage. We do not think there will be a problem.”
Fury, 36, won an earlier squabble when undefeated Usyk, 37, was told he could not have his cherished monk’s crucifix in his corner.
He kissed it for inspiration during his split-decision triumph in May’s first Riyadh tear-up.
But Warren insisted: “If there’s anything other than water that goes to the fighter’s lips then the inspector will take it away.
“If anything is seen to be not correct it will be dealt with.”
SunSport understands Usyk’s team have accepted the banning of the cross but are digging in their heels over Beardgate.
Fury weighed in at a career-heaviest — a stonking 19lbs bigger than the first fight, while Usyk tipped the scales at 16st 2lbs, just three pounds up on last time.
There was another argument around the judges after Miami’s Fernando Barbosa withdrew ill.
The warring parties were at loggerheads over whether American Steve Weisfeld or Panama’s Ignacio Robles — who jetted in as emergency cover — would sit alongside Patrick Morley (US) and Puerto Rican Gerardo Martinez.
Warren, who wanted Robles, said: “I’ve suggested we toss a coin.”
He added: “There’s going to be a war tomorrow.”
BRITAIN’S oldest man feels snubbed — as the World War Two hero has not been invited to landmark Remembrance events.
Donald Rose, 109, was shot in a leg during the D-Day landings, and served in North Africa, Belgium, Holland and Germany during the conflict.
He also received France’s Legion D’Honneur — but says he has never been invited to the top services in London.
The former gas worker, who was born on the day of World War One’s famous 1914 Christmas Eve truce, so turns 110 on Tuesday, said: “I’d like to have been asked.
“I’m not one for dressing up but I could have gone.”
The Royal British Legion said Donald was not on its records, but his local branch in Ilkeston, Derbys, is upset.
Secretary Arthur Norman said: “It doesn’t seem fair. There are many D-Day veterans but he doesn’t get a mention.”
Local mayor Kate Fennelly says many people have written to the RBL over the years about Donald.
Staff at his care home say he would love to be at a service attended by royals.
An RBL spokesman said it has since connected with Donald and can now “keep him informed of events”.
