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?
