From May 12, 2026, learner drivers must book their own driving tests as the DVSA confirms instructors will no longer be permitted to make bookings on their behalfNew driving rules will impact road users from Tuesday, May 12(Image: Joe Morris via Getty Images)Certain motorists will be affected by new driving rule changes coming into force on Britain’s roads from today (May 12). Learner drivers will notice significant updates from today in the second phase of a major overhaul of driving tests.The DVSA has already introduced amendments to the number of changes learners can make to their test booking. Under the previous regulations, learners were permitted to alter details relating to their test up to six times, but this has now been reduced to just twice.From May 12, further changes will be made regarding who can book and manage driving tests, with instructors set to lose this ability. Previously, either the learner driver or the instructor were entitled to book tests. However, under the new rules, only the candidate will be permitted to make a booking.The DVSA previously stated: “From 12 May 2026, you will need to book your car driving test yourself on GOV.UK. Your driving instructor will not be allowed to book it for you. From 12 May 2026, it will be against the law to book a driving test for someone else.”Prior to booking a test, drivers should consult their instructor to confirm they are ready to sit the test, reports the Express. It is also essential to obtain a driving instructor reference number, which is vital to ensure their instructor is available on the chosen date.Beverley Warmington, DVSA’s chief executive, previously said: “We have listened to learners, driving instructors and voices from across the driver training industry on how to make the booking rules fairer. Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties and put them in control of booking their driving test.”Nevertheless, the DVSA emphasised that learner drivers ought to only reserve their test at a centre they actually plan to attend. Ian Edwards, young driver expert at Veygo by Admiral, previously outlined how the May changes would impact road users.Ian said: “From May, learners will be the only ones allowed to book their driving test. If your instructor has handled this for you in the past, you’ll now need to do it yourself through the official DVSA booking service at GOV.UK.”Make sure you’re registered and have your driving licence number to hand before you try to book. Avoid third-party websites charging inflated fees – the standard test fee is £62, and that’s all you should ever pay.”
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New DVSA driving rules for learner drivers come into force
UK Water Supplier Fined Nearly £1 Million After Hackers Roamed Networks for Almost 2 Years
A UK water supplier has been fined £945,000 after regulators found cybercriminals had access to its systems, exposing sensitive customer data, for nearly two years before they were discovered.The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) announced this week that it had levied the penalty against South Staffordshire Plc and South Staffordshire Water Plc following a 2022 ransomware attack that compromised the personal data of hundreds of thousands of customers.Key takeawaysUK regulators fined South Staffordshire Plc and South Staffordshire Water Plc nearly £1 million after a major cyberattack.
The ICO said attackers were able to linger inside company systems for almost two years before detection.
Exposed data reportedly included names, addresses, contact details, and in some cases bank account information.Attackers reportedly lingered undetected for yearsInvestigators found the attackers had access to parts of the company’s network long before August 2022 when the breach was publicly disclosed. The ICO said the intrusion went unnoticed for nearly two years, raising serious concerns about the organization’s security monitoring and detection capabilities.As reported by The Record, the ransomware gang Cl0p claimed responsibility for the attack and published samples of allegedly stolen data online. At the time, South Staffordshire Water said operational water supply systems were unaffected and drinking water remained safe.However, subsequent investigations revealed that customer data had been accessed and later leaked online.Who was affected Investigators found that, at the time of the attack, South Staffordshire held personal information relating to 750,000 current and 1.1 million former customers—totalling 1.85 million—as well as 2,791 current employees and at least 2,298 former employees. Personal information of 633,887 people stolen in the breach was published on the dark web in August 2022, the ICO said. The compromised data included:Personal details such as full name, physical address, email address, date of birth, gender and telephone number. For employees, HR information including National Insurance numbers. For customers, account information (including username and password for South Staffordshire Water online services) and bank account number and sort code. For a small percentage of customers on the Priority Services Register, information from which disabilities could be inferred.Security failures left customer data exposedThe ICO said the company failed to carry out appropriate security measures to protect personal information, violating UK data protection law. The regulator concluded that inadequate monitoring and cybersecurity controls allowed attackers to stay in internal systems for an extended period.While the ICO has not publicly detailed every technical weakness involved, long-term unauthorized access typically points to gaps in visibility, endpoint monitoring, network segmentation, identity controls, or incident response readiness.The incident is part of a broader pattern of cyberattacks targeting water suppliers and other operators of critical infrastructure. Britain’s drinking water suppliers have suffered several cyberattacks since early 2024, according to regulatory disclosures.Water infrastructure is an attractive target because disruptions could create public panic, operational outages, or even safety risks.Anyone affected by a data breach should consider a monitoring service. Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection alerts you if your data has been compromised or leaked online, identifies the risks you face, and provides guidance on how to protect yourself.You may also want to read:UK Fines 23andMe $3 Million Over 2023 Mega BreachAura data breach exposes 900,000 records after phishing attackBooking.com says breach exposed travelers’ data
Shop shut down after children repeatedly sold vapes and cigarettes
Damning issues were found following a multi-year probe from Liverpool City CouncilWoolton Convenience Store on Woolton Street(Image: Merseyside Police)A shop has been temporarily shut down after an investigation found it was selling fake cigarettes to school children. Back in March, the ECHO reported that the South Liverpool Neighbourhood Policing Team had joined forces with Trading Standards for a targeted operation in Woolton Village and along Allerton Road.Police said the operation was to target counterfeit goods. During this, officers visited Woolton Convenience Store on Woolton Street where an employee tried to hide his car key behind bags of crisps inside the shop. After searching his car, officers uncovered counterfeit cigarettes concealed in the boot.Last week, the ECHO was contacted by one resident who said that the shop had been closed, with a notice placed on the front door by the council.They said: “It’s a real concern as they are great for sending and receiving packages for different carriers but the other stuff seems to get in the way.“Sadly we use them as pickup and sending for different carriers as they support those for sending/receiving packages. We have packages inside the shop and ones being attempted for delivery but the carriers can’t access. We cannot pick up either.“I heard this morning that they may be closed for three months, but I’m not sure if that’s true.”This closure has been confirmed by Liverpool City Council. A spokesperson told the ECHO the shop was issued a three-month closure order on Thursday May 7. This was granted by the courts, and the evidence was uncontested by the owner of the premises.Woolton Convenience Store had originally been issued a three-month closure order in February 2024 for the sale of illicit cigarettes and vapes. Since then, a number of offences have been reported, which the ECHO can now reveal.One of these came in June 2024, when intel was received from a police officer stating the shop was selling vapes to people who were underage.The shop was sent a guidance letter the same day reminding them of their obligations and that they would be subject to underage test purchase.In October 2024, intel was received that the premises was selling illicit cigarettes and vapes, and selling these to children. In the same month, a report from a member of the public said they asked the staff in the shop to call the police after kids were throwing fireworks outside and one nearly hit her, but the staff member refused.The next month, council officers visited the shop with the police to discuss this incident. A search of the shop found 200 illicit cigarettes in a hidden concealment.Further information was received in June and July 2025, which also said the shop was selling illicit cigarettes and vapes to children. In September 2025, a staff member sold a vape to a 15 year-old volunteer in an underage test purchase.Another undercover test purchase took place two months later, where £6 cigarettes were sold from under the counter.A warning letter was sent to the owner in January 2026. More information the following month said the shop was selling cigarettes which “burn your throat”.In March 2026, further information claimed the fake cigarettes were being kept in a car. It was also claimed staff would sell them to children in school uniform if there were no adults in the shop.When the closure notice was issued, more illicit cigarettes were found in a car parked near the shop.The council spokesperson added the owner of Woolton Convenience Store was granted access at the end of last week to collect parcels that were already in the shop. They were going to arrange with the parcel companies for them to go to another distribution hub.
Leicestershire County Council pays £10k a week for child care packages
Sharon Cooke, the council’s interim director of children and family services, told a scrutiny commission meeting that a shortage of registered homes had allowed private providers to inflate what they charge the authority.She said: “At any one time, we have approximately 11 children living in residential care where they could live in a foster family if we were able to find it, and some of those children are of a very young age.”While good quality residential care plays an important part in the care of some children, currently we have children living in residential homes when they don’t need to.”The shortage of registered homes means providers are currently charging extortionate fees for places and, on occasions, forcing us to use unregulated or unregistered homes for periods of time.”Currently, a foster home will cost us between £800-a-week in-house, to about just over £1,000 for an Independent Fostering Agency (IFA).”A mainstay residential home costs us in the region of £10,000 per week per child, and some that are offering homes for children with more complex needs are far more expensive than that.”
Grieving couple startled after ‘intruder’ enters their Travelodge room
The wife was unable to sleep for the rest of the night after a stranger entered their roomCambridge Orchard Park Travelodge(Image: Google)A grieving couple was left shocked when an “intruder” entered their hotel room late at night. Gary and Alison Yates, both from North Yorkshire, travelled to Milton on Bank Holiday Monday (May 4), for Alison’s father’s funeral.The couple got stuck in seven-hour traffic after a crash, meaning they missed the funeral. As the pair needed to clear out Alison’s father’s house in Milton, they stayed at a Travelodge in Orchard Park, Cambridge.After a long and “emotional” day of cleaning out Alison’s father’s house on May 5, the pair “crashed out” in their hotel room, Gary said. While both were asleep in bed, the pair were woken up at 11.30pm.“We were in a deep sleep and at 11.30pm, a man walked into our room,” said Gary. He added: “We sat up in bed and I shouted, as you would. The man said ‘I’m really sorry‘ and said ‘they’ve given me the wrong door key‘.”Alison was unable to sleep for the rest of the night. Gary went down to reception the following morning and told a staff member. He said he was told that staff were “aware of the incident”, and the manager who was due to be in at 12pm would be in contact with him. The couple left on May 6 and made their way home. They did not hear from the hotel manager until May 8.“The manager sent his apologies, but we feel like we’ve been fobbed off,“ Gary said. “I’m not expecting them to roll out the red carpet for us, but we just want some closure. Alison is still upset about what happened. She didn’t get to see her dad off, then there was clearing the house and with everything else that happened, this was the icing on the cake.”A Travelodge spokesperson said: “We are very sorry for this customer’s experience. Any case of an unauthorised person entering a guest’s room is a significant cause for concern and we want to be clear that this should not have happened – our room access security policy was not correctly followed, which is not acceptable. We would like to apologise again to the customer for their experience with us.“The Yates’ experience follows recent media reporting about a 2022 incident in Maidenhead which saw a man pretend to be a woman’s girlfriend to get a key card for her room. Kyran Smith, 29, raped the woman and was later sentenced to more than seven years in prison for the offence.Travelodge says the company has commissioned an independent review to examine its policies and procedures led by Paul Greaney KC. A spokesperson said that Travelodge is also working on an internal review to ensure guests’ safety.Gary believes security needs to be improved at the hotels. He added: “People need to be aware of what’s going on. What I don’t understand is they don’t have chains on the doors. The little lock [on the doors] is just a waste of time. I feel sorry for the poor bloke [who entered the room], he was an innocent party in this.”The Travelodge spokesperson added that the hotel chain has made recent changes to strengthen room access security policies, including retraining customer-facing colleagues on upgraded policies. They said staff at the Cambridge Orchard Park hotel will receive additional training on room access security and check-in procedures.
Children in Stoke-on-Trent use video game to learn about illegal money lending
Interactive game aims to protect the next generation from loan sharksPublished 6 hours agoLast updated 6 hours agoChildren at Star Academy in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent are the first in the country using a new video game called ‘Beat The Loan Shark’ to learn about the dangers of illegal money lending.The game has been developed by Digital Arts Box, a Runcorn-based community interest company, and funded through the Stop Loan Sharks initiative, using money seized from convicted illegal lenders.Pupils at the school had the opportunity to try out the game, which aims to educate users on how loan sharks operate and exploit individuals who require quick financial assistance. Players engage with game mechanics that mimic the tactics of loan sharks, learning how they add multiple charges, eventually trapping victims in debt.Caroline Lewis, assistant principal at Star Academy, said participation in the game offered pupils a unique learning experience.”Our pupils had a fabulous afternoon learning about financial education through a fun interactive way using coding – computing is definitely the way to capture children’s attention.”The England Illegal Money Lending Team, known as Stop Loan Sharks, is actively promoting the initiative. Dave Benbow, head of the team, is optimistic about the educational impact of the game.”In the game, players quickly learn how a loan shark’s tactics work – adding charge after charge until you’re trapped in debt, with no realistic way to escape. It’s a fun, simple way to explain how illegal lenders operate, while also giving young people the chance to learn about computer coding and personalise the game themselves,” Benbow said.England Illegal Money Lending TeamLoan sharks or illegal lenders operate without authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), imposing arbitrary terms and aggressively collecting debts through intimidation. Signs of involvement with loan sharks include receiving no paperwork, repaying significantly more than borrowed, and experiencing threats or pressure over missed payments.Need support or advice?If you or someone you know is affected by loan sharks, confidential assistance is available 24/7 through Stop Loan Sharks at 0300 555 2222. A WhatsApp service operates from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday at 07700 102773. Live Chat is also available at stoploansharks.co.uk.Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.
Cllr Zeli Munjiza Inducted To Council
Liverpool City Council has formally inducted Councillor Zeli Munjiza, marking the beginning of her service as an elected representative for South Ward.Mayor Ned Mannoun welcomed Councillor Munjiza to the Council chamber, describing her induction as both a privilege and a responsibility shared by all councillors in serving the community.”It is my great pleasure as Mayor of Liverpool to welcome Councillor Zeli Munjiza to this Council chamber and to the shared responsibility of serving our city,” Mayor Mannoun said. “While we may come from different political parties, we are united by something far more important: a commitment to work collaboratively, respectfully, and constructively to achieve the best possible outcomes for the people of Liverpool.”Mayor Mannoun said Liverpool’s diversity, with more than 150 ethnicities living side by side, was a major strength of the city and was reflected in the make-up of the governing body.”Our governing body brings together people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and your election further strengthens that reflection of the community we serve,” he said.The Mayor noted that Councillor Munjiza joins Council at a critical time, with councillors considering the upcoming budget and setting ambitious long-term plans to continue transforming Liverpool into a vibrant educational, entertainment and commercial hub with a global outlook. He said these decisions required leadership and a focus on leaving Liverpool a better place for future generations.Liverpool City Council Chief Executive Officer Jason Breton also welcomed Councillor Munjiza on behalf of the organisation, marking the formal commencement of her role on the city’s governing body.”Today marks the beginning of her service as part of the governing body of Liverpool City Council, and we are proud to have her at the table where the future of our city is shaped,” Mr Breton said.”Councillors determine Council’s vision, policies and decisions, while the organisation is responsible for delivering those decisions for the community”.Mr Breton emphasised the importance of the working relationship between councillors and staff, describing it as central to good local government. He also noted a shared local connection with Councillor Munjiza, with both having grown up in Liverpool.”Those experiences shape how we approach this work and who we serve,” Mr Breton said. “Councillors and staff alike are united by a desire to build a stronger, fairer Liverpool, not just for today, but for future generations.”Councillor Munjiza thanked the people of South Ward for placing their trust in her at the recent by-election.”I’m incredibly grateful to the residents of South Ward for placing their trust in me at such an important time for our community and our city,” Cllr Munjiza said.”I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and I’m committed to working hard every day to represent local families and deliver practical outcomes for residents.”Liverpool is a diverse, growing community with enormous potential, and I want to make sure residents feel heard, supported and proud of where they live.”I will be a strong, approachable and hardworking voice for all the residents of Liverpool, someone they can rely on to listen, stand up for our community and always put local families first.”Councillor Munjiza now takes her place on Liverpool City Council as it continues its work on key priorities and long-term planning for the city’s future.
Newly inducted Councillor-Elect Zeli Munjiza with CEO Jason Breton (left) and Mayor Ned Mannoun)Zeli Munjiza – BackgrounderCouncillor Zeli Munjiza has proudly called the Liverpool area home for more than 30 years. She attended local public schools, built her life in the community and continues to live locally with her family, where she is now raising her three children. Zeli has a deep understanding of the local neighbourhoods, community services and the everyday challenges residents face.She is passionate about ensuring Council delivers the quality services, infrastructure and local amenities that residents rely on every day. From maintaining parks, playgrounds and public spaces to keeping streets clean, cutting grass regularly and repairing local roads, Zeli believes Council must focus on the practical issues that have a direct impact on residents’ daily lives. She is committed to advocating for the investment and attention needed to ensure Liverpool continues to grow as a community with reliable infrastructure, accessible amenities and services residents can depend on.
Kristie Robinson – Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Congratulations to Kristie Robinson, Play Specialist on Riverbank Ward, who has received a ROSE Award!
“I met Kristie for the first time in Critical Care, where she attended to support a husband who had two young children, whose wife was dying. Kristie was kind, supportive and extremely sensitive to the needs of the family, and instantly developed a great rapport with them in such a difficult situation. She went above and beyond for the family, and the following day supported the Dad in letting the children know their Mum was dying. I have no doubt that the opportunity for them to create memory boxes, write letters to their Mum and share any worries will have a positive impact on their bereavement. Kristie is a shining example of a committed, dedicated and compassionate Play Specialist.”
Arsenal handed boost in signing Ederson as Atletico Madrid turn attention to Joao Gomes – ArsenalNews.co.uk
Arsenal have been handed a boost in signing Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with Atletico Madrid turning their attention to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes.
The Gunners could enter the transfer market for a new midfielder this summer, and it has previously been reported that they could compete with Atletico for Ederson.
They have now been handed a big boost with Diego Simeone’s side pulling out of the race.
Reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Atletico don’t want to pay £39 million for the 26-year-old whose contract expires in June next year.
Manchester Evening News have now revealed that Atletico are ‘expected’ to sign Gomes from Wolves instead. They are in advanced talks for the player.
In our view, the Gunners now have the door open to complete a deal for Ederson.
Ederson could be signed as Norgaard’s replacement
The Gunners signed Norgaard from Brentford in a deal worth £15m last summer. The Dane has been a fringe player with less than 60 minutes of league action.
Manager Mikel Arteta has benched Martin Zubimendi for the last three matches, but it has been Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has got the nod to partner Declan Rice in the heart of the midfield.
It is quite clear that the manager does not trust Norgaard enough, despite his good track record at Brentford. We won’t be surprised if he heads through the exit door this summer.
Ederson would be a superb replacement and could provide fierce competition for a starting spot.
The 26-year-old has had a brilliant individual season at Atalanta. He has completed 89 percent of his passes in Serie A, while winning an average of five duels alongside four recoveries per game.
The former Salernitana man has also won two tackles per outing. He also possesses good ball control, losing possession on fewer than eight occasions per league appearance for Atalanta.
At 26, Ederson is at the prime phase of his career and would be a bargain signing at £39m. The Gunners may negotiate a lower fixed fee, with easy performance add-ons covering the remainder.
United are likewise keen on landing the highly-rated midfielder. The Gunners must be proactive to beat the Red Devils in the pursuit of Ederson, who appears open to a move to English football.
Stats from Sofascore
‘I was locked up for 15 hours after my friend found body in park’
Bobby Carmichael, 79, and a female friend were arrested on suspicion of murder after she discovered a man’s bodyKirstie McCrum Deputy Head of News, Live News Network and Jasmine Siddon17:19, 11 May 2026Bobby Carmichael spent 15 hours in a prison cell after his friend discovered a body in a Leicester park.(Image: Leicester Mercury)A Leicester pensioner’s life was plunged into a “nightmare” after police sealed off his home and detained him on suspicion of murder.Bobby Carmichael, 79, spent 15 hours in police custody before being informed that the so-called “victim”, discovered in a city park, had in fact died of natural causes.Mr Carmichael, from Beaumont Leys, revealed that both he and a female companion were taken into custody after she stumbled upon a body at Castle Gardens, Leicester, on the evening of Thursday, 7 May.He has expressed his fury following a police apology and his unconditional release without charge.Leicestershire Police launched a murder inquiry and placed the entire park under a cordon after the man’s body was found in a bush at just before 8pm, reports Leicestershire Live.Two individuals were arrested on suspicion of murder — a 46-year-old woman and Bobby, both from Leicester.A post-mortem examination subsequently concluded that the man, who was in his 40s, had died as a result of a suspected medical episode.The park entrance was closed(Image: Leicester Mercury)In light of this, police confirmed that the investigation had been stood down on Friday, 8 May, with both individuals released without further action.Mr Carmichael revealed that his companion had ventured into the park to search for a doll she believed she had misplaced the previous evening, when she made the grim discovery.He told LeicestershireLive: “My friend who I was with said she lost something of hers – a doll – the night before.”I waited in the car, and as she was coming back, she saw the body. I don’t know what happened with my friend, but she found what she was looking for, and while she was looking, she saw this body. I told her to phone the police.”Mr Carmichael and his companion returned to his Beaumont Leys residence and were settled in front of the television when there was a knock at the door.”After about 9pm, the police came round. They took my friend away, and she never came back. I had a policeman here watching me, and then one of them came in and just said, ‘Alright, let’s go’.”He explained that he initially had no clue about the identity of the deceased man, only later learning it was someone he had been acquainted with for years through his work as a taxi driver in Leicester.Mr Carmichael said: “I’d known him for a long time, but I didn’t know it was him. He was a good friend, but we fell out. I was gutted when I found out who it was.”He characterised his period in detention as “a nightmare” and labelled the police response as “over the top”, expressing concern about the police cordon established at his property.Mr Carmichael said: “The police apologised to me as I was picked up for nothing and locked up for the night. Fifteen hours.”I just can’t believe it. It’s a disgrace. Fifteen hours, and they came in and just said they were sorry. You phone the police to tell them there’s a body there, and you end up getting banged up.”You never know who’s going to see it and turn up outside. That’s the lowest of the low, really, when you’re innocent and don’t know what they’re doing. It was vile and just horrible. The police apologised to me, but it’s too late for that.”Leicestershire Police confirmed an investigation will be carried out on behalf of HM Coroner to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, the senior investigating officer, explained that officers were duty-bound to make the arrests based on the information they had at that time.She stated the cordoning off of the scene and the arrests were lawful and conducted in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.DI Granville said that after Friday’s post-mortem examination, which determined the man had died from a suspected medical episode, both people were released without further action.She added that officers had met with those arrested to clarify why the measures were required and “acknowledged the distress the situation may have caused them”.Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source.
