Kevin Hollinrake, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Tom Gordon and Julian Smith have written jointly to the Prime Minister arguing that upgrading the route would help deliver his pledge to drive economic growth across the country.

The MPs say the A64 is a “vital economic artery” linking York with Malton, Scarborough and the Yorkshire coast, as well as providing important connections to communities including Bridlington, Filey, Selby, Harrogate and Wetherby.

However, significant stretches remain single carriageway, which they say causes congestion, unreliable journey times and acts as a barrier to investment, tourism and economic growth.

Their intervention follows the establishment of the Government’s new Number 10 North initiative, which Mr Burnham has said will put the weight of central government behind regional economic growth and infrastructure.

In their letter, the MPs say: “The establishment of No10 North presents an opportunity to break that deadlock.

“Dualling the A64 would improve safety and journey times, strengthen connections between York and our coastal and rural communities and, crucially, unlock investment, productivity and growth across North Yorkshire.”

Mr Hollinrake said he and fellow North Yorkshire MPs had campaigned for improvements for more than a decade, repeatedly raising the issue with transport and Treasury ministers.

The Hopgrove to Barton section was previously included in the Government’s roads programme, with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying in 2020 that work should enable the scheme to be funded for construction during the 2025-30 investment period.

The York and North Yorkshire devolution deal subsequently stated that the Government would consider proposals to improve the A64 between Hopgrove Roundabout and Barton Hill as part of decisions on its third Road Investment Strategy.

However, the MPs say that more than ten years after the campaign began there is still no clear route to delivering the upgrade.

They have now asked Mr Burnham to make the A64 a priority for Number 10 North and work with them to establish a route towards finally dualling the road.

They added: “This is an opportunity to demonstrate in a tangible way what your commitment to growth across the North can mean in practice.”

The MPs have also requested a meeting with the Prime Minister and his Number 10 North team to discuss taking the project forward.

North Yorkshire Council has previously backed the dualling of the road and pledged to work cross-party with national and local politicians to secure the upgrade.

York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Sakith has previously pointed out that both Labour and Conservative governments have chosen not to press ahead with the dualling work.

Mirror reporter Elizabeth Ranxburgaj was at the poignant ceremony in London today where all the victims who died during the 9/11 attacks, including the 67 British citizens, were remembered.

Those touched closely by the tragedy who were present at the ceremony, included Liam McKenna who lost his uncle and aunt.

Liam’s uncle Michael Egan, 51, had moved from Hull to the US eight years before the attack and worked at the professional services firm Aon. Michael’s sister Christine Egan, 55, had been a nurse in Canada and was visiting her brother in New York at the time.

The two Britons were on the 103rd floor and both sadly died during the attack. Liam, who was then 15, said: “I remember going down to where my parents were, and they had it on the news there and I remember distinctly my mum saying to me, ‘your uncle Mike works in that tower’. And very quickly it changed from being this distant news story to being this personal family tragedy.”

Despite living across the pond, Liam said his aunt and uncle used to visit and stayed close with the family. He said: “They always had time for the family, always had time for me as a young boy and my little brother.” Liam remembered Christine and Michael saying “I just really distinctly remember how kind they were.” He added: “They are still well loved.”

The intimate gathering was held next to a memorial sculpture made from steel that fell from the World Trade Center on September 11, which now stands at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

You can read more about the ceremony here.

The Grey High Neck Bubble Hem Jacket is a versatile new addition to New Look’s New Season range

While many people reserve coordinating outfits mainly for the spring and summer, New Look has just dropped a duo that is perfect for autumn – and it comes in two colours. Pairing the high street retailer’s new Grey High Neck Bubble Hem Jacket, £45.99, and Dark Grey Pleated Tailored Wide Leg Trousers, £32.99, the set is the perfect mix of casual and smart thanks to its chic grey colourway and tailored design.

While the trousers are brilliant for work days, the jacket in this ensemble is certainly a versatile staple that can be worn in both casual and more fancy settings. This is thanks to its stylish and unique features that really lean into one of this year’s biggest trends.

As the name suggests, the Grey High Neck Bubble Hem Jacket features a bubble hemline that creates volume and body at the base, adding interest to any look. As for its ‘high neck’, the jacket features a funnel neck – something we’re seeing a lot of on the high street this year – that provides added protection from the elements.

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Not to mention it makes any look effortlessly chic and put together – especially since it is fastened with a hidden zip and popper top. The jacket itself comes in a grey colourway as well as a darker burgundy red that is seriously autumn-coded.

Ideal for layering, too, it’s described as a ‘great throw-on style’ as well as being ‘boxy’, which complements its drop shoulders and should mean a jumper can fit neatly underneath when the weather turns. As for the trousers which go with it – which are sadly only available in grey, it seems – they have a tailored design with pleats at the top for a sleek, slimming silhouette that falls into a wide leg that is both comfortable and elegant.

Shop the Grey High Neck Bubble Hem Jacket

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The Grey High Neck Bubble Hem Jacket is available at New Look.

Loops on the waistband enable the trousers to be accessorised with a belt, achieving a snug, cinched-in fit. Meanwhile, pockets ensure practicality. While the jacket is still available on the New Look website in sizes 6 to 22the only drawback we can see is that neither the jacket nor the trousers come in any other lengths but regular, so, those with petite or tall statures may find the sleeves or legs a smidge too long or short.

For anyone who wants a different colour palette, Nobody’s Child’s Cobalt Blue Funnel Neck Jacket, £135, is a gorgeous alternative that comes in a vibrant blue hue that’ll certainly turn some heads. If a pattern is the right fit, Mango’s funnel-neck bomber jacket in brown check, £89.99, is a fun alternative that is both neutral and interesting. With a concealed placket and elasticated hemline, it has similar drop shoulders and a boxy fit.

The New Look jacket, as part of the brand’s new season, is sure to be a hit thanks to its versatile colourway, style and shape. And though it’s not yet received any reviews, being so fresh to the website, fans of the brand were quick to comment on the new autumn release on Instagram when New Look posted a photo of this exact jacket and trouser duo.

One comment read: “So fabulous”, while another added: “Obsessed.” Someone else wrote: “Wowwwwww.”

Shop the jacket here and the trousers here.

A baby has tragically died and two individuals arrested following an incident in England.

Emergency crews rushed to Long Street, Atherstone, West Midlands, this morning, Friday, September 11, at approximately 11.50am after receiving reports of a one-year-old girl in cardiac arrest.

Despite paramedics’ desperate attempts to save her life, the young child sadly passed away. A man and woman have been detained on suspicion of child neglect.

Part of Long Street remains closed off, with a significant emergency services presence still at the scene, reports Coventry Live.

A Warwickshire Police spokesperson stated: “Two arrests have been made as detectives investigate the death of a child today, 11 September.

“At around 11.50am we were called to a home in Atherstone to reports of a one-year-old girl in cardiac arrest.

“Sadly, despite us and our ambulance colleagues making every effort to save her, she passed away.

“A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of child neglect and they remain in custody at this time.

“There is a scene in place and a partial road closure on Long Street and we would like to thank residents for their understanding.

“We know many will find this news upsetting. Officers will be in the area for the time being – please speak with them if you have any concerns.”

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Jayden Williams, 21 and Marcus Gonzales, 42, were found to be operating a drugs line involved in the supply of heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine

Drug dealers involved in supplying wholesale quantities of heroin and crack cocaine were found in possession of calling cards which advertised their drugs line. Messages were found on their phones which revealed they were selling to downstream dealers.

Jayden Williams, 21 and Marcus Gonzales, 42, were in a car stopped by police in Bridgend on May 6 after it was found that Williams had breached a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO). Inside the car were calling cards advertising a drugs line, named the “JB line”.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard messages found on phones belonging to the defendants revealed they were involved in supplying wholesale quantities of heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine.

Prosecutor Abdallah Barakat said Gonzales was operating under the name of Mark Griffiths, and was in conversation with Williams about supplying half ounce deals of class A drugs. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here

The messages contained recognised terms relating to drugs including “dark” and “white”.

One message sent from Williams to Gonzales read: “I’ll smash you out now, I’m not giving my number out to some crack head to f*** it up”.

Mr Barakat said Williams had overall authority over the JB line with Gonzales also playing a leading role.

The JB line was used by downstream suppliers to purchase drugs to supply to street users.

Williams, of no fixed abode, and Gonzales, of Broadway, Cardiff, later pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

In mitigation, Alice Sykes for Williams said her client had been recalled to prison after breaching the SCPO and would not receive a reduction to his sentence for the time he has already served.

Adam Sharp, for Gonzales, said his client was a drug addict and has problems with his mental health including anxiety and depression. The barrister said the defendant was lower in the chain than his co-defendant.

Judge Williams sentenced Williams to five years imprisonment.

Gonzales was sentenced to five years and seven months imprisonment.

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Yasin Leli, 46, of Hardman Street, Blackburn, is charged with the murder of Fatima Leli and Ismail Leliat their home address.

After being charged by police with killing the couple, who were married for more than 60 years and described as “inseparable”, he made his first appearance at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court earlier today.

Yasin Leli, who spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court, where he is next due to appear on Tuesday, September 15.

Police were called to Hardman Street on Monday morning, where they found 80-year-old Ismail Ahmed Leli and 78-year-old Fatma Leli with stab injuries.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene, and their son was arrested on suspicion of murder at the address.

The incident caused police to set up a large cordon in Hardman Street and in neighbouring Stansfeld Street, while officers carried out enquiries.

Family and other residents in the area were offered support at the Masjid-e-Quwwatul Islam in Stansfeld Street, while St Luke’s Church also gave help to people affected in the area.

Tributes were paid to the couple, with a family statement reading: “On behalf of our entire family, we are heartbroken to share that we have lost our parents, the oldest and most cherished members of our family.

“Married and inseparable for more than 60 years, they were the very heart of who we are – devoted to one another, loved by everyone who knew them.

“Their loss left a void that words cannot describe, and we are still coming to terms with what has happened.

“At this incredibly difficult time, we wish to express our deepest gratitude to the police for their diligence, professionalism and compassion.

“We are also grateful to our local councillors and to the wider community, whose kindness and support have meant a great deal to us.”

While the money from the tickets, which ranged from £80 to £150, went directly to the hosts, SME4Labour (Small and Medium Enterprises for Labour), party sources told the LDRS the event was a testing ground for a run at City Hall should Lord Sadiq Khan decide not to run for a fourth term.

‘Oh no, the ceremony!’

I jumped naked out of the tiny single bed I was squashed into with a naked man named Rory*, and ran to the bathroom.

In the distance, I could hear the faint sounds of people gathering.

‘The wedding!’ I ran back in the room and yelled at Rory who was in a frozen state of confusion and shock, before grabbing my dress and leaping back into the bathroom.

This isn’t the beginning of a Hugh Grant rom com, it was how I attended my friend’s wedding in a villa in Lake Como, Italy: late, after having shagged the best man’s brother who I had just met days before.

It was absurd and embarrassing, and I haven’t lived it down since.

When I got to Italy on a flight with four other friends, the last thing I was thinking was to get laid. I had just my friend Sharon* on my mind – her wedding meant her rules. Luckily, she was one organised bride, so I didn’t have to do much to help.

While I was a good friend, I didn’t quite make the cut for bridesmaid, which I was quite happy about, after seeing them run around with clipboards for the next three days.

Sharon had decided on a destination wedding – Lake Como was all the rage at the time and was full of beautiful villas to marry in. She chose a large estate with enough rooms to house the 40 people attending the wedding, over four days.

The ceremony would be on day two, leaving us one extra day for recovery. We were, after all a chaotic bunch, having all met at the local pub over 10 years prior.

And it was a glorious wedding that culminated in lots of hilarious stories.

One being my dalliance with the best man’s brother Rory.

When I first placed eyes on him, I thought he was cute. Beyond that, I didn’t think much – as I said, I hadn’t even considered getting with anyone, I just wanted to have fun with my friends.

But he evidently thought I was cute too, because the night we all arrived, drinking by the pool, he came and sat next to me, asking me what felt like hundreds of questions about my life.

He wanted to know what I did for a living, how old I was, if I had any pets, what I thought of dogs. Big dogs. He told me he had two big dogs.

I looked over at Sharon by question 12, and she smiled back winking.

I guess that was it – I was going to have to sleep with him.

That night, we were the last ones standing and shared a kiss by the silent pool, giggling. One thing led to another, and after all the wine we managed to down, we ended up having sex by the pool. 

It was quick and dangerous. While people had gone to bed, the villa was still awake, with bedroom lights on and voices echoing across the lawns.

I said goodnight after and went to bed in a room I was sharing with a friend at the time. As I crept in she turned on the light demanding to know all details of what had happened.

‘You had sex didn’t you?’, she said, smiling at me.

‘Yes!’ I fell to the bed laughing. It was the start of my holiday romance, and I was excited.

The next day, we set up for the ceremony – the bridesmaids were like headless chickens, frowning at everything they saw, losing clipboards and taking one too many ciggie breaks to calm down.

I had woken up late with a hangover and was very little help.

So while they did that, I slipped away with Rory and we went for a cute walk. To his room. And had sex. This was the full extent of our relationship, and while I wanted to do more – go on romantic dates and get to know him – we had limited time.

But we had obviously fallen asleep because I was awoken to the sound of music and people gathering on the villa terrace.

It hit me – the ceremony was starting, and we were still in bed.

After jumping out of bed and telling Rory to get his clothes on, I walked very quickly from his room to mine.

I had an estimated five minutes to get ready, and I was nowhere near presentable.

I threw on the new dress I had bought for the wedding and the heels that I feared were too big. Brushed my hair, applied as much makeup as possible and ran out of my room – after taking off and holding my massive heels.

As I ran to the ceremony, Sharon had already walked down the aisle. I couldn’t believe I missed it. Looking behind me, I see Rory struggling with his bowtie, half running, half skipping to the front seats. 

He stands up quickly, does up his fly and sits back down as people around him giggle.

I grab a seat in the back and lock eyes with Sharon. After attempting to mime a ‘sorry’, she bursts out laughing and winks at me.

Luckily, she didn’t care, but obviously everyone knew why I was late.

I looked over at the friend next to me: ‘how obvious was it?’ I asked.

‘You might as well have been having sex with him at the altar’, he whispered back at me.

Nervously giggling, I melted into my seat and enjoyed the rest of the ceremony. Everything else went smoothly and Rory and I continued our holiday romance – this time, we didn’t hide it.

When the wedding was over, Rory and I said goodbye, promising to chat when we got back – me to London, him to Edinburgh. 

But we never did. It didn’t matter, he’s still in my life. Every time I’m late to something, my friends always quip: ‘Having sex with Rory were you?’

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing izzie.price@metro.co.uk. 

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An operation targeting crime and anti-social behaviour in Newport city centre was launched in July

Police have made 241 arrests during an operation targeting crime and anti-social behaviour in Newport city centre. Operation Krypton was launched in July by Gwent Police in partnership with Newport City Council and other organisations, including Hedyn following concerns raised by residents and business owners of intimidating and criminal behaviour.

The arrests have involved a range of offences, including burglary, shoplifting, drug supply and disorderly behaviour, according to police. Officers say 11 people classed as repeat offenders have been arrested at least twice during the operation.

Police have also carried out drug warrants, recovered stolen vehicles and seized £9,000 worth of property they believe is connected to criminal activity.

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A total of 18 reported commercial burglaries in the city have been detected since July, police said.

The operation has also involved more than a dozen activities carried out with partner organisations to address crime and anti-social behaviour.

Among those dealt with by the courts are Mohammed Salam and Nicole Clarke, who were jailed for burglary and theft offences committed in Newport city centre.

Sam Mulligan was also imprisoned for theft.

Superintendent Esyr Jones, of Gwent Police’s Neighbourhood Policing team, said officers would continue to target offences in the city centre.

He said this included breaches of Public Spaces Protection Orders covering issues such as street drinking and begging.

“Where we identify offences, including Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) breaches for street drinking and begging in the city centre, we will take appropriate action,” he said.

Police said high-visibility patrols would continue in areas affected by crime and disorder.

Residents are being encouraged to sign up to Neighbourhood Matters, a community messaging service, to provide feedback about local policing priorities.

Suspicious activity can be reported to Gwent Police on 101, through its social media channels or online.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

People should call 999 if a crime is in progress or there is an immediate emergency.

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The story of marriage’s declining fortunes has been gathering momentum for a while now. Divorce is commonplace, romcoms keep disappointing, and according to the 2021 census, the majority of adults in the UK are choosing, for the first time since records began, not to get married at all.

Having rejected an institution that has been a bastion of privilege for some, and a source of inequality and injustice for others, lots of people are experimenting with alternatives to the norms and expectations of matrimony, monogamy and family.

The real question, then, isn’t why so many people aren’t marrying – although there has a been a lot of hand-wringing over the fallout from women’s financial independence and changing practices around cohabitation and child rearing.

But it’s more interesting to consider why lots of other people – including liberal, secular, queer and divorced people – are still choosing to get married. What explains this ongoing attachment to the world’s oldest framework for union?

Puzzling over this while researching my book On Marriage, I asked a bunch of spouses what had motivated them to tie their knots. Bizarrely for such a consequential decision, most appeared genuinely flummoxed by my question, offering me hunches rather than answers. Erm, security? Children? Taxes? Stability? Peer pressure? Love?

Those who had long maintained a critical stance towards an institution they viewed as intrinsically patriarchal, yet had still wound up inside it, tended to offer me excuses. They did it for their parents, work, visas, kids, money, convenience. Who doesn’t want an excuse for a big party?

Marriage turned out to be a weird topic of conversation. On the one hand, it was a theme so hackneyed as to provoke eyerolls and yawns. On the other, its mere mention appeared to be triggering.

While everybody implied they knew what they thought about it, most sounded like they hadn’t really thought about it. Many who had committed themselves to marriage appeared to have wandered into their married lives more or less absent-mindedly.

Perhaps there’s no other way. Marriage, after all, is an extraordinary proposal: a commitment, made before witnesses, to stick with somebody until death. Who fully comprehends such an act in advance?

It’s especially strange in a predominantly secular society. Until the late 20th century, marriage in the UK was mostly undertaken to fulfil a sacred covenant, receive God’s blessing, and reflect a divine relationship.

But in 1992, civil ceremonies overtook religious ones. Today in the UK, six in ten people aged 16 to 34 identify with no religion, according to the latest British Social Attitudes survey. Yet religion doesn’t seem to have been entirely withdrawn from the institution either.

I was once granted a licence in the US state of Massachusetts to become a “one-day solemniser”. I temporarily had the power to officiate at the wedding of two people, neither of whom wanted a religious ceremony. “Solemnising” – meaning to perform or celebrate an official ceremony – seemed a suitably neutral word.

However, the ceremony did not feel altogether unreligious – perhaps because marriage is a place where modern secular culture has quietly absorbed many of the dreams and values we associate with religion.

Cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker wrote in The Denial of Death that without God, many seek meaning, salvation and sanctuary in romance. So you might say we can see this in the language around marriage. Oaths become “vows”, faith becomes “fidelity”, eternity becomes “forever”. The afterlife becomes the “happy ever after”.

Indeed, facing the perilous future that lies before us today, it’s little wonder if people cling to an institution promising love, commitment and salvation for the long term – even if they’ve no particular interest in what marriage meant to their grandparents.

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