Changes are coming in to help people increase their income

The DWP has issued a statement about sweeping changes affecting people in a certain age group. DWP minister Diana Johnson spoke about changes coming in that could affect people’s income.

The update came after Reform UK MP Lee Anderson asked a written question in Parliament about what action is being taken “to help improve employment opportunities for older people”. Ms Johnson provided a response from the Government. She said: “Work helps everyone play active and fulfilling roles in society while building financial security for retirement, and we recognise the wealth of skills and experience that older workers bring both to the workplace and the economy.

“We are committed to supporting workers over the age of 50 through a wide-ranging strategy that promotes age-inclusive employment practices, flexible working, and progression and career development.” She went on to explain what help is available for this group, which would include anyone born before 1976.

Ms Johnson said: “We have a dedicated offer for older workers within jobcentres, including our 50PLUS Champions who provide a critical layer of support to ensure the needs of older jobseekers are met. We also offer a Midlife MOT, which helps people to review their health, finances and skills and signpost to suitable support.”

The Midlife MOT is a Government service available to people aged 45 to 65. It provides resources to help you think about your career, health and finances. On the money side, the service can help you budget for your retirement and look at what benefits you may be able to claim, such as Universal Credit or the state pension.

Increasing earnings

Ms Johnson spoke about the other support on offer: “Our Employer and Partnership Teams in jobcentres work with a range of employers and partners to enhance the skills and employment support available locally for customers.” Looking ahead, the minister also spoke about what further help is being rolled out for older workers.

She said: “As part of our plans to Get Britain Working and create a new Jobs and Careers Service, we are committed to reforming employment support to ensure it is inclusive and meets the needs of our customers. We are considering the support we offer to those aged 50 and over so that they can access support to find good, meaningful work, and help them progress in work or increase their earnings.”

You may want to check what benefits you can claim using an online benefits calculator. You could try using the one on the Turn2us website. When planning for your later life, you may want to factor in how much you will get with the state pension.

The age you can access your private pensions is currently 55, although this is increasing to 57 from April 2028. Britons face a longer wait to claim their state pension, which you can apply for when you reach the age of 66.

The access age is soon increasing, moving up gradually from April 2026, to reach 67 by April 2028. The full new state pension currently pays £230.25 a week, and you typically need 35 years of National Insurance contributions to get this amount.

Payments go up each April in line with the triple lock, which will boost payments by 4.8 percent this April. You can check how much state pension you are on track to receive using the state pension forecast tool on the Government website.

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The incident took place at the former Marks and Spencer on Deansgate this afternoon, February 23.

Paramedics and police officers were seen on the street at around 4.20pm, with them being seen stood in a gap in the white boarding around the entrance to the former store.

Paramedics (Image: Newsquest)

Firefighters were also called to the scene momentarily, before heading off again.

Now, GMP has confirmed that officers were called to a “concern for welfare” at around 3.50pm, but upon investigation found that there was no one to be concerned for.

A spokesperson for NWAS added that they were called to the concern for welfare at just after 4pm, but that no one was at the location they were called to.

A police car parked around the corner on Market Street (Image: Newsquest)

The Bolton News reported earlier this month that “squatters” had been reported at the former Marks and Spencer.

The historic store on Deansgate closed in April 2023 to widespread disappointment and has been empty ever since.

But after council staff checked inside the building and found no sign of people accessing the inside, it is understood that film crews may have hired and made use of the site.

The Welsh Government will join a bid already being discussed by regional mayors in England to bid for the sporting event in 2040

Wales will join a bid for the Olympics to be held in England and Wales, a Welsh Government minister has said.

Ken Skates, the transport and north Wales minister, said the Welsh Government will join a proposal already being discussed by regional mayors in England to bid for the sporting event in 2040.

Earlier this month it emerged northern leaders have written to the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, urging the government to back a multi-city games which would be “anchored in the north of England as the primary host location”.

That sentiment has been echoed by Mr Skates, who says Wales will join that bid and too will contact the UK culture secretary. Speaking to WalesOnline he said he would be keen for venues in north Wales to be used, citing Holyhead as an option for sailing as well as Wrexham’s Stok Racecourse stadium, but he also wanted to extend the offer to the whole of Wales. 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 in your Google search settings

“When I talk about the north I actually believe that it’s everything that’s kind of to the north and to the west of the M25,” he said.

That would allow the Principality Stadium to be used, he said.

The original letter was signed by Kim McGuinness (north east mayor), David Skaith (York and North Yorkshire), Tracy Babin (West Yorkshire), Luke Campbell (Hull and East Yorkshire), Oliver Coppard (South Yorkshire), Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester), Steve Rotheram (Liverpool City Region), Ben Houchen (Tees Valley), and Stephen Atkinson (Lancashire).

London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he wants London to bid for what would be its fourth event.

Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, said it “wouldn’t be fair or right” for London to host for a fourth time and that a northern bid was “what Britain needs right now” while Steve Rotheram, the mayor of the Liverpool city region, said a northern games would mark a “once-in-a-lifetime chance to bring the Olympics closer to ordinary communities that have too often felt like they’ve been left out of the national story”.

Mr Skates says he has spoken to the other regional leaders to suggest Welsh involvement and will now write to Ms Nandy himself.

He said it would be a good “target point” for Wales to aim for with improved transport links which were announced last week.

“A large part of the progress that we’ve made on rail enhancements and getting commitment from the UK Government hasn’t just involved ministers and departments in UK Government, it’s also come off the back of very close cooperation with key metro mayors and authorities in England – for example Northern Powerhouse rail.

“Off the back of discussions with regional leaders in England we’ve been able to further discuss the benefits that real investment could provide – for example our intention to join a bid for the Olympic Games bid in 2040 or 2044.

“We could attract as a result of the investment that Northern Powerhouse Rail and the Welsh Rail route is secured – we could be looking at major, major opportunities on the economic front.

“The Olympic Games, I think, would be fantastic stretching from Holyhead to Hull, utilising some of our fabulous castles,” he said.

“As part of the discussions that have taken place I’ve also spoken with people who are experts in delivering Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, particularly in relation to transport and transport infrastructure.

“If you look at the Gold Coast, for example, the metro system that was built there was vitally important in ensuring that the Commonwealth Games could run smoothly and as a result of that they’re now going to be hosting the Olympics in 2032.

“So my guess is that off the back of LA in 2028, Australia 2032, in all likelihood the Middle East or India in 2036, the Games in 2040 will return to Europe.

“I know that London expressed a desire to bid again – I just think it would be very challenging to justify a fourth Olympic Games in London when the Games haven’t been hosted anywhere else in the UK and I think a Great Northern Games would be a powerful method of rebalancing the UK’s economy.

“We’ve got such expertise in hosting major events I think it would make for a compelling case, but it would also by sharing the Olympic Games right across from Holyhead to Hull, enable an Olympic board, to utilise some of the expertise, some of experience that we have.

“We’ve got the Euros coming, the Tour de France, we’ve had the Ryder Cup, we got a lot of people who are experienced in this area.

“People have often talked about us hosting the Commonwealth Games.

“The problem with the Commonwealth Games is that they come at extraordinary cost. So far [hosts have] not been able to share it across different regions and nations so all the cost would fall on Wales. It would be incredibly expensive as we discovered when we were looking at bidding for what became the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

“Whereas with the Olympic Games I think the London Mayor’s Office contributed about 5% of the costs back in 2012. If you were to spread that over seven administrations it makes it far more affordable than a Commonwealth Games,” he said, adding the potential returns were considerably bigger.

“The IOC (International Olympic Committee) is super-keen on ensuring that Olympic Games are more sustainable so they’re very keen that we use existing infrastructure, that we used existing venues where possible, and that we’ve used the natural environment as much as possible. We’ve got some fabulous venues that could host a unique Olympic Games.”

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The Tuesday letters page thinks trying to sell Call Of Duty: Zombies separately is a bad idea, as one reader is not upset to see the back of Phil Spencer.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

No way back
My first reaction to the new Xbox boss hinting at a return to exclusives is that she didn’t understand the issue and/or was knowingly hinting at something she knew wasn’t going to happen, just to try and win over fans. That seems straight out of the usual Microsoft playbook, with their desperation for people to like them, and it’s absolutely not something you’d see from Sony or Nintendo.

But in reality I don’t see how they can. If you made something like Fable an Xbox exclusive how many people are actually going to buy it, given it’s on Game Pass day one? Microsoft needs to make money off their games and they can’t do that when Xbox Series X/S sales are so bad. They also can’t wait till the next gen because the RAM shortages mean that’s not going to happen soon enough.

There is no sensible way to bring back exclusives on Xbox and the only unsensible way is to sell the games at a loss, which is the sort of money wasting I’m pretty sure Microsoft has had enough of by this point.
Lemmy

Robo CEO
I initially misread your headline yesterday, ‘Phil Spencer replaced by AI expert as Xbox changes entire management line-up’ due to not noticing for a moment that the headline continued on the next line after the phrase ‘AI’.

For that brief instant it bizarrely didn’t seem that implausible.
ameisa (PSN ID)

GC: Somehow it’s never the execs who are in danger of being replaced with AI, despite the fact that would probably make more sense.

Exaggerated position
Well, Mr Phil Spencer has been given his cards at Xbox, just like the ones he sacked. I wonder if he was pushed or he jumped and as for who is taking over, don’t think anyone would be too worried at Sony or Nintendo.

The only problem with sacking Phil is it’s about 10 years too late. He spent $69 billion on Activision Blizzard and the first full Call Of Duty game under Xbox was a flop. They bought Bethesda for $7.5 billion just so Starfield wasn’t on Sony’s console and that was a flop and is meant to be coming to PlayStation after all.

The only game I have played from Xbox is Indiana Jones And The Great Circle. I know I said I’d never buy an Xbox game but it was a present from the missus and it was so bad it was good, if you know what I mean.
David

GC: No, we don’t. And underperforming doesn’t mean a game is a flop.

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Making cuts
I don’t get that report about Call Of Duty. I can easily believe that Activision will try and sell Zombies as a separate game (and that no one will buy it – it’d have to be free-to-play or nothing) but what was the stuff about Microsoft wanting faster development?

They get a new game every single year, which almost no other game but sports sims do. I know there’s a question about how much the new Xbox boss knows about games, but she’s not started yet. So who are all these dumbos that think you can just press a button and make games quicker? The Call Of Duty games always seem to be made in less than five years, when it really should be more, so what are you going to get if you rush it out even quicker?

No Zombies mode I guess is the answer, but somehow I don’t think that’s going to go down too well with players that are already fed up with the way the series is being run.
Bantor

MovieCentral
I know you guys are pretty busy just keeping up with games, but would you ever consider starting a TV show and film review section for games that have been adapted? I think a review coming from people that actually played the game would give a clearer review than some film student that never made it in the industry.

GameCentral is the only site I read for game reviews and 9 out of 10 times we are in agreement on scores, early God Of Wars being the exemption.
Bobwallett

GC: Thanks, we do usually do some kind of article on the big name ones but Metro already has its own dedicated film and TV reviews. And to be honest we haven’t been particularly interested by any live action video game adaptations.

You win some, you lose some
I’ve got to say thank you for your article on the Virtual Boy games that have popped up on the Nintendo Switch subscription.

I remember it being released almost out of nowhere back in the mid ‘90s.

I also remember the eye-watering cost of the device even after it was discontinued. Having said that, I always had a passing curiosity for the console. I’ve not yet committed to the Switch 2 and your article mentioned that I could still use my Nintendo Labo VR headset on my Switch 1 to play it. So, I got it out of my games room (yes, I have a man cave of stuff nobody wants).

I was not in the mood to wait weeks for the postman to drop it off to my house but as your article stated it would work fine with my Labo VR.

So I took the plunge, as it was a lot cheaper than buying the actual console itself.

Anyway, thank you, VR has always been the next best thing for gaming and that still rings true to this day.

Those games are over 30 years old and if truth be told, the 3D effect was pretty impressive, it’s just a shame it didn’t take off. In a gaming world where production companies will only back safe bets, I have to say kudos to Nintendo for trying to push the envelope.

Not every game is a hit but it’s definitely worth the try if you have the means.
freeway 77

Altering the deal
When I went on the Xbox app last week, to check my reward points towards a £10 Xbox gift card, it went down from 56% or 57% one day to the next day 53%. I thought there was a problem with my phone or Xy xbox account but then the penny dropped a few seconds later and I realised that the
amount of points you need to get £10 has gone up again.

I never saw an announcement for that on Twitter or anything.
Andrew J.

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Single format
Firstly, my heart goes out to Bluepoint Games and the developers losing their jobs, a sad end to a proven great studio.

I’ve always found the discourse around Sony and PlayStation sort of fascinating, as summed up in the recent Reader’s Feature’s hot take. I recently upgraded to PlayStation 5, thanks to the pre-Christmas price cuts and I have to say the lack of first party, triple-A single-player games, and Sony’s ability to churn them out, isn’t something I think about when I’m playing Cyberpunk 2077 or Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

I don’t think the tens of millions on Roblox or Fortnite spend time wondering what Naughty Dog are doing either. I’m not sure why people feel great games only count if they’re exclusive? It seems a very old-fashioned idea given the current state of the industry where mega budget games need to be made as widely available as possible.

A lot of the discourse around consoles right now, between hardcore gamers, seems to assume everyone has a default PC to play games on, that sits in the corner like a washing machine or microwave, and these dedicated machines from Sony or Nintendo are added extras (the reader at the weekend owned a PlayStation 5, Switch 2 and PC – as if that is normal) when the reality for most people couldn’t be further from the truth.

The console is the only way they game, so any game ‘is exclusive’ since they only have one way of playing it and that’s the machine hooked up to the living room TV.

I think it would help everyone if us hyper-engaged gamer types realised the rest of the market isn’t like us, and most people only have one platform that plugs into the TV, and they don’t think about it until they turn it on to pour a few hours a week into whatever.
Marc

GC: The idea that games need to be made as widely available as possible to make a profit is primarily a narrative pushed by Microsoft. It’s certainly never been the case for Nintendo and Sony’s commitment to the PC is limited at best.

Inbox also-rans
Can I be the nerd and point out that Kitana was not in the first Mortal Kombat movie, which was based solely on the first game, so I’m not sure that music really fits (great performance, I loved it!).
Lumpy

I’m going to admit I have never seen or heard of Sarah Bond until this day. I don’t know what she used to do at Xbox but given the state of things at the moment I can only assume she wasn’t very good at it.
Busch

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Is Phil Spencer going good news for Xbox?

MORE: Select Games Inbox: Why did Sony shut down Bluepoint Games?Games Inbox: Why did Sony shut down Bluepoint Games?

MORE: Games Inbox: Could memory shortages destroy the console industry?

Many people don’t realise they can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to boost their future payments under the Department for Work and Pensions system.

And with key deadlines often falling in April at the end of the tax year, checking now could make a big difference.

The UK government’s official forecast tool shows:

• How much State Pension you could receive
• Your State Pension age
• Whether you can boost your payments

You can use the service via the HM Revenue and Customs app or online through Gov.uk.

How to check your State Pension Age

1. Sign in (or create a Government Gateway account)
2. Prove your identity — usually with a passport or driving licence
3. View your forecast instantly

You cannot use the service if you’re already receiving your State Pension or have deferred it.

Can you increase your State Pension?

Many people can.

If you have gaps in your National Insurance record, you may be able to make voluntary contributions to increase your weekly payments.

Even small top-ups can add hundreds of pounds a year to your retirement income – especially if you’re several years away from pension age.

What do you need to know when planning when to retire?

State Pension age is reviewed regularly and may change.

Your forecast only covers your government pension — not workplace or personal pensions.

Applying online is the quickest way to get a forecast. If you’ll reach your State Pension age in more than 30 days you can also:

• fill in the BR19 application form and send it by post
• call the Future Pension Centre who will post the forecast to you

Checking your forecast early gives you time to fix gaps and plan ahead.

A five-minute check today could mean more money in retirement.

Recommended reading:

Personal and workplace pensions

When you can take money from your pension pot will depend on your pension scheme’s rules, but it’s usually after you’re 55.

You may be able to take money out before this age if either:

• you’re retiring early because of ill health
• you had the right under the scheme you joined before 6 April 2006 to take your pension before you’re 55 – ask your pension provider if you’re not sure

Some companies offer to help you get money out of your pension before you’re 55. This could be an unauthorised payment. If it’s unauthorised, you pay up to 55% tax on it.

Becky Clarke, regional head of nursing for the Midlands and South Central Organ Donation Teams at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Our specialist nurses for organ donation are highly trained, experienced nurses who will speak to families at the time their loved one has sadly died, and approach them around organ donation.

A visit from a “romantic partner” led to the capture and death of one of Mexico’s most notorious drug lords, “El Mencho”, Mexico’s defence minister has said.

General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo said information from a confidante of one of the crime boss’s lovers helped officials quickly plan the raid at his hideout in Tapalpa, in the state of Jalisco.

“El Mencho”, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), whose real name was Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, was wounded in the operation to capture him on Sunday and later died in a helicopter while being flown to Mexico City.

The US had offered a reward of up to $15m (£11m) for information leading to his arrest.

‘El Mencho’ killing live updates

The CJNG is known for trafficking large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into the US.

It was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by Donald Trump‘s administration in February 2025.

During the raid, cartel gunmen reportedly opened fire on security forces, before the fighting moved to a cabin complex in a wooded area, where the drug boss was wounded alongside two of his bodyguards.

The trio were transported by helicopter to Mexico City but “died on the way”, general Trevilla said.

He said several rocket launchers were found with them, but the men were not able to use them.

Eight cartel members were killed in the raid, he said, while grenades, ammo and armoured vehicles were seized.

Read more: Who is ‘El Mencho’ and why does his death matter?

The operation sparked waves of violence across Mexico, as cartel members blocked roads, burned cars and carried out retaliatory attacks.

At least 73 people died in the attempt to capture the CJNG boss and the violent aftermath of his death, officials said. The figure, taken by security officials, included security forces, suspected cartel members and others. Officials did not offer further details and the circumstances of most of the deaths were unclear.

Mexico’s security minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said 25 members of the National Guard had been killed in six separate cartel attacks, as well as an agent from the state prosecutor’s office, a security guard and a woman he did not identify.

The crime boss’s death triggered “27 cowardly attacks against authorities in Jalisco”, Mr Garcia Harfuch said, ⁠adding that 30 cartel operatives were killed ​as well as one bystander in Jalisco, while four other cartel members were killed in the neighbouring state of Michoacan. At least ​70 people have been arrested in seven states.

“We ​are closely monitoring for any kind of reaction ⁠or restructuring within the cartel that could lead to violence,” he added.

On Monday, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the armed forces and said the country was now “at peace” and “calm”, adding that none of the 250-plus roadblocks across 20 states remained.

She said the most important thing now was to guarantee peace and security for the entire population of Mexico.

The White House has confirmed that the US provided intelligence to support the operation and applauded Mexico’s army for taking down a man who was one of the most wanted criminals in both countries.

The UK Foreign Office urged Britons in Mexico to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

A spokesperson said: “You should exercise extreme caution, follow local authorities’ advice, including orders to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel in affected areas.”

Four years into this war, the diplomatic wheels are grinding but exceedingly slow.

The best that can be said for talks is they are continuing.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, however delusionally, believes he can still win this war. And he has not shifted on his aims of eradicating Ukraine as an independent sovereign nation.

His forces’ recent reversals on the battlefield have not shaken him in either of those convictions. There are therefore severe doubts about his sincerity in negotiations to end this war.

Russia continues to ask to be handed territory through diplomacy that tens of thousands of Russians have died trying to conquer in vain.

American negotiators are apparently continuing to encourage them.

Steve Witkoff, who says he doesn’t regard Putin as a bad guy, is reportedly still pushing for the Ukrainians to hand over the entirety of the Donbas.

Ukrainians believe he and his boss in the White House are being seduced by fantasy business deals being offered by Russia. Putin money man Kirill Dmitriev says $14trn worth of deals are available once relations are restored.

The history of American investments in Russia does not support such rosy optimism, littered with corruption, embezzlement, partners being jailed or killed.

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Olena’s harrowing rescue mission – and how it almost killed her

The Ukrainians are baffled by Donald Trump‘s continuing belief the war is only going in one direction, that they hold no cards and that they should sign up to a bad deal or else.

It would be impossible to hand over the Donbas without a referendum and unimaginable that a public vote would approve doing so.

Read more:
How war has changed Zelenskyy and Putin

The perception in Kyiv is, with some justification, that the Trump team is not a fair or honest broker in these negotiations.

Most recently Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it “was not fair” that Trump keeps asking his country to compromise, adding “peace wouldn’t be achieved if victory is handed to Russia”.

A delusional aggressor, partisan mediators and far from vanquished victims of a four-year unprovoked murderous invasion. Not the optimal conditions for diplomatic efforts.

Witkoff says “meaningful progress” is being made. There is little sign of it.

Ryan Scott, 28, of Chasedale Crescent in Blyth has today (Monday, February 23) been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

At about 10.40pm on Friday, December 5, police were alerted to a crash on the A19 in Holystone, North Tyneside.

 It was reported that a Volkswagen T-Roc and a Skoda Fabia were both travelling on the Northbound carriageway when they collided. 

The driver of the Skoda Fabia did not stop at the scene and fled the area on foot.

Emergency services attended the scene, where the driver of the Volkswagen T-Roc, 39-year-old Claire Laybourne was taken to hospital. 

However, Claire sadly died on Saturday, December 6.

Claire Laybourne (Image: Northumbria Police Copyright)

An investigation was immediately launched by officers, where Ryan Scott was identified as a suspect and quickly arrested.

A saliva DNA sample taken from the Skoda’s air bag matched perfectly with Scott’s – placing only him behind the wheel at the time of the crash.

Further data taken from the vehicle shows Scott travelling at 112mph just five seconds before the collision. 

With a potential collision up ahead and Scott failing to brake, the car’s anti-lock braking system took over, slowing the vehicle down to just under 90mph, but it was still almost 20mph over the road’s speed limit.

Scott was later charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death while uninsured and failing to stop following a collision.

 He pleaded guilty to all counts on Wednesday, January 21 and was remanded in custody ahead of today’s court appearance.

Today (February 23), Scott was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was also handed a driving ban for 13 years and eight months to begin on release from prison.

Ryan Scott (Image: Northumbria Police Copyright)

 Sergeant Dave Roberts, of the Force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “While we welcome the jail time Scott has been served, no sentence will ever make up for his reprehensible actions on that day.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with Claire’s family as they begin to navigate a life without their partner, mother, daughter, auntie and loyal friend.

“Claire was simply travelling home – she should not have ended up losing her life that evening.

“Scott’s decision to take to the wheel in an incredibly dangerous manner saw one woman lose her life and left her family’s lives shattered.”

 He added: “On attendance at the collision we found a very chaotic scene that presented more questions than answers.

“Thank you to all of the officers who worked tirelessly on this investigation, the undeniable evidence gathered that put Scott behind the wheel at the time of the collision left him with no choice but to plead guilty, saving Claire’s family from reliving this extremely traumatic incident at trial.

“I hope that today we’ve been able to provide Claire’s family with some much-needed answers and comfort, knowing a dangerous driver is off our roads for a very long time.

“I’d also like to thank the members of the public who remained at the scene and those who came forward following our appeals for information – your help was invaluable in securing today’s sentence.”

Claire’s family spoke of the kind, gentle and beautiful person she was and the lasting impact losing her will have.

Statements from Claire’s family were read out at today’s court hearing.

Claire’s partner of 14 years said: “Claire lives on in her children; I see her kindness, her gentleness, and her beautiful soul reflected in them both every day.

“While that brings comfort, it also deepens the pain, because she should be here to see it herself, to continue to nurture her little boy and guide her daughter throughout her life.

“Claire and I have been together for 14 years. We had a life mapped out together – not just big plans, but ordinary ones: raising our son, growing old together, sharing everyday moments.

“We also have big plans. We were planning to get married this September.”

He added: “There is not a minute that passes where I do not feel her absence in every room.

“Waking up every morning without her restarts the heartbreak. Returning to an empty house and the lonely nights where we would normally be discussing boring everyday things, break me all over again.

“Claire was deeply loved by everyone she met. She truly touched so many people.

“She mattered. Our life together mattered.”

Claire’s daughter, who had recently found a place to call home in New Zealand, said: “My mum loved and accepted everyone for who they were. She lit up every room she walked in too, if she was smiling so was everybody else in the room.

 “I really did think that with us having such a small age gap that we would have forever together. I was so privileged to have a mam, and a best friend in one.

 “The way my mum was taken from us has caused unimaginable pain. Her death was sudden, violent and unfair.

“We were robbed from the chance to say goodbye, and she was robbed from the chance to live the life she deserved.

“Knowing that the person responsible chose to leave her there has added a level of trauma and heartbreak that is hard to put into words.”

Claire’s mum,  who was a passenger in the car at the time of the crash, told the court in her statement the guilt she feels following the loss of Claire, she said: “Claire was my only daughter, and she was my best friend.

“I feel guilty because I survived when she had so much more living to do.

“Losing my daughter in such a senseless way is something I can’t come to terms with. I am sure everyone thinks that their daughter is wonderful, but my girl truly was.

“The loss of Claire is something I don’t think I’ll ever get over, but the loss to her partner, daughter and her little boy is truly horrendous.

“Claire was beautiful, funny, smart and loving. She was the kindest person I’ve ever known, and it was a privilege to be her mother.”

The former Labour minister has been accused of passing sensitive information onto paedophile millionaire Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary

Lord Peter Mandelson has been released on bail following his Monday arrest in London on the suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.

The former Labour minister has been accused of passing sensitive information onto paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary. Sir Keir Starmer is due to chair Cabinet on Tuesday after his former ambassador’s arrest.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confimed Mandelson had made bail, and has been released as investigations continue. “A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation,” the spokesperson said.

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“He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and was taken to a London police station for interview. This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.”

The police spokesperson added: We are not able to provide further information at this stage to prevent prejudicing the integrity of the investigation.”

The Liberal Democrats will, meanwhile, seek to force the public release of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy, as the former prince too faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while in the role.

Footage showed Lord Mandelson being led out of his house by a plain clothes police officer on Monday and the Metropolitan Police later said the 72-year-old was taken to a London police station for interview. Two of his properties were previously searched by police in connection with the allegations, which surfaced following the US Department of Justice’s document dump related to Epstein last month.

As part of the so-called Epstein files, emails from 2009 appear to show Lord Mandelson pass on an assessment by Gordon Brown’s adviser of potential policy measures including an “asset sales plan”. He also appeared to discuss a tax on bankers’ bonuses and confirm an imminent bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010.

The emails appeared to be sent to Epstein after he became a convicted sex offender. It is understood the Crown Prosecution Service is yet to offer any early investigative advice in relation to the allegations against Lord Mandelson.

The Cabinet Office previously referred material to police in connection with the probe into Lord Mandelson after an initial review of the Epstein files suggested “safeguards were compromised”. The arrest came shortly after MPs were told the first tranche of documents related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador is expected to be released in early March.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, said some of the correspondence between Downing Street and the peer will be delayed “because of the Metropolitan Police interest”.

The Prime Minister previously said the files will prove Lord Mandelson lied during the vetting process before taking on the ambassador role.

Following the release of the Epstein files, Lord Mandelson said he has “no recollection” of receiving payments totalling 75,000 dollars (about £55,000) from Epstein between 2003 and 2004 as bank details in the documents indicated. Epstein is also said to have paid for an osteopathy course for Lord Mandelson’s husband, Reinaldo Avila Da Silva, in 2009, at the time the government was dealing with the financial crisis.

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Lord Mandelson’s arrest comes days after Andrew was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was also released under investigation.

Despite being stripped of his royal title last year, the former Duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king.

The UK Government will consider introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the King’s disgraced brother, with leaders from Australia and New Zealand alrready confirming they would vote to remove the disgraced royal.

The Lib Dems will table a humble address in the Commons – the same arcane mechanism the Tories used to press for the release of files on Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador – in a bid to compel the Government to disclose information about Andrew, who served as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. The motion will call for the release of papers relating to Andrew’s appointment to the post, including any vetting and any correspondence from Lord Mandelson.