Rebecca Layton, spokesperson for Hospitality Association York (HAY), said proposals for a visitor levy come as businesses face difficult trading conditions while trying to appeal to price-conscious consumers.

The spokesperson added if charges put potential visitors off it would mean fewer shifts and jobs in an industry which tends to employ people at the start of their careers.

It comes after Labour Mayor David Skaith said he was focussed on getting any potential future charges right after speaking with more than 100 York and North Yorkshire businesses.

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The mayor said the tourism industry was a local success story but it put pressure on services.

He added a visitor levy would drive investment into communities and bring in cash which could be used to support hospitality businesses.

Research from the York and North Yorkshire Policy Lab, which was set up by the combined authority and York St John University, found £2-a-night charges could raise £52 million-a-year.

The mayor’s talks with hospitality businesses comes as a national consultation into visitor levies, also dubbed tourist taxes, closed on Wednesday, February 18.

Further work is set to be done on how the charges would be implemented in York and North Yorkshire, including whether to exempt residents from them.

Labour York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith talking to Harrogate businesses about his plans for a visitor levy. Picture is from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

York Council’s Labour administration has been among those calling for local authorities to get powers to levy the charges, saying it could help fund services including for tourists and businesses.

But York hotels and the HAY industry body have said extra fees could put visitors off and warned of the knock-on effects on the wider local economy.

HAY spokesperson Ms Layton said hotels already supported local areas with jobs and investment and it was unknown how taking profits away from them would help the region.

She added although they were told up to a quarter of funds raised could be spent on benefits for hospitality and tourism, the rest could be lost plugging budget gaps.

The spokesperson said: “Hoteliers remain deeply concerned about the impact of further costs, tourism tax supporters often cite that similar tourism levies are commonplace in other overseas destinations, however this does not consider the fact those countries pay an average of 10 per cent VAT on hospitality, compared to 20 per cent in the UK.

“Furthermore, data highlights that of the 32 million tourists to York and North Yorkshire, only 6.1 million stay overnight, meaning less than 20 per cent of tourists are to be targeted for this tourist tax.

“This means 80 per cent of tourists will not be paying this tax back into the local economy, and further emphasises hospitality is being unfairly penalised.

“Whilst the City of York Council may have been able to garner some support from York’s residents, the campaign for a tourism levy has little to no support in North Yorkshire, who overwhelmingly feel that the idea of doing anything to deter tourism is outrageous.

“This tax will also be a further cost for businesses, the wider events sector will also be affected.”

Mr Skaith said he would make sure he prioritised the places and services that feel the most pressure without costing residents if the charges are brought in.

The mayor said: “A visitor levy could be a total game changer for our region, it’s an opportunity to drive investment into our communities, and back businesses in our tourism and hospitality sectors with the support we all know we need, but nobody has the money for right now.

“We must get this right for our region and that’s what I’m focussed on as we go through this process.”

Jake Joe Bamber, 35, also denied causing actual bodily harm to the same woman on a different occasion.

Bamber, of no fixed address, was making his first appearance before a crown court judge at Leeds Crown Court.

He was arrested in January this year in York.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl KC adjourned his case until April 8, and Bamber was remanded in custody until then. A trial date has yet to be set.

The non-fatal suffocation is alleged to have occurred between June 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025, and the incident that allegedly resulted in actual bodily harm on November 25 last year.

Joshua Cooper, 25, died from cocaine-related complications after being handcuffed by police

A young dad died shortly after being handcuffed by police during a “street disturbance” in North Staffordshire, an inquest has heard.

Joshua Cooper, 25, from Biddulph, was reportedly under the influence of cocaine when he began acting erratically on Lawton Street before wandering into the home of an elderly woman on nearby Kingswood Road on the evening of March 26 last year.

Officers arriving at the scene found Joshua “under a pile of bricks” and resisting arrest, growling as he struggled. Witnesses said he fell to his knees in a praying position and collapsed minutes later, reports StokeonTrentLive.

PC Lawton, one of the responding officers, told the inquest: “I tried to assist him to his feet holding his right arm, but he was very heavy. He fell to his knees and began throwing his upper body back and forth. I placed him into handcuffs using minimal force to prevent him from harming himself, others, or my colleagues.”

Emergency services were called immediately, and handcuffs were removed when Joshua was reported to be turning blue so CPR could be administered.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct concluded the officers acted appropriately and in line with policy.

Joshua’s partner revealed he had been struggling with a long-term cocaine addiction, which had worsened in the months before his death. She said he had been aggressive and erratic on the night of the incident.

Forensic pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer confirmed that Joshua died from cocaine intoxication and coronary artery disease, with underlying heart issues likely linked to his substance use.

Coroner Emma Serrano ruled Joshua’s death as drug-related, offering her condolences to the family. She said: “It’s quite clear to me that Josh suffered with an addiction. During his encounter with officers, he entered cardiac arrest. If he had not taken cocaine that night, he would not have passed away.”

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The star’s sibling, with whom she shares a podcast, shared a telling video on Instagram tonight.

Katie Price‘s sister Sophie has shared a video in the wake of her famous sibling’s announcement that she intends to have a baby with her fourth husband Lee Andrews. It comes in the wake of a whirlwind engagement and marriage with the Dubai businessman which has seen her fly out of the UK to be with him.

She shared a clip of Dr Gabor Maté talking about the various approaches that families can make in difficult times and concludes with him explaining the second, saying: “I’m not going to try and change you. I just hope you come to your senses at some point. But I’ll be with you and I’ll be supporting you.”

It comes after Katie posted a message to Lee’s ex Alana Percival where she said: “Please just enjoy watching us build our empire as I’m having his child, I’ll enjoy the ride and big d*** energy now I’m in the saddle.” Alana responded by resharing one of her earlier posts that read: “Catching flights not fiances.”

The Dr Gabor video shared by Sophie tonight showed him speaking in a black and white clip. He explained: “So there’s two major things I say to families. One is: you have a decision to make. There’s two rational choices and one irrational one. The rational choices: number one, what you’re doing causes me so much pain and so much stress I can’t be with it.

“I love you very much but this is too hard one me and I’m not willing to expend my energies trying to self care for all the stress that’s been caused from you by your behaviour so I can’t be with you. That’s a perfectly rational choice.

“Or you can say: I love you very much and I understand that what you are doing, whatever it is, comes out of your pain. This is the only way so far you’ve found to deal with your pain so I’m not going to judge you, I’m not going to control you.

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“I’m not going to try and change you. I just hope you come to your senses at some point. But I’ll be with you and I’ll be supporting you.”

Sophie, who hosts The Katie Price Show podcast with her sister, has not weighed in publicly on the latest drama around her sister, who had a whirlwind engagement and marriage to Lee.

However, she has hinted at being tired out by it all, appearing in a video posted on Instagram in the wake of the ‘quickie’ wedding. She said: “Hello, how are we all?” She sighed, leaned in to the camera and added: “Oh it has been a long old week. Yeah, it’s been a very long week, very tired. Looking forward to the weekend.”

In a heartwarming video posted to social media, Joel shared that his son spilled the beans on Ben Shephard’s secret Masked Singer identity

This year’s series of The Masked Singer has featured some pretty impressive names including The One Show’s Alex Jones, JLS’ Marvin Humes, Harry Hill and Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan who won the series as Moth. The appeal of the show lies with the fact that nobody knows who is under the mask, however it appears that one of this year’s contestants slipped up and shared their identity.

It appears that This Morning’s Ben Shephard, who finished in second place, told one individual that he was Conkers. The presenter shared his secret with the son of The Masked Singer’s host Joel Dommett.

In a heartwarming video posted to social media, Joel shared that his son spilled the beans on Ben’s secret identity.

He captioned the video: “Don’t tell a 2 year old secrets.”For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter

In the short clip you can hear Joel’s son say: “Ben Shephard is conker.”

Joel laughed and replied: “Don’t tell anybody else ok.”

Ben jokingly responded in the comments: “I told him in secret I promise.”

Masked Singer judge Davina McCall added: “This is quite simply the cutest thing I have ever seen.”

After the final had aired, Joel posted some pictures with the This Morning presenter, saying: “Before vs after…

“What a final!!! My pal @benshephardofficial JUST missed out on the win but tbf absolutely nobody thought he would get passed episode 2.

“Rightfully won by the incredible @keishabuchanan.”

You can catch up on The Masked Singer on ITV X.

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Puppet comedy No Strings Attached has reportedly been axed after one series was broadcast

A Channel 4 comedy branded “profoundly silly” has reportedly been axed following just one series.

No Strings Attached – presented by former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc – featured celebrity guests reading out risqué fan fiction whilst puppets performed the scenes. The programme broadcast its debut series last year but struggled to impress some critics, with the Irish Independent describing it as “shockingly bad” in its review.

TVZone has now reported that the show is understood not to be returning for a second series on Channel 4.

The programme was initially announced in 2022 under the working title The Really Rude Puppet Show. Following delays, it eventually premiered on E4 in 2025, rebranded as No Strings Attached.

The format, which featured stars such as Kerry Katona and Sam Thompson, involved famous faces narrating saucy tales about their fictional romantic encounters, whilst puppets performed elements of the scenarios being recounted, reports the Mirror.

READ MORE: Mel Giedroyc on missing pal Sue Perkins when filming new Channel 4 showREAD MORE: Bake Off star to host new ITV game show after exit

Fans had a mixed response, with some viewers taking to X (formerly Twitter) to praise it as “good fun”, “very funny” and “hilarious”. One viewer said the puppets “had me in stitches” whilst another declared: “I LOVED IT.”

Others were less enthusiastic, however, with one audience member branding it “a disappointment”. Another remarked that it was “as unfunny as it is redundant”.

Critics were similarly harsh, with the Irish Independent’s piece stating: “Channel 4’s celebrity puppet sex show isn’t shocking – it’s just shockingly bad.”

The Guardian awarded it a mere two out of five stars, albeit acknowledging that “the presence of Giedroyc makes any kind of chat/quiz/contest caper watchable”.

“To demonstrate this beyond dispute, E4 has come up with No Strings Attached, a profoundly silly piece of flim-flam that is objectively awful, and with any other presenter would be unbearable,” stated the review.

Channel 4 has been approached for comment.

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No Strings Attached can be streamed on Channel 4.

More than 550 commercial driving schools in the U.S. that train truckers and bus drivers must close after investigators found they employed unqualified instructors, failed to adequately test students and had other safety issues, the federal Transportation Department announced Wednesday.

The move marks the Transportation Department’s latest effort to improve safety in the trucking industry. And unlike its previous actions last fall to decertify up to 7,500 schools that included many defunct operations, this latest step is focused on what it deemed were active schools with significant shortcomings that inspectors identified in 1,426 site visits.

The department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them ever since a fatal crash in August. A truck driver that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says was not authorized to be in the U.S. made an illegal U-turn and caused a crash in Florida that killed three people. Other fatal crashes since then, including one in Indiana earlier this month that killed four, have only added to the concerns.

Duffy said 448 schools that failed to meet basic safety standards. Inspectors found shortcomings such as employing unqualified instructors, failing to test students’ skills or teach them how to handle hazardous materials and using the wrong equipment to teach drivers. Another 109 schools removed themselves from the registry of schools when they learned that inspectors were planning to visit.

“American families should have confidence that our school bus and truck drivers are following every letter of the law and that starts with receiving proper training before getting behind the wheel,” Duffy said.

The list of schools that officials want to decertify now are generally smaller ones, including a number of programs run by school districts. Five of the bigger, more reputable schools represented by the national Commercial Vehicle Training Association were audited but those all passed.

Jeffery Burkhardt, who is chair of the national trucking schools group, said established schools welcome the new enforcement effort to eliminate bad schools that aren’t meeting the standards. He said these audits mark the first time regulators have enforced the standards for driving schools that were passed in 2022.

“There’s no reason to believe that they’re not going to keep on moving on it, which is good. You know, the good players have no problem with it. Absolutely none,” said Burkhardt, who is also is senior director of operations at Ancora, which provides CDL training at colleges, community colleges and companies. Another 97 schools are currently under investigation for compliance issues.

Part of the problem in the trucking industry is that schools and trucking companies can essentially self certify themselves when they apply to begin operating, observers note, and questionable operations might not be caught until much later when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gets a chance to audit them.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many students were enrolled at these schools that are being decertified or how many graduated with questionable qualifications. A Transportation Department spokeswoman said officials may follow up on those graduates later. Burkhardt said that hopefully most of the unqualified drivers were weeded out before they got on the highway by the skills tests states administer before handing out commercial licenses.

But there is some cushion in the industry right now because there are currently more drivers than needed in the midst of a 10% drop in shipments since 2022 because of the economic uncertainty. Although many trucking companies still struggle to find enough well-qualified drivers with clean records.

In addition to threatening to withhold federal funding from states that don’t clean up their commercial driver’s license programs, the Trump Administration has been focused on making sure truck drivers meet English proficiency standards. California is the only state to lose funding so far with the federal government planning to withhold $160 million.

The DWP has confirmed new payment rates for State Pension and benefits from April 6, with 13 million pensioners receiving a 4.8% increase

The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) has confirmed the new weekly payment rates for individuals receiving the State Pension or benefits. Nearly 13 million elderly people on the State Pension will see payments increase by 4.8 per cent from April 6, whilst those on working age or disability benefits can anticipate a rise of 3.8 per cent.

The payment rates previously published on GOV.UK were in a ‘proposed’ state, implying they could have been altered before the commencement of the new financial year, however all rates have now been confirmed. The new Universal Credit Act 2025 will result in the Standard Allowance increasing by approximately £295 annually for a single person aged 25 or over and around £465 for couples, where one is aged 25 or over.

DWP figures released on Tuesday reveal that there are now 8.34 million people claiming Universal Credit. An estimated 23 million people across Great Britain are receiving at least one benefit – it’s crucial to note that the State Pension is categorised as a ‘contributory benefit’.

Additional State Pension payment components will rise by 3.8 per cent whilst the Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit will increase by 4.8 per cent – in line with the increase in average earnings. From April, it will be £238.00 a week for a single pensioner and £363.25 a week for a couple.

In England and Wales, Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) and other benefits to assist with additional needs arising from disability, as well as the rate of Carer’s Allowance, will also see a 3.8 per cent increase, reports the Daily Record.

It’s crucial to note that in Scotland, these are devolved matters and the annual uprating for all 17 benefits can be found here.

Those receiving devolved benefits such as Adult, Child or Pension Age Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment or Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance, will also experience a rise in payments by 3.8 per cent.

All social security, including State Pensions, is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland.

Annual uprating letters are dispatched to all claimants before the new payment rates commence in April, informing people about the changes – it’s important to keep this somewhere safe as it can often be used as proof of benefit entitlement when applying for other forms of financial support.

New DWP payment rates 2026/27

Weekly rates are displayed, unless otherwise stated and have been listed in alphabetical order to make it easier to find the payment relevant to your own situation.

A comprehensive breakdown of all benefits, including additional payments, the benefit cap and new deduction rates can be found on GOV.UK.

Attendance Allowance

• Higher rate: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Lower rate: £76.70 (from £73.90)

Carer’s Allowance

• April 2026 weekly payment rate: £86.45 (from £83.30)
• Weekly earnings threshold: £204.00 (from £196.00)

Disability Living Allowance

Daily Care component

• Highest: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Middle: £76.70 (from £73.90)
• Lowest: £30.30 (from £29.20)

Mobility component

• Higher: £77.05 (from £80.00)
• Lower: £30.30 (from £29.20)

Contributory and New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Single, under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• Single, 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
• Lone parent, under 18: £95.55 (from £72.90)
• Lone parent, over 18: £92.05 (from £92.05)
• Couple, both under 18: £75.65 from (72.90)
• Couple, both under 18 with child: £111.35 (from £110.15)
• Couple, both under 18 (main phase): £95.55 (from £92.05)
• Couple, both under 18 with child (main phase): £150.15 (from £144.65)
• Couple, both over 18: £150.15 (from £144.65)

Complete information on amounts for mixed age households and premiums can be found on GOV.UK.

Income Support

Comprehensive details on additional premiums by age and household circumstances can be found on GOV.UK.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Contribution-based JSA

• Under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)

Income-based JSA

• Under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• 25 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)

Lone parent

• Under 18: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• 18 or over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
• Couple, both under 18: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• Couple, both under 18 – higher rate: £114.35 (from £11.15)
• Couple, one under 18, one under 25: £75.65 (from £72.90)
• Couple, one under 18, one 25 and over: £95.55 (from £92.05)
• Couple, both 18 or over: £150.15 (from £144.65)

Complete information on amounts for mixed age households and premiums can be found on GOV.UK.

Maternity Allowance

• Standard rate: £194.32 (from £187.18)

Pension Credit

Standard minimum guarantee

• Single: £238.00 (from £227.10)
• Couple: £363.25 (from £346.60)

Additional amount for severe disability

• Single: £86.05 (from £82.90)
• Couple (one qualifies): £86.05 (from £82.90)
• Couple (both qualify): £172.10 (from £165.75)
• Additional amount for carers: £48.15 (from £46.40)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Daily Living component

• Enhanced: £114.60 (from £110.40)
• Standard: £76.70 (from £73.90)

Mobility component

• Enhanced: £80.00 (from £77.05)
• Standard: £30.30 (from £29.20)

State Pension

New State Pension

• Full rate: £241.30 (from £230.25)

Old/Basic State Pension

Complete details on Additional State Pension, Widows Pension, increments and Invalidity Allowance can be found on GOV.UK.

Universal Credit (monthly rates)

Single People

• Under 25: £338.58 (from £316.98)
• 25 or over: £424.90 (from £400.14)

Couples

• Joint claimants both under 25: £528.34 (from £497.55)
• Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £666.97 (from £628.10)

A comprehensive list of additional elements related to Universal Credit can be found on GOV.UK.

Coronation Street drops a major twist tonight, and it looks like Megan Walsh’s reign of control could finally be coming to an end.

For weeks, viewers have watched in horror as Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) grooms teen Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale), carefully manipulating him into believing they’re in a genuine relationship. Calm, calculated and always one step ahead, she’s worked hard to keep suspicions at bay, particularly from Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan), who has long sensed something isn’t right.

But tonight, the power dynamic shifts.

The drama begins when Sam unexpectedly lets himself into Megan’s house, claiming he’s come round to revise and that Leanne gave him a spare key. It’s a bold move, and it clearly rattles Megan.

Trying to maintain her composure, she sees herself out and tells Sam she’ll be back by 4 pm, but it’s obvious she’s unsettled by Sam’s unannounced visit. Megan seeks out Will at the precinct and tells him about the visit, painting it as alarming.

In a chilling moment, Megan suggests he play the ‘good cop’ to her ‘bad cop’, smoothing things over with Sam and keeping him onside. It’s classic manipulation, and once again, she appears confident that the situation is under control.

Will later tracks Sam down at the bistro and invites him to a gig, acting as though everything is perfectly normal. He even reassures Megan via text: “It’s sorted”.

As far as she’s concerned, crisis averted.

Except it isn’t.

In the episode’s closing moments, it’s revealed that Sam has secretly set up a camera inside Megan’s house.

The very teenager Megan has dismissed as naïve and easily intimidated has been quietly plotting to begin gathering evidence behind her back.

Until now, Megan has worked tirelessly to convince Sam that even if he did speak out about her and Will, nobody would believe him. She’s chipped away at his confidence, manipulated him through his grades and treated him as though he’s no threat.

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But she’s made one critical mistake: underestimating him.

Speaking previously about her character, Beth Nixon explained that Megan believes she’s always the smartest person in the room.

‘Everyone tells her how smart Sam is, but she thinks she’s smarter. She views him as just a kid and assumes she’s in total control,’ she said.

That sense of superiority has defined Megan’s behaviour. She’s stayed ‘cool as a cucumber’ while pulling strings behind the scenes, but tonight’s twist suggests her control may be slipping.

If Sam’s hidden camera captures what viewers suspect it will, Megan could finally be exposed. But given how ruthless she’s proven herself to be, it’s hard to imagine she’ll go quietly.

For the first time in this unsettling storyline, though, it feels like Megan isn’t the one calling the shots.

MORE: Evil Megan will ‘do anything’ in Coronation Street as she prepares ‘drastic measures’ to get rid of Sam

MORE: Coronation Street teen arrested as attack culprit is exposed

MORE: Coronation Street’s Sam catches predator Megan with Will on camera but he’s in danger

​The proposals for an overnight visitor levy have been backed by the county’s elected mayor, but hoteliers in Scarborough have urged David Skaith to listen to coastal organisations and ensure that any potential tax is “fair for everybody”.

​As the Government closed its consultation on the proposed overnight visitor levy, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has set out the next steps for a visitor levy in the region with a series of meetings with tourism and hospitality businesses.

​According to research into the rewards and risks of the levy by the North Yorkshire Policy Lab, an overnight tax could generate up to £52 million a year based on a £2 per person, per night charge.

​Lynn Jackson, vice president of the Scarborough Hospitality Association (SHA), said she is worried about the implementation of the scheme and how unregistered AirBnBs and holiday lets would be included.

​She added that in order for an overnight visitor levy to receive support from coastal businesses, there would need to be a commitment to ringfence the funds for hospitality.

​“It has to be properly ring-fenced, because often enough they say things are ring-fenced and then it gets used for roads or whatever they’ve decided is a more urgent need.

“We must have a say in how it’s used, and it has to be levied across the board,” said Ms Jackson, who also owns and runs a successful hotel in the town.

​In its response to the Government’s consultation, North Yorkshire Council highlighted concerns from the tourism industry about the proposed levy.

​Of the 277 responses to the council’s survey, 71 per cent were opposed to the idea, with 18 per cent in support and 11 per cent neutral.

York and North Yorkshire’s Mayor, David Skaith said that if the levy gets the green light following the consultation, he will hold a region-wide consultation before it is introduced.

​He said: “York and North Yorkshire is beautiful, with something for everyone. That’s why millions of people come to spend time here every year, it’s a success story for our region, with over 54,000 jobs, but it also adds a lot of pressure to local services.

“A visitor levy could be a total game changer for our region, it’s an opportunity to drive investment into our communities, and back businesses in our tourism and hospitality sectors with the support we all know we need, but nobody has the money for right now. We must get this right for our region, and that’s what I’m focussed on as we go through this process.”

Vice President of the SHA, Ms Jackson said: “The thing is, it has to be across the board. There are so many unregistered businesses and B&Bs, so how can you make sure that we’re all equal in this?

​”That’s the biggest issue that most of us have. If every business is taxed in the same way, then it’s fair.”

​Asked if she was worried about the cost of additional administration to collect the tax, she said: “Yes, definitely, it’s going to be a pain in the bum.”

​Opponents of the overnight levy have warned that the additional cost could put tourists off from visiting the region.

​Ms Jackson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I think anybody visiting Europe is already familiar with it, it’s a part of your holiday when you go abroad nowadays, so I don’t think for an awful lot of people it will make much difference.”

​However, she highlighted that hospitality businesses in the UK are “already paying more tax than they do abroad, we’re paying VAT at 20 per cent and in a lot of otherplaces across Europe, they’re paying 5 per cent VAT, so we’re already hammered.”

​In Spain, the standard VAT rate for hotel accommodation is 10 per cent, while hotels in Portugal’s autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores pay a rate of 4 per cent.

​Mr Skaith said: “I’m focussed on the people who live and work here and who feel the impact of millions of visitors. I’ll make sure that we prioritise the places and public services that feel the most pressure, without costing residents an extra penny.”

​