The drivers continue to hold licences despite accumulating the 12 penalty points that would normally see them banned, a situation described as “very concerning” by the RAC.

New figures obtained by the RAC via a Freedom of Information request to the DVLA reveal that 4,154 individuals in the UK have been permitted to keep driving.

Some of these drivers have racked up far more than 12 points; 117 hold more than 20, while two individuals have amassed 43 and 45 points.

7 Common Speed Camera Myths

Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said: “It’s very concerning that so many repeat speeders have been allowed to carry on driving despite amassing 12 points or more which would normally lead to them losing their licences – and for very good reason given that speeding is one of the leading factors in the most serious collisions on our roads.

“A better solution for people like this who have demonstrated a compelling need to the court to be allowed to continue driving would be for them to have devices fitted to their vehicles that prevent them speeding again.

“Our research also identifies strong support among drivers for those who speed excessively to have to have these devices.

“We urge the Government to consider giving courts the power to order repeat and excessive speeders to have Intervening ISA devices fitted to all their vehicles.

“This will save lives and reduce the number of speed-related collisions on our roads – something which completely aligns with the casualty reduction targets listed in the Road Safety Strategy.”

Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance (IISA) is a technology that physically prevents a vehicle from exceeding the speed limit, except in limited emergency override scenarios, which are logged and can be reviewed.

This is different from the Advisory ISA systems now standard in most new cars.

The RAC is backing the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign, which calls for courts to be given powers to mandate the use of IISA devices for repeat or excessive offenders.

Research conducted by the RAC in response to a government consultation found that 86 percent of drivers support new measures targeting excessive speeders.

A separate survey commissioned by the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign found that eight out of 10 drivers surveyed said they would support proposals for anyone caught excessively speeding, or who has been caught speeding multiple times, to have an ‘Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance’ device fitted to their car to prevent them exceeding the limit again.

While the Government’s Road Safety Strategy looks at the benefits of Advisory ISA in the context of vehicle safety technology, it makes no reference to the potential use of Intervening ISA as part of a targeted offender intervention programme for repeat or excessive speeders.

This is despite 2024 road casualty data showing excessive speed as a contributing factor in 20 percent of fatal collisions.

A spokesperson for the Stop Excessive Speeders campaign said: “Excessive speed remains one of the leading causes of death on our roads, and the public clearly recognises the need for action.

“What our research shows is that people instinctively understand the link between tackling dangerous driving and saving lives.

“Intervening Intelligent Speed Assistance is a practical, proportionate solution, targeting repeat offenders while allowing the vast majority of drivers to go about their daily lives without disruption.”

A Parliamentary event will be held later today to give MPs the chance to learn about the technology.

Currently, drivers who reach 12 or more points face an automatic ban but can sometimes avoid disqualification if they can show a ban would cause “exceptional hardship.”

It’s an uncertain time for Doctor Who fans now that it’s been officially announced that the long awaited Christmas special has been cancelled and showrunner Russell T Davies is on his way out.

Although it’s horrible that the show’s very future is on a knife-edge and its biggest champion, Russell, is exiting stage left – I can’t help but feel relieved that the British TV legend has bowed out. 

Not because I think he’s bad at his job – he’s an amazing showrunner – I think his talents are better used elsewhere.

And it’s all because of one show: Tip Toe.

For those who have their finger on the TV pulse, you won’t have missed Russell’s new groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Channel 4 show that aired at the end of May this year.

It has received widespread praise, with many hailing it as a timely and urgent reckoning on the rapidly declining state of LGBTQ+ rights in the UK today.

And it’s all thanks to Russell.

Starring Alan Cumming and David Morrissey, the series follows polar opposite neighbours – Leo, an older gay man and Clive, an aggressively heterosexual handyman – whose differences breed homophobia, bigotry, and hostility.

Although his socio-political commentary, especially when it comes to the trans community, is still a work-in-progress – it remains a startling wake-up call to the general public that we’re sleepwalking into a dark, dark world when it comes to achieving any unity in our rights.

And I’m not surprised it’s picking up such glowing reviews.

After ending his first round as Doctor Who showrunner in 2010, the TV icon known as RTD had a run of stellar limited series over the next decade or so.

His 2015 trilogy – Cucumber, Tofu and Banana – were edgy shows, which have gone down as cult classics, especially among LGBTQ+ viewers.

Then, you have his more mainstream work, still with gay and queer characters at their heart, such as A Very English Scandal starring Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, which secured an Emmy, Golden Globe and Bafta.

That’s not mentioning his harrowing drama Years and Years – a post-Brexit reckoning with the UK’s descent into fascism, which still rings out as an eerie prophecy for the state the world is in today, with the rise of Reform and reign of Trump.

Rounding off this brilliant line-up was It’s A Sin, already a beloved LGBTQ+ show that will break your heart while putting it back together again. It reflected on the HIV/AIDs crisis of the 1980s – an era Russell T Davies remembers well, as a gay man growing up in Thatcher’s UK.

As brilliant as his time on Doctor Who was, his return to the show in 2023 had not quite reached the heights many hoped. He faced a lot of criticism, ending in Ncuti’s abrupt departure and the scattered future of the show.

Where his storylines, dialogue and character-building at times fell flat in the past two seasons of Doctor Who, he doesn’t face the same extent of trouble when it comes to his limited series – which I now consider as his superior format.

This was proven when he released the Doctor Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea – and it was a standout in his Doctor Who repertoire, which tackled everything from climate change to forbidden love.

I personally loved it, and it marked a return to Russell’s brilliant writing, after finding himself in a difficult place.

Then, of course, we have Tip Toe. 

It’s veritable proof that Russell’s time is best spent working on bespoke ideas that speak to the era we’re in, rather than tying himself up with a show and a fandom that will be impossible to please.

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury are set to reveal the name they have settled on for their baby boy – but what will it be? Have your say here

There has been much speculation about the name Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury have chosen for their baby boy – but the Love Island star has warned fans they may be disappointed.

Molly-Mae and Tommy welcomed a baby boy earlier this month, a younger sibling to their first-born Bambi. There has been much discussion about what they plan to call their little one.

The couple plan to reveal all at Tommy’s boxing match this weekend. A source has claimed the couple feel like this is the perfect way to officially announce the youngster’s name.

Can’t see the poll here? Click here to vote.

“Now the little fella is here it’s a no-brainer – what better way to announce his name than on his dad’s boxing shorts,” a source said, “Molly is now obsessed with it – she’s hoping to be there. They’re working out the walk outs at the minute because that’s when it will be revealed, with music and blue fireworks – it will be cool.”

Molly-Mae has also been discussing the name with fans at length – but fears they’ll be disappointed.

Speaking about the name, she said: “I think people are going to be a bit disappointed. Upon reflection, I don’t actually think it’s that crazy, but I know people are going to pronounce it wrong.”

“Because when I’ve mentioned the name to a few people, or I’ve spelt it out, a few of my friends have said it completely wrong… absolutely not how you pronounce it. Also, I think, if you know this word, or you know the name, you would just pronounce it as it is.”

Molly-Mae also insisted it wasn’t as “different” as Bambi.

“It’s definitely not as different as Bambi, I would say,” she said, “But I’ve only ever heard one other child be called it, and it’s not someone in the public eye. It’s just someone I’m connected to through a friend.

“I just think it sounds so good with the surname Fury. That’s another reason why I love it so much.” According to reports it won’t be long until we find out what name they’ve gone for. So what name are you choosing?

Think you know what Molly-Mae and Tommy have called their baby boy? Click here to vote.

The outline application seeks permission to demolish the vacant glasshouses and commercial buildings and replace them with a new residential development in Ravensworth, between Richmond and Barnard Castle.

Ravensworth Nurseries shut in July 2023, with the owners blaming the financial toll of lockdown, soaring energy bills, and the cost-of-living crisis for the closure.

The application has been submitted on behalf of Andrew and Maria Henshaw, who own nearby Mainsgill Farm.

Planning documents describe the former nursery buildings as increasingly derelict and in a state of disrepair.

Developers say the scheme would provide a mix of housing types.

The masterplan for the proposed housing in Ravensworth.

The applicant has indicated support for the council’s requirement that 30 per cent of homes on major developments should be affordable, subject to viability assessments.

Although the site lies outside Ravensworth’s official development boundary, planning documents argue it is not isolated and forms part of an existing cluster of residential and commercial properties on the edge of the village.

The application also highlights the site’s proximity to local services, including the village primary school, pub, village hall and bus routes connecting Richmond and Barnard Castle.

The proposed development would include areas of open space, children’s play facilities and extensive landscaping.

More than 30 per cent of the site is expected to remain as managed green space, while plans also include a biodiversity net gain of more than 10 per cent through habitat creation, new planting and improvements to a watercourse running along the northern boundary.

A transport assessment submitted with the application concludes that the development would have only a negligible impact on traffic levels when compared with the site’s former commercial use.

The report estimates the scheme would generate just one additional two-way vehicle trip during morning peak hours and five additional trips during the evening peak.

Developers argue the scheme would help address a shortage of housing land, support local services and schools, improve biodiversity and bring a long-vacant brownfield-style site back into productive use.

As the application is in outline form, detailed matters such as house designs, layout and landscaping would be considered at a later stage if planning permission is granted.

Iron Hills Tattoo Co, based in Middlesbrough and run by Paul Watson, Danyell, Geoff Wharton, and Abi Flanagan, has quickly built a reputation for “quality and creativity”.

In October, Mr Watson’s work was recognised at the Ink on the Tees convention, and just six weeks ago, artist Chloe Gilkes-Bullock won three awards at the Big North Tattoo Show in Newcastle.

The studio’s success is already turning into momentum in a highly competitive industry.

Mr Wharton said: “Unlike all of us, there aren’t a massive amount of artists in the area who have more than a decade of technical experience.”

The studio’s name is inspired by both Teesside’s steel heritage and a fictional setting from The Lord of the Rings.

Its anvil logo is a tribute to the region’s industrial past and the wedding of Mr Watson and Danyell at Gretna Green. Both have matching anvil tattoos on their hands.

Mr Watson, 43, is no stranger to being tattooed himself.

He said: “I’ve got my back and stomach left really, and then just gaps. I don’t think I’d ever be done.

“Even if I was totally full, I’d just start getting ones over the top of the ones I’ve already got.”

Despite his passion, even he admits the process isn’t exactly comfortable.

He said: “I don’t think anybody enjoys getting tattooed and us artists are the worst.”

The studio has worked with a wide range of clients, including some unexpected fans.

Mr Watson’s oldest customer was a woman in her 90s who first had a Game of Thrones tattoo and then came back for more.

He said: “There was also a man in his 80s who got one on his leg and ended up getting a full leg sleeve.”

Tattoos, once mainly worn by sailors and aristocrats, are now seen on nearly a third of UK adults.

As the industry grows, so does the competition.

With more than 5,500 studios in England, Iron Hills has focused on standing out.

The studio has a wheelchair ramp and a disability toilet, welcomes neuro-divergent clients, and its artists are available seven days a week.

Mr Watson believes changing attitudes have helped propel the industry.

He said: “I think the industry’s changed and it’s more socially acceptable to be tattooed.

“It’s not so much of a rebellion now.”

Iron Hills Tattoo Co has already exceeded expectations.

Its location attracts plenty of passers-by, particularly students.

Danyell, the only member of the team not originally from Teesside, said: “We just really love being in Middlesbrough.

“We want some more small businesses around here to bring people in.

“The area’s dwindling in some places but coming up in others.”

The studio is one of several new businesses to open in and around the Dundas Shopping Centre.

Other recent arrivals include Bakeries Breadsticks and The Greek Spot, Teddy’s Boutique, Steel River Comics, Sarah’s Gifts, and the Hanger Shop.

Richard Wilson, a partner at Portland Dodds Brown, manages the centre and neighbouring shops.

He said: “These are challenging times for businesses, but we try to give them as much support as possible.

“It so good to see Iron Hills doing so well, not just with the awards but with the number of customers coming to the studio.

“Middlesbrough town centre has been badly affected by the closure of some big name shops, so it is so encouraging to see that a number of independent businesses have opened.

“I’m sure that’s the right path for Middlesbrough’s future.”

Bill Gates told members of Congress that Jeffrey Epstein used the billionaire philanthropist to “rehabilitate his reputation” and admits he “should never have met” the dead pedophile in the first place.

In Wednesday’s closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee, the Microsoft co-founder said the wealthy and well-connected sex offender tried to leverage explicit details about his personal life, including his extramarital affairs, to coerce Gates into working with him.

Epstein “sought to build an image of legitimacy around himself, using connections to reputable and powerful people to deflect scrutiny and attempt to rehabilitate his reputation,” said Gates, according to a copy of his statement provided to The Independent.

Gates told reporters that he hopes his interview is “helpful” to the long-running investigation into the dead pedophile and his alleged ties to a network of powerful abusers.

He said he is “glad to be here voluntarily to testify to help with the committee’s work.”

“I hope my testimony is helpful to the work, important work of the committee to find justice for the victims,” he said.

Gates, among the highest-profile figures speaking to the committee, was subpoenaed for testimony after the release of millions of documents stemming from Epstein investigations raised questions about the billionaire’s ties to the late sex offender.

Documents released by the Department of Justice included calendar entries and correspondence between Gates and Epstein, who were also photographed together.

Gates has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with his abuse.

“Due to public reporting, documents released by the Department of Justice, and documents obtained by the Committee, the Committee believes you have information that will assist in its investigation,” the committee’s Republican chair James Comer wrote in March.

A spokesperson for Gates told The Independent that he “welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee.”

“While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee’s questions to support their important work,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

In his opening remarks, Gates stressed that he “never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.”

“I never went to his island, his ranch, or his Florida home. I have never victimized anyone. While he may have sought to foster a personal relationship, I was never interested in that and never reciprocated,” he added.

Gates explained that he first met Epstein through people he trusted in his professional and philanthropic work in 2011 — three years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution in Florida. Gates

“I recall being aware that Epstein had faced prior legal issues, but I did not fully understand the extent of the crimes he committed,” Gates said. “I accepted the introduction without applying the scrutiny I should have.”

His interactions with Epstein were limited to a handful of meetings in 2011 and 2012 followed by “more extensive conversations” about charitable giving efforts in 2014 and 2014, according to Gates.

Gates ultimately determined that Epstein’s efforts to reel in potential donors to his foundation were a “dead-end,” he said.

“I told him we would go no further and stopped communicating or meeting with him,” Gates told the committee.

No funds were raised and “no vehicle for charitable giving was ever created,” and their interactions ended in 2014, according to Gates.

At the same time, one of Gates’s former employees “engaged” Epstein to discuss the terms of his separation from his office, which Gates “did not ask” nor “want or need” Epstein’s involvement, he said.

Epstein had also learned “sensitive information” about Gates’s personal life, “including the fact that I had been unfaithful in my marriage,” he told the committee.

“These affairs had nothing to do with my interactions with Epstein, but they were painful for my family,” he added. “As the public can now see, based on what has been released in the files, Epstein was working to use information about my infidelities — in addition to many lies that he layered on top — to pressure me to re-engage with him. He was unsuccessful in this effort, but it shows some of the ways he tried to leverage his interactions with me to further his agenda.”

Gates said he “should never have met with Epstein in the first place.”

“Based on what I know now, I understand that even if he had delivered the new donors he promised, it would not have justified associating with him,” he added.

“I was so focused on the possibility of raising funds for global health that I allowed that goal to override my better judgment,” he said. “That is a sobering realization, and it has reinforced for me the importance of being more attentive to how access and reputation can be manipulated by people acting in bad faith.”

Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.

Documents in the Justice Department’s so-called Epstein files include two draft emails that Epstein appeared to have written himself in 2013.

In those notes, he appears to claim that he facilitated sexual encounters for Gates and helped him obtain medication to hide a sexually transmitted infection from his wife.

Epstein appears to claim that he got medication for Gates “in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls” and “illicit trysts, with married women,” according to documents in the files.

Another draft message alleges Gates asked Epstein to delete messages referencing a sexually transmitted disease as well as explicit details about his penis.

Gates has strongly refuted the allegations.

Last week, the committee referred two men to the Justice Department for criminal prosecution after a survivor’s sexual assault allegations, marking the first such move after a series of interviews and congressional hearings with members of Donald Trump’s administration.

Epstein’s former assistant Lesley Groff testified on Tuesday, during which she claimed that she set up calls between her former boss and Trump, among other allegations.

Democrats on the committee have repeatedly urged testimony from the president, whose name appears thousands of times within the millions of documents released by the Justice Department. Trump socialized with Epstein throughout the 1990s and 2000s, and Epstein once described himself as the president’s “closest friend.”

Trump has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing, and one’s appearance in the Epstein files does not suggest otherwise. The president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and insists he cut ties with Epstein years before the wealthy pedophile was under investigation.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

The England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) investigation into the actions of Stokes and Atkinson is still ongoing.

An ECB statement said: “Given the ongoing investigation, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have not been made available for selection for the second Test against New Zealand.”

The Cricket Regulator is conducting a separate investigation, one that might not be concluded for a number of weeks.

Stokes, 35, has been given time by the ECB in order to consider his options. The governing body has denied any suggestion he has been asked to resign.

The episode is an unwanted controversy for the ECB following a dismal 4-1 Ashes tour of Australia that was dogged by off-field controversy.

The defeat of New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s looked to be a small step in the right direction, but now England will have to attempt to win the series without their captain and all-rounder, and a key pace bowler.

Though Stokes’ poor batting form has come under scrutiny, his all-round abilities are vital to balance the XI.

Atkinson, 28, endured a poor winter, yet looked back to somewhere near his best with seven wickets in the first Test.

The Surrey man has now surrendered his place in the England team on his home ground and his absence could mean a return for Archer, who missed the first Test following his stint at the Indian Premier League.

Depending on conditions, the best replacement for Stokes would be spin-bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, who is retained in the squad after missing out on the final XI at Lord’s.

It would be tough on Shoaib Bashir – the off-spinner was in the XI at Lord’s and was not required to bowl a ball. If Ahmed replaces Stokes, Bashir would then make way for England to field four specialist seamers.

If England decide to replace Stokes with a specialist batter, uncapped James Rew was in the squad for the first Test.

Essex’s Cox, 25, has been in a number of England Test squads but is yet to make an appearance. He was due to make his debut as wicketkeeper on the tour of New Zealand in 2024, only to suffer a broken thumb in the nets.

Root’s return to the captaincy is an indictment of the situation the ECB found themselves in.

It would have been difficult to have one captain, Stokes, unavailable for a nightclub incident, only to replace him with Brook, eight months on from his own nightclub misdemeanour.

Therefore Root will lead England at least once more, and perhaps even for the third Test at Trent Bridge a week later.

Root’s elevation could be a hint towards an expectation that Stokes will eventually return to the job.

If Brook had been made captain, there would have been the opportunity to demonstrate the Test team in his image, especially with Stokes’ playing powers appearing to be on the wane.

Instead, with Root named as interim captain, there looks to be a path for Stokes to return if he desires.

If the all-rounder misses the remaining Tests against New Zealand, his comeback could be for the three-Test series against Pakistan in August.

Earlier on Wednesday, ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan said Stokes should not lose his job as captain.

“Yes, Ben Stokes broke a curfew. Yes, he made a mistake. But is that a sacking offence as England’s Test captain? I don’t think so,” Vaughan wrote in the Telegraph.

“The ECB has to be brave enough and strong enough to do what it thinks is right. If that is to sack him then fine, but I do not agree with that decision on this issue.”