The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published new figures showing £9.9 billion was lost to benefit fraud and payment errors in the financial year ending 2026, according to official DWP data.

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released new data revealing that billions of pounds were incorrectly distributed across the benefits system last year. The latest Fraud and Error in the Benefit System report estimates 3.2 per cent of benefit expenditure was overpaid in the financial year ending 2026, equivalent to £9.9 billion.

A further 0.4 per cent was underpaid, worth £1.2bn. The DWP stated that underpayments featured in the report occur as a result of official error, including mistakes or delays by the department, a local authority or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The DWP distributes benefits to approximately 24.3 million people, with total benefit expenditure reaching £308.6bn in the financial year ending 2026, up from £286.6bn the previous year.

The DWP noted that overpayments arise due to fraud, claimant error and official error. Fraud accounted for £6.8bn of overpayments, claimant error for £2bn, and official error for £1.1bn.

The net loss from overpayments, following recoveries, stood at £8.6bn. The DWP confirmed that £0.6bn of Universal Credit, £0.2bn of other DWP benefits and £0.4bn of Housing Benefit was recovered throughout the year, reports the Daily Record.

The report draws on a sample of benefit claims scrutinised for accuracy by a specialist team. The claims were sampled between September 2024 and October 2025.

The data highlights varying concerns across different benefits. Universal Credit continues to be the largest source of overpayments in monetary terms, Pension Credit has the highest overpayment rate as a proportion of expenditure, and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) saw a statistically significant increase in overpayments.

State Pension maintains the lowest overpayment rate, though underpayments remain substantial due to the magnitude of expenditure and persistent National Insurance record problems.

Universal Credit continued to be the primary contributor to overpayments in cash terms. The DWP calculated that 8.5 per cent of Universal Credit expenditure was overpaid in the financial year ending 2026, amounting to £6.72bn. This represented a decrease from 9.5 per cent the previous year, though DWP noted the change was not statistically significant.

Universal Credit expenditure rose from £65.3bn to £79.2bn, meaning monetary figures cannot be directly compared across the two years. The report revealed that 24 in every 100 Universal Credit claims were either overpaid or underpaid, while 21 in every 100 were overpaid.

Fraud represented £5.42bn of Universal Credit overpayments, with claimant error accounting for £690m and official error representing £610m. The primary drivers of Universal Credit fraud overpayments were earnings and employment, living together rules and capital, which collectively accounted for more than £6 in every £10 overpaid through fraud.

The report indicated that earnings and employment fraud, including under-declaration of income from work, declined from 2.2 per cent to 1.5 per cent. Universal Credit underpayments were estimated at 0.4 per cent, valued at £350m.

State Pension represented the largest expenditure of any DWP benefit at £146.1bn, comprising just under half of total benefit spending. The State Pension overpayment rate stood at 0.2 per cent, valued at £230m. DWP stated this is consistently the lowest overpayment rate across all DWP benefits.

State Pension underpayments remained at 0.3 per cent, valued at £390m. According to the report, National Insurance contribution errors continued to be the primary cause of State Pension underpayments, with problems surrounding historic Home Responsibilities Protection accounting for £6 in every £10 underpaid due to contribution errors.

Home Responsibilities Protection operated between 1978 and 2010 to safeguard the State Pension entitlement of individuals with domestic caring responsibilities.

Pension Credit recorded the highest overpayment rate relative to spending for the second consecutive year. The overpayment rate reached 10 per cent, valued at £620m, compared with 10.3 per cent, valued at £610m, the previous year.

The proportion of Pension Credit claims overpaid rose from 28 in 100 to 33 in 100. DWP indicated this was statistically significant and represented the third successive year that Pension Credit had the highest proportion of claims being overpaid.

Nevertheless, the report noted most Pension Credit overpayments were relatively modest, with more than half of overpaid claims involving less than £10 per week. Capital and abroad rules remained the two principal causes of Pension Credit overpayments, collectively accounting for more than £5 in every £10 overpaid. Claimant error linked to capital rose from 1.8 per cent to 2.5 per cent.

Pension Credit underpayments were estimated at 1.3 per cent, worth £80m. The primary cause was official error involving additional amounts, predominantly linked to unpaid Extra Amount for Severe Disability.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment saw one of the most significant shifts in this year’s report. The PIP overpayment rate increased to 2.3 per cent, worth £660m, from 1.3 per cent, worth £330m, the previous year. The DWP described this as a statistically significant rise. The proportion of PIP claims overpaid also climbed from one in 100 to three in 100.

Functional needs, where claimants failed to report an improvement in their needs, remained the leading cause of PIP overpayments, accounting for more than £7 in every £10 overpaid on PIP. Fraud was the primary driver behind the increase. PIP fraud overpayments rose to 1.4 per cent, worth £410m, from 0.4 per cent, worth £100m.

However, the report also highlights a separate “Not Reasonably Expected To Know” category. These are cases where a claimant was incorrectly overpaid, but the DWP stated they would not reasonably be expected to know they needed to report the change.

The value of PIP cases excluded from overpayment estimates under this category increased to £1.03bn, up from £500m the previous year. PIP underpayments remained at 0.2 per cent, worth £70m. All PIP underpayments in the report were due to award determination, meaning an incorrect decision on entitlement by DWP.

Housing Benefit overpayments fell significantly. The overpayment rate dropped to 6.2 per cent, worth £800m, from 7.2 per cent, worth £1.1bn, the previous year. The proportion of Housing Benefit claims overpaid also fell from 17 in 100 to 15 in 100.

DWP attributed the decline primarily to reductions in pension age Housing Benefit overpayments, including non-passported pension age claims. Capital, meaning under declaration of financial assets, remained the principal cause of Housing Benefit overpayments, accounting for more than £4 in every £10 overpaid. Housing Benefit underpayments were estimated at 0.3 per cent, worth £40m.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) incorrectness increased from four in 100 claims to nine in 100 claims compared with when it was last measured in the financial year ending 2024. The DLA overpayment rate was 0.9 per cent, worth £70m, while underpayments rose to 2.3 per cent, worth £190m. DWP confirmed that all DLA underpayments recorded in this year’s report were the result of award determination.

Cambridge Leisure Park is currently up for sale and could be redeveloped by new owners

People are divided over plans to potentially redevelop the Cambridge Leisure Park. Some have said that it would cause “chaos” for local businesses while others say it would “inevitably attract people”.

Cambridge Leisure Park is up for sale and could be redeveloped with new offices, labs, retail, and leisure opportunities. It currently hosts a hotel, car park, restaurants, cinema, and bowling alley.

According to a sales brochure by real estate company JLL, it is the city’s “only multiplex and drive-to leisure destination”. A proposed masterplan shows how the 8.4-acre site could be redeveloped.

The brochure explained: “The proposed master plan would comprise of massing ranges from 2 stories to 10 storeys. These buildings would comprise a mixed-use estate for Office, Lab, Retail, F&B, the Junction, Creative Workspace, Leisure, Car Parking and Energy centre.”

This includes a “new sustainable home” for the Cambridge Junction, which hosts a variety of events. The repurposing opportunities also suggest that a “big box retail warehouse space” could be explored to draw in shops like M&S, TK Maxx, Next, and Superdrug.

CambridgeshireLive went to the leisure park to speak with locals about their thoughts on the potential plans. Ishwar Bankar, 28, who works at Pizza 1889, said: “We have offices here but adding more offices, I think it will affect the hospitality.”

Ishwar said business is regularly brought in to Pizza 1889 from Cambridge Junction and he believes that if the Junction moves, even within the site, the “visibility of small businesses would be less”. He is concerned about the impact this could have on businesses.

The site currently has a 611 space multi-storey car park but the proposed plan has 145 spaces. Cambridge City Council is the freehold owner of the site and Land Securities is the leaseholder.

Ishwar believes that one of the main aspects of coming out is spending time with family. The “main concern” is that if parking is reduced, he “would lose on lots of customers because they would then go to other places like the city centre where there are more spaces, so that would affect us as well”.

Anish Bakrania, 21, is a student from Cambridge. He said that it “sounds like a good idea” and that “if there’s space” it could work well.

He believes that there is “definitely better ways to use the space” but if it will “attract more investment and more businesses coming here”, change could have a positive impact. He added: “I think having offices and labs will inevitably attract people and will bring more business here.”

Abi Thk, 39, said that more offices and labs would not be a good idea. The 39-year-old added: “The reason is that if you look at this place [Cambridge Leisure] it is a very open place. People hang around here. It’s not only about coming to these restaurants or for bowling, but it gives a lot of space, and especially in the summer this place becomes energetic.

“So, if offices get built here, there will be change. It will be more of a corporate vibe which I would not say is a good thing. So, my suggestion would be not to have offices here. We have offices already, just opposite the [railway] station and I think that would be the perfect place but not somewhere where people come to enjoy.”

When describing the potential parking space changes, Abi said that Cambridge has a range of companies and businesses nearby who would most likely park their car on site, so to “reduce the number of car parking, again, it would be chaos”.

Ar Julius, 33, lives in Cambridge. He said that at the moment he does not have any problem with parking, and said “it is really good” but “that could all change” if anything happens at the leisure park.

The 33-year-old continued: “If they put offices here, people might need even more parking spaces, and if they lessen the spaces, that could be a problem.”

Kenette Zuluete, 35, believes “there is pros and cons” to the possible plans and that “if they bring more work here, the cost of living will rise”. However, Kenette said it could also be an “opportunity” for many people to find work.

Dog fouling in public places is a criminal offence and councils have more powers than you think

Dog mess left near houses, footpaths and communal areas remains among the most commonly reported neighbourhood grievances throughout Britain. What starts as a minor irritation can quickly develop into an official complaint when it continues or impacts public spaces used by local residents.

Based on official government guidance, allowing dogs to foul in public locations constitutes a criminal offence, with local authorities empowered to issue Fixed Penalty Notices or pursue prosecutions through the courts. In particularly severe instances, penalties can reach as high as £1,000 depending on the situation.

Westminster City Council, for example, confirms dog owners have a legal duty to clear up their pet’s mess straight away from pavements, parks and shared ground. The authority warns that neglecting this obligation can lead to a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice, whether the breach was intentional or accidental.

The legislation is enforced via the Environmental Protection Act 1990 alongside local Public Space Protection Orders, which enable councils to control conduct in specified public locations. Harborough District Council outlines that PSPOs can broaden enforcement capabilities throughout parks, residential estates and communal pathways where repeated issues occur.

Local authorities further emphasise that liability rests with whoever has control of the dog at that moment, not exclusively the registered owner. Gateshead Council confirms that dog walkers, relatives or acquaintances can equally be penalised if they fail to clean up after the animal.

While the bulk of regulations apply to public spaces, persistent dog fouling close to private homes can still be examined if it affects residents’ quality of life. Scottish Borders Council maintains that dog waste can contain harmful bacteria and parasites, meaning continuing issues may lead to health and hygiene concerns.

In numerous cases, councils encourage neighbours to try settling disputes informally before taking matters further. Wigan Council recommends residents keep a record of repeated incidents, noting dates and locations, should informal conversations fail to resolve the problem.

Local authorities indicate this evidence can become vital if the situation advances to enforcement measures. Bury Council clarifies that Fixed Penalty Notices are most frequently issued when offences are directly witnessed by officers or backed by compelling evidence from complaints.

Specialists say neighbour rows involving dog mess are typically resolved before reaching court, especially when early communication is possible. Nevertheless, councils do retain the authority to increase enforcement where the conduct continues or becomes a repeated nuisance impacting the local area.

In some instances, wider Public Space Protection Orders may also introduce additional restrictions in certain neighbourhoods, including designated dog control zones. These can include requirements such as carrying waste bags or keeping dogs on leads in specific areas. Local authorities stress that preventing issues is better than taking enforcement action, with many encouraging residents to speak directly with their neighbours before making an official complaint. That said, if this approach fails, the legal system does allow councils to step in and take suitable measures.

A new Netflix documentary reveals the dark truth behind a horrific 100mph car crash that ended two lives. The driver, Mackenzie Shirilla, is languishing in jail after being found guilty of murder

When detectives combed through the wreckage of a horrific car crash, what first appeared to be a tragic accident soon began to look like a calculated crime.

Three people were in the vehicle when it ploughed into a brick building at 100mph. Two lost their lives. Mackenzie Shirilla, the 17-year-old driver, was the sole survivor.

In the early hours of July 31, 2002, Mackenize was driving home from a party with her boyfriend Dominic Russo and his friend Davion Flanagan in tow. Just minutes after getting behind the wheel of her 2018 Toyota Camry, she rammed into the building with chilling ferocity.

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Russo and Flanagan were tragically declared dead at the scene in Strongsville, Ohio, while Shirilla was seriously injured. Prosecutors argued during a 2023 trial that she intentionally crashed the car as she was ‘on a mission’ to kill Russo. She claimed to have no recollection of the moments before her car hit the wall.

Now, Netflix has released a gripping new true crime documentary, titled The Crash, which takes a deep dive into “the volatile relationship at the centre, examining the shifting narratives of that fateful night to explore where a fatal mistake ends and cold-blooded murder begins”.

But where is Mackenzie Shirilla now? Here’s everything we know about the killer…

Toxic relationship with Dominic Russo

At the time of the crash, Shirilla and Russo had been dating on-and-off for around four years after first meeting at school. They had moved in together towards the end of 2021.

In the months leading up to the tragic crash, Russo’s mother, Christine, said the couple were on the rocks, often fighting and making threats towards one another, Ohio Supreme Court documents show.

She said the relationship has been ‘strained’ for some six months, and that she witnessed “fighting,” “arguments,” “disagreements,” “breakups” and “threats” and believed that Shirilla became “more possessive” of her son.

The night of the crash

In the hours before the crash, Shirilla, Russo and Flanagan attended several parties, including a gathering at their friend Paul Burlinghaus’ home. According to his testimony, the group arrived around 11 pm, and listened to music while some people smoked marijuana. Burlinghaus testified that “everything seemed fine” between Shirilla and Russo.

He said he went to sleep around midnight, the group continued to hang out. According to data from a phone app, Shirilla, Russo and Flanagan left the house around 5:30 am.

Minutes after setting off, Shirilla inexplicably sped up, and the trio were involved in a high-speed car wreck when the car crashed into a brick building. It would be 45 minutes before a passerby came across the site and called 911, People reports. Russo and Flanagan were pronounced dead on the scene. Shirilla was found unconscious and not breathing, and was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Chilling online tribute

After the crash, Shirilla chillingly paid tribute to boyfriend Russo online, writing that he was “the last person to deserve this.” “You had such a perfect life ahead of you,” she wrote on his obituary page, where she shared photos of the pair together. “I miss your laugh, your perfect smile. I feel your energy around me everyday. I just wish it was physical.”

But behind the scenes, an investigation was underway with officials interviewing those close to Shirilla and Russo. She was arrested on November 4, 2022, shortly after being discharged from hospital, and charged with multiple crimes, including murder, felonious assault, and aggravated vehicular homicide.

The trial

Shirilla’s case went to trial in 2023, where prosecutors accused her of intentionally crashing her car to kill Russo and end their tumultuous relationship, stating that she had purposefully driven towards the wall of the brick building at upwards of 100 mph.

Shirilla claimed to have no recollection of the moments before her car hit the wall. But, based on the car’s event data recorder, forensic mechanical expert Mark Sargent concluded that the accelerator pedal was fully depressed – with no application of the brake – just seconds before the collision. It meant that Shirilla’s foot was on the accelerator when the crash occurred; her Prada slipper was still trapped between the pedal and the floor mat when the crash was discovered.

It was also shown that in the seconds before the crash, the car took a hard right turn. It’s not known whether this was Shirilla, or a passenger grabbing the wheel in an attempt to take control of the vehicle.

Sargent concluded that there was “no indication of any precrash mechanical or electrical failure that may have caused a loss of accelerator control, a loss of braking or a loss in the ability to steer the vehicle”.

The trial also heard that Shirilla was under the influence of marijuana and was in possession of the psychedelic mushroom psilocybin at the time of the crash.

Detective Zaki Hazou also uncovered over a hundred instances of what he called distracted or reckless driving on Shirilla’s social media accounts, including driving while smoking, People reports. Prior to her arrest, she posted a shocking photo on TikTok that boasted, “I’m just one of those girls that can do a lot of drugs and not die.”

The verdict

In August 2023, Shirilla was found guilty on four counts of felonious assault and two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide. She broke down in tears as the judge called her “literal hell on wheels.”

“This was not reckless driving — this was murder,” Cuyahoga County Judge Nancy Margaret Russo said in court. “She had a mission, and she executed it with precision. The decision was death.”

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Shirilla was sentenced to 15 years to life. As of March 2026, the Eighth District Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a new trial for Shirilla, confirming she will continue serving her 15-years-to-life sentence for the 2022 double-murder conviction. The appeal was rejected because her legal team filed the motion one day late, preventing the court from reviewing the new evidence.

Where is Mackenzie Shirilla now?

Shirilla is incarcerated at the Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) in Marysville, Ohio. She is serving a sentence of 15 years-to-life for the 2022 murders, with her first parole hearing scheduled for September 2037.

Ryedale Community & Leisure Centre (RCLC), in Norton, needs a caterer or chef to take over the running of its restaurant facilities.

Following the retirement of its current function suite operator, Julie Copeland, the committee is looking for someone new to take on the catering side of the RCLC.

Based in Bowling Lane, Norton, RCLC is a charity, incorporating a five-lane bowling area with over 300 members, along with the thriving Brooklyn Nursery and dance school Dance Expression, that offers dance and exercise classes for all ages.

Chair of the RCLC a management committee, Ray King, said: “We want to thank Julie for the fine work managing the clubs catering facilities and we all wish her a very happy retirement.

“Moving forward we are now looking for an active and enthusiastic operator to run our function suite, which is made up of a 120 seat restaurant, a dance area and features good bar facilities along with easy parking in our large carpark.

“We firmly believe that this is an excellent business opportunity for the right person, be they a chef or caterer. The RCLC committee would also consider an Outside caterer should they be looking for premises to operate out of.

For initial enquiries and to arrange an informal chat, anyone interested in this exciting opportunity can email – RCLCadmin@gmail.com

At 11am on Thursday 15 May, a new British airline is due to make its maiden flight. A giant Airbus A380 plane in the colours of Global Airlines will lift off from Glasgow airport in Scotland, destination New York JFK.

The founder has pledged to “take passengers back to the Golden Age of Travel, reinvigorating the onboard experience with elevated service”. But plans for a five-cabin aircraft, including a new “gamer class”, have been dropped.

The promised regular scheduled links across the Atlantic are very much on hold. After a transatlantic round trip from Glasgow and a second this month from Manchester, no other flights are currently on offer.

So what is the story behind Global Airlines – and what are the chances of success? These are the key questions and answers.

What’s the big idea?

The key word is “big”. Global Airlines will be using the double-deck A380 – the world’s largest passenger plane – across the North Atlantic between the UK and US. The founder, James Asquith, 36, promises a new era of flying, saying: “People are sick and tired of the service they get on current airlines. We will be better.”

He says he is “constantly bewildered and disappointed by the poor experiences he has encountered aboard hundreds of commercial flights”. Passengers on his airline will enjoy “the best experience in the sky” and get “fast relief from the aches and pains associated with commercial air travel”.

In 2013, Mr Asquith became the youngest person to travel to every country in the world, aged 24. He spent eight years working in investment banking, and founded the Holiday Swap website – which is funding the Global Airlines project along with private investors.

What’s the plane?

Global Airlines owns two European-built Airbus A380s. The one that is serviceable is 12 years old, with one previous operator, China Southern. The other, a 16-year-old SuperJumbo formerly flown by Singapore Airlines, is still stored at Lourdes in southwest France.

The launch aircraft is operated by the Maltese subsidiary of a Portuguese carrier, Hi Fly, and has the registration 9H-GLOBL.

The plane has the same three-class seating configuration as it did when China Southern flew it between Guangzhou and Los Angeles, Amsterdam and Sydney. In its “LOPA” (layout of passenger accommodation). Global Airlines is more economy-heavy than British Airways, and can therefore accommodate more passengers. I have compared Global Airlines with the BA A380 LOPA:

“Gamer class”, which was to be located and priced between business and premium economy, does not feature on the Global Airlines aircraft.

As with British Airways, some economy passengers are able to travel on the upper deck; 76 cheap seats are up top, with 352 on the main (lower) deck.

How much does it cost?

I paid the full economy fare of £778 return, but already prices have been halved to £380 try to fill the first departures. You can get this fare through ga.flights with the code GLOBAL380 or in business class for £1,999 return with the code GLOBAL1999. That also applies for the second round-trip, from Manchester to New York and back (21-25 May).

Is this like the launch of Virgin Atlantic?

James Asquith has been compared with Richard Branson. And The Global Airlines debut has some similarities to the bearded entrepreneur’s launch of a single Boeing 747 from Newark to in June 1984: the founder is a rich and successful young man in his mid-30s vowing to improve the passenger experience on transatlantic flights using the largest available secondhand plane.

But there are some important differences.

Virgin Atlantic flights were for sale direct from the airline by phone, through travel agents and even at Virgin Records stores (they were big in the 20th century). From day one, Virgin Atlantic had a scheduled operation between London Gatwick and New York Newark. You could stay in the US for a day or a month, or simply fly one way.

Global Airlines has only four transatlantic flights planned. These are fixed-duration charters bookable through a Slough-based travel agent called Travelopedia. The flights are operated by the Maltese subsidiary of a Portuguese airline, Hi Fly.

The new carrier has promised scheduled flights from London Gatwick to the US, but does not have the necessary permits or slots.

Doesn’t everyone love the A380?

The A380 is a passenger favourite. Many people prefer it because of the sense of space. The main deck economy cabin is a couple of feet wider than the Boeing 777 – which makes a lot of difference with a 10-abreast configuration.

The double-deck jet was devised to make the most of limited slots (particularly at London Heathrow) and to offer airlines lower costs for “hub and spoke” operations. It is used assiduously for this latter purpose by Emirates – which has almost half of the total production run of 251 aircraft. (For comparison, the Boeing 747 Jumbo sold over six times more during its much longer production run.)

Global Airlines plans to use the aircraft on the London-New York run, the world’s most lucrative intercontinental air route. The only time it has ever been served by an A380 was briefly before Covid when Norwegian chartered one from Hi Fly to cover for unserviceable Boeing 787s. (That aircraft was actually the non-flying A380 now owned by Global Airlines.)

The evidence is that high-spending business passengers value frequency over aircraft type. On the day of the Global Airlines launch, British Airways – just one of five airlines competing from London to New York JFK – has eight departures from Heathrow plus one from Gatwick. BA has never flown its A380 on the route.

What do others say?

The mainstream aviation community is sceptical about the prospects of success for Global Airlines. The start-up is seeking to fill a very large aircraft – with high costs of fuel, crew and maintenance – in a crowded market where existing “legacy” carriers have strong loyalty programmes and networks offering connections.

What does the founder say?

After flying some passengers from Barcelona to Berlin and onwards to London Gatwick, Mr Asquith posted on social media about what he called “lots of unfounded, baseless and negative speculative commentary written by people who I think should feel ashamed”.

He said: “Lots of colleagues and partners are working their asses off, and when their family and friends read the nasty and offensive comments from anonymous keyboard warriors claiming that our company was ‘made up’ or a scam at the start, it cuts deep. We have proven over and over again that this is not true.

“Like anyone, we of course make mistakes. Nothing is perfect in any new venture, but even more so in aviation. We do not always have all the answers and we cannot always explain everything as it happens don’t think anyone will ever fully appreciate just how complex and fast-moving this has all been over the last two years.

“Global started out as a vision; an ambition to make a change. It quickly became a reality due to huge perseverance and effort from our brilliant home team and many partners along the way. We wanted to create some competition, create jobs and a better product backed by passion.

“Everyone seems to love our aircraft, and couldn’t be happier. We are just a team of people trying so hard to deliver a dream that will ultimately be hugely positive.”

How much has the project cost?

Global Airlines is not saying, but it is fair to say tens of millions of pounds have been invested in the enterprise so far. James Asquith told The Independent: “I’ve sold and risked everything to be in the position I’m at. I’m putting everything on the line.”

Liverpool and Aston Villa are due to meet in the Premier League this week and there has been transfer history between the rival clubs

Former Liverpool striker Milan Baros left Anfield in 2005 in search of regular football but later admitted it was a mistake to move on. The Czech international moved to Aston Villa but things didn’t work out for him and he was on the move again less than two years later.

Baros’ former clubs are due to face off on Friday with a top four finish at stake. Victory for either side would be enough to make sure of Champions League qualification but a defeat could yet open the door for Bournemouth or Brighton.

Liverpool finished fifth in Baros’ last full season at the club but their famous Champions League triumph in Istanbul saw them return to the top table of European football. The striker himself wasn’t involved, though, failing to make it onto the pitch during three qualifying rounds and joining Villa before the Reds’ first group stage game.

“At that age, I wish I had fought a little bit more to stay in Liverpool and try to get fit,” Baros told the ECHO in 2022. “At that time, I decided to leave because I wanted to play more. In the end, I know it was a mistake.

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“I was told I was going to be the third-choice striker. There are a lot of games and a lot of injuries in a season, so I should have fought more for the place and to stay longer. I could have stayed, but I decided to go because I wanted to play more. That was the decision. In the end, you never know what can happen.

“It was strange because after leaving I was playing against a team I had been part of for four years. It is never easy, but you always find the bigger motivation for the previous club if you play against them. I enjoyed those games, but I think I only did it a couple of times.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Baros scored the winner on his home debut for Villa as they beat Blackburn and grabbed 12 goals in all competitions in his first season with the club. However, he struggled after Martin O’Neill arrived in the summer of 2006 and left the following January in a swap deal which saw John Carew move to Villa Park.

He won two league titles with Lyon and also became an FA Cup winner during a loan spell at Portsmouth in 2008. He then had spells in Turkey and his native Czech Republic, continuing to play top-flight football until his retirement in 2020 at the age of 38.

Liverpool didn’t sign an immediate replacement for Baros in August 2005 but did bring club legend Robbie Fowler back to Anfield the following January. The English striker’s five league goals helped secure another year of Champions League football under Rafa Benitez after a third-place finish, while Baros and Villa finished down in 16th.

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Defending champion Luke Humphries beat Gerwyn Price to win his first night of the Premier League season, but the pair both sealed play-off spots in Birmingham.

Humphries, who was in his third successive night final, overcame the Welshman 6-4 after an impressive 6-0 win over Stephen Bunting and 6-3 comeback win over Luke Littler.

The 31-year-old was in imperious form, averaging 107 and 111, before another 100-plus average in the final.

It guarantees a place at finals night on 28 May for the third successive year and rounds off a remarkable few weeks for the world number two.

After week 10, Humphries sat seventh in the eight-player table and, before his run to the week 13 final, he was five points off fourth.

He is now guaranteed to finish at least fourth and goes into the final league phase night in Sheffield on 21 May equal on points with third-placed Price.

The pair join Littler and Jonny Clayton, who had secured their places after week 12 in Liverpool.

“It’s been a struggle this year,” Humphries told Sky Sports.

“I worked incredibly hard, I changed back to my old flights and it worked. I’m proud of myself.

“It’s easy when you’re winning, but it shows true grit to come from my position to then get through and win it tonight.

“I’m just incredibly proud of myself. Probably the most proud I’ve been in my life.”

Aimed at delivering more sustainable care, the trial will test the vehicle’s performance during live patient journeys and everyday scheduled operations.

Barry Dews, head of patient transport at NEAS, said: “This is an exciting step forward in modernising our Patient Transport Service fleet and understanding how electric vehicles can support both our patients and our people.

“A dedicated group of trained colleagues will operate the vehicle throughout the trial, supported by familiarisation, refresher driver training and clear operational guidance, so patient safety is always our priority.

“By testing the vehicle across different journey types and distances, we’ll gather valuable insight to help shape future fleet decisions, improve patient journeys and support a more sustainable ambulance service for the future.”

The electric Renault Master stretcher vehicle will operate as a core part of the patient transport service in the coming months.

The trial will test the vehicle’s performance during live patient journeys and everyday scheduled operations (Image: North East Ambulance Service)

Designed to improve patient comfort, it offers a quieter and smoother journey with capacity for one stretcher patient and three seated passengers.

It also features a ramp and winch system to ensure accessibility and safety for patients with varying mobility needs.

Andrew Williams, patient transport operations manager, said: “The vehicle has been designed to meet a wide range of patient needs while also improving safety for staff, with features such as a ramp and winch system.

“Having this flexibility is important for patient transport and allows us to safely and comfortably support patients with differing mobility and care requirements day to day.”

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The electric vehicle trial is part of NEAS’s broader effort to cut emissions and support the NHS Net Zero Travel and Transport Strategy, without compromising patient care.

The trust is also testing electric emergency ambulances and cars as part of its sustainability programme.

Further details of NEAS’s sustainability plans are available at neas.nhs.uk.