Parents of children aged two and three are being urged to book them in for a nasal flu vaccine.
NHS England will contact more than a million parents and carers from Tuesday to tell them the nasal spray vaccine is available.
Children are usually given the flu vaccine through a quick and painless spray up the nose.
But anyone who cannot have porcine gelatine in medical products is offered an injection instead.
Schoolchildren and other groups such as pregnant women, older people and those with health conditions will be able to get a vaccine ahead of winter, when cases spike.
Flu tends to peak in December and January and people are advised to have a vaccine before then.
It can be serious and can lead to hospital admission, even in young children.
Last year some 2,478 patients were in hospital with flu each day during the peak of winter flu cases, 2.5 times higher than the previous year, NHS England said.
It said Australia’s flu season, which normally predicts how seasonal viruses will affect England in winter, has seen a big wave of COVID-19 infections alongside a rise in flu and other winter illnesses.
In the current phase, pregnant women and children aged two or three as of 31 August this year can have a flu vaccine, alongside all schoolchildren and any youngster in a clinical risk group.
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From next month, vaccines will be rolled out to anyone in England aged 65 and over, those aged 18 to 65 in clinical risk groups, and those in care homes. Online bookings open on 23 September.
People such as carers in receipt of carer’s allowance and those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person can get a vaccine on the NHS, as can those who are close contacts of immunocompromised people.
Other eligible groups include NHS workers and carers working in care homes.
Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “The flu vaccine is our best defence against these winter viruses, as well as helping to reduce pressure in hospitals over the winter period as demand increases.
“The flu virus puts thousands of people in hospital each year and vaccinations help us to keep more people well so I would urge everyone eligible to book their jabs when they become available, to protect themselves and people around them.”
Three young children are missing after a day out at Thorpe Park, police have said.
Officers are looking for for Khandi, 14, Amelia, nine, and Malik, seven, who were reported missing just after 7pm on Monday.
All three were last seen walking towards Staines town centre around 3.17pm and police said it is believed they may have travelled to London.
Khandi is described as a black female of slim build and 160cm tall.
She was wearing grey jogging bottoms, a white top, white trainers, black framed glasses and several bracelets on each wrist.
Amelia, described as European and female, is 110cm tall, slim, with grey jogging bottoms, grey long-sleeved top with the word Believe written on it and white trainers.
Malik is said to be a European male and the same height as Amelia.
He’s described as slim and was wearing black jogging bottoms, black trainers and a green long-sleeved top with stripes.
Amelia and Malik are related, police have said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey Police.
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The sun rising every day is a moment that will always stick in the back of the throat of Harvey’s mum.
Her 17-year-old son was killed in a crash in Gwynedd last November, and now a daily occurrence has become a constant reminder of her loss.
“Harvey in his diary wrote that he was looking forward to the summer, spending more time with his family and friends,” Crystal Owen told Sky News.
“As soon as the sun comes out, you’re just in tears because you think he’s never going to see the sun again. It’s just all the little things that you don’t even think about.”
Harvey was one of four teenagers from the Shrewsbury area who died in a crash in the rural village of Garreg.
The inquest into their deaths has been opened and adjourned pending further inquiries.
Image: Crystal Owen with her son Harvey. Pic: Crystal Owen
Crystal Owen, 39, has launched a petition calling on the UK government to introduce a graduate licensing scheme.
It would mean drivers under the age of 25 would not be able to travel with passengers in the first 12 months after passing their test.
“I know he would still be here if this law was in place, that’s what angers me so much,” Ms Owen told Sky News.
“Before any of this happened with Harvey, I hadn’t really looked into road safety as such because Harvey was not even interested in taking his lessons. It wasn’t on our list of things to worry about at that time.”
‘Majorly overlooked’
Ms Owen said that people should listen to the evidence when it comes to road safety.
“I remember at work, us all talking about this 20mph [default speed limit in Wales] thinking it was over the top. One of my staff actually lives in Wales and she was joking about how long it was going to take to get to work,” she said.
“The evidence speaks for itself, so I think we all just need to learn to trust it and not think we know best.”
But rural roads are “majorly overlooked” in current legislation, according to Ms Owen.
That’s why she’s calling for young drivers to have to take a minimum of 40 hours of lessons before taking their test.
Image: Harvey was killed in a crash with three others in Gwynedd last year. Pic: Crystal Owen
‘Loveliest young man’
Ms Owen said Harvey was the “loveliest young man”.
“He’d never even had a detention, he was just a lovely, lovely lad,” she added.
“He loved his little sisters, absolutely adored them. He was just a real thoughtful, very calm, laid back sort of boy.”
Ms Owen said her family’s lives, and that of thousands of others, had been “devastated” by road traffic collisions.
“In any other way these deaths were occurring in such high numbers, there’d be an absolute outcry, but they just seem to be accepted because it’s a car crash.”
Image: His mother said he was the ‘loveliest young man’. Pic: Crystal Owen
Image: Ben with mum Carla (left) and sister Ashleigh (right). Pic: Ashleigh Rogers
‘They see it as fun’
Ben Rogers was 19 when he was killed in a crash in Swansea in May 2022.
Owain Hammett-George, who was 17 at the time of the crash, was jailed for six years last month for causing death by dangerous driving.
The court heard he had been driving at speeds of up to 78mph on a 30mph stretch of the B4436 in Bishopston.
Both Ben and Kaitlyn Davies, also 19, died instantly and another passenger sustained life-changing injuries.
Ben’s mum Carla King told Sky News she hoped tougher rules for young drivers, including a mandatory black box, would mean they’re more aware of their responsibility.
Image: Ben with family dog Hudson. Pic: Ashleigh Rogers
“They just go out and see it as fun, don’t they? They show off and they speed, inexperienced, they think they’re invincible,” she said.
“I don’t recall anybody ever saying to me you’re responsible for this. You’re driving, you’re responsible for all your passengers, you’re responsible for anybody in the car you hit. It’s a weapon, I don’t think that’s drilled in enough.”
Image: Ben on his 18th birthday. Pic: Ashleigh Rogers
‘Keep Ben’s name alive’
Ben’s sister, Ashleigh Rogers, 27, said he was “just a happy, bubbly person”.
“He was with me throughout everything. All my dark days and all through my happy times, he would be one of the first people I would tell. He was the first person who found out I was having a little boy,” she added.
“He was there a lot and it’s taunting that he won’t be there for the rest of my life, like my wedding and other things like that. But you’ve just got to remember the person that he was when he was here.”
Ben’s loss has been “heartbreaking”, Ms King added.
“I’m actually still in my bed because some days I just can’t get out of bed. It is difficult,” she said.
“Even Easter, not being able to buy his favourite chocolate and have him up for Easter lunch and Christmas lunch and buy him gifts and everything.”
Ben’s mum hopes their calls for change will help to “honour” his name.
“All we can do now is… try to keep Ben’s name alive,” she added.
Image: Olivia Alkir. Pic: Jo Alkir
‘Help them help themselves’
Jo Alkir, 54, has been campaigning on road safety for the last five years.
Her daughter Olivia was 17 when she died in a crash less than a mile from her home in Denbighshire in June 2019.
She was killed after the driver – who had only passed his test the day before – hit an oncoming vehicle while racing with another boy.
A three-part lesson based on Olivia’s story has been taught in schools across North Wales, to make pupils aware of the potential consequences of dangerous driving.
In the years since her daughter’s death, Ms Alkir has taken the campaign both to the Senedd and to Westminster.
She told Sky News a graduated driver’s licence “would have saved Olivia’s life”.
“It’s not controls as in you want to be in control of them, it’s controls to help them help themselves.”
The newly-appointed deputy head girl of her school was described by her mum as “really hard-working”.
“She and I were incredibly close. She was my only child,” Ms Alkir added.
“She was lovely company for me to be with. I loved every single second, every minute I spent with her. She was a joy to be around.”
Image: Olivia, 17, with her mother, Jo. Pic: Jo Alkir
‘Constant grief’
Ms Alkir said the loss of Olivia had left her feeling “constant grief”.
“It’s the most tiring thing a human could have because you’re just constantly battling to get out of bed and go to work. It’s a battle because all the different emotions that you’re feeling,” she said.
“She was such a bright, beautiful girl… and what her future could have been. She could have been anything.”
While it’s “frustrating” that five years on from Olivia’s death, the government is yet to act, focusing on the campaign has “really helped” Ms Alkir.
“It’s just really important for me to help her be remembered as well, because she was meant to achieve, but she is through her legacy,” she added.
“And I’m sure all the other parents who are in my shoes as well. It’s a very similar feeling I’m sure of not letting it just be in vain, not wasting what happened. Using the opportunity to make some changes.”
‘No plans’
In response to the petition, the Department for Transport said there are “no plans to introduce tougher restrictions on new drivers” but added that it is keeping licensing requirements “under review”.
“Every death on our roads is a tragedy and we continue to work tirelessly to improve road safety,” a DfT spokesperson said.
“We’ve commissioned research designed to help learner and newly qualified drivers improve their skills and safety, while our THINK! campaign is specifically targeted at young drivers.”
Young drivers with automatic-only licences face paying £760 more for car insurance than those who can also drive a manual vehicle, according to new figures.
In what is described as a “concerning” rise, figures from comparison site Compare the Market show motorists under 25 with automatic licences now pay £2,803 on average.
That is a year-on-year increase of £916.
It is a concern for the increasing number of drivers taking automatic-only tests, with DVLA data showing that 138,354 passed in an automatic car in 2022-23.
That figure was 34,749 in 2012-13.
“The increasing cost of car insurance is concerning for young drivers across the board, particularly those who have only learnt to drive automatic cars,” Julie Daniels, motor insurance expert at Compare the Market, said.
“These drivers face paying over £900 more this year to insure their car.”
The figures also show insurance premiums have risen since January 2023 by £644 on average to reach £2,009 for drivers under 25.
It all means young drivers now face paying £3,043 on average for the total running costs of a vehicle, a 25% increase from last year when this bill stood at £2,436.
“A tip for young drivers would be to look around for cheaper car insurance first, either when their policy is up for renewal, or when taking out insurance for the first time,” Ms Daniels added.
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“Adding an experienced named driver to a person’s insurance can also help reduce prices – as long as the information is accurate.
“Finally, a telematic policy, also known as a black box, can help give a younger driver more affordable quotes.”
Police are on the hunt for a man following a complaint he has been repeatedly approaching a young woman in the street, leaving her “shaken by the incidents”.
The man has accosted the 22-year-old at various times of the night and day while the woman has walked along Benvie Road in Dundee, near to Black Street and Cleghorn Street.
The man was said to have made attempts to speak to the woman on Tuesday 2 January, Tuesday 30 January, Friday 2 February and Sunday 4 February before leaving the area.
PC Andrew McIlvenny said: “The woman was not hurt any of the times she was approached by the man but has been left shaken by the incidents.”
The man is believed to be in his late-20s to early-30s and is around 5ft 6in tall. He is described as slim with a tanned complexion, short black hair and black stubble.
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Police Scotland said he was wearing a full white tracksuit with three blue stripes, and a gold signet ring on his left hand. He also had a Staffordshire bull terrier dog with him during some of the incidents.
PC McIlvenny added: “I would like to reassure the community that our officers are doing everything they can to find the person responsible.
“I would appeal to anyone who recognises the description of the man to get in touch.”
A 45-year-old man found dead alongside two young girls and a 36-year-old woman in Norwich has been named as Bartlomiej Kuczynski.
Their bodies were found at a house in Allan Bedford Crescent, Costessey, Norfolk, shortly before 7am on Friday.
Police previously said all four were found with injuries, and that they were all part of the same family.
“Three of the people are believed to reside at the address and another one not permanently,” said Detective Chief Inspector Chris Burgess of Norfolk Police.
“The man and two children lived at the address, but the woman involved was visiting and did not live at the property.”
He said post-mortem examinations would be held to establish the cause of their deaths.
Police forced their way into the property following a call from a member of the public. They also confirmed officers attended the property on 14 December last year in relation to a missing person inquiry.
“We are still working to understand the full circumstances which led to the deaths of these people, however at this time we believe this to be an isolated incident,” Mr Burgess added.
“I recognise the shock and upset this incident will cause in the local community and we will have increased patrols in the area across the weekend.”
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Police have launched a search for four young men who have gone missing in North Wales .
North Wales Police said they had gone missing from the area around Harlech and Porthmadog in Gwynedd.
Officers said the group was last seen on Sunday morning.
The force has expressed concern and is appealing for information to help find Jevon Hirst, Harvey Owen, Wilf Henderson and Hugo Morris.
They were travelling in a silver Ford Fiesta. The car’s registration plate is HY14GVO.
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Locals reported a helicopter had been searching the Penrhyndeudraeth area before heading toward Nantmor and Beddgelert.
Anyone who may have seen the four are urged to contact North Wales Police.
A British man who was serving in the Israeli army has been killed in an attack by Hamas militants.
Corporal Nathanel Young, 20, from London, was a soldier in the 13th Battalion, according to the Israeli Defence Forces.
His family shared a post on Facebook saying they are “heartbroken”, adding: “Our little brother Nathanel Young was tragically killed on the Gaza Border yesterday.”
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He was a former pupil at JFS, a Jewish mixed comprehensive school in Kenton, north London, who was living in the Bayit Shel Benji home for lone IDF soldiers in Raanana, north of Tel Aviv, according to the Jewish News.
Image: Nathanel Young’s family are ‘heartbroken’
Mr Young’s family said in a tribute: “Nathanel was full of life and the life of the party – he carried the nickname DJ on base and at Benji’s house, the lone soldier house that he lived at.
“He loved his family and friends and was loved by everyone. He loved music and was a talented DJ.
“Always willing to go to any lengths for his loved ones. An amazing uncle and brother. He was so happy and thriving in Israel. He loved the country.”
His brother Eliot Young told Sky News: “Nathanel always had strong Jewish pride. From a young age he has always wanted to play an important role in defending his country – it’s something he talked about a lot.”
He added: “Nathanel was also a bubbly guy who my two little daughters loved playing with and were always so excited to visit.
Image: Nathanel Young was serving in the Israeli army
Image: Nathanel Young ‘was loved by everyone’
“When Nathanel could have taken his days off to sleep and re-energise, he instead found out where we were, which wasn’t always so close to him, and came to join us.”
It is understood that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is in contact with and assisting the families of several people in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Another British man Jake Marlowe, 26, has been “missing near Gaza” since Saturday morning after Hamas attacked a music festival in southern Israel, the country’s embassy in the UK told Sky News.
Hundreds of Israelis were killed and thousands more were injured after Hamas fired missiles into Israel while fighters launched a surprise attack on Saturday morning.
Gunmen targeted up to 22 locations in the initial assault, with gun battles continuing into Sunday.
A man and two young children have died after a collision between a car and a lorry in Leicestershire.
Officers were called to the crash on the A5 in Hinckley near Burbage shortly before 4.30pm on Friday.
The male driver of the BMW car, who was in his 30s, and a nine-year-old boy who was a passenger were both pronounced dead at the scene.
A woman in her 30s and a four-year-old girl, both passengers in the car, were taken to hospital where the girl died a short time later.
The woman remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition, Leicestershire Police has said.
The driver of the lorry was not seriously injured.
East Midlands Ambulance Service and Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene.
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Detective Constable Anna Andrew, from the serious collision investigation unit, said: “This is an extremely sad and tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with those who have lost their lives, their families and with others involved and who have been affected.
“Emergency services attended the scene and we know members of the public also assisted at the scene when the collision happened – thank you to everyone who responded and helped in these devastating and extremely distressing circumstances.
“We are continuing to provide full support to the families of the people involved and to investigate the collision to establish the full circumstances in relation to what has happened.”
The force has appealed for dashcam footage and for witnesses to come forward.
Young adults and renters are some of the groups of people worst hit by rising prices as official figures show around 1 in 20 said they’d run out of food in the past 2 weeks and couldn’t afford more.
People who couldn’t afford food were most likely to be supported by charities, be lone parents and in receipt of benefits or financial help.
Also more likely to struggle to buy food were ethnically diverse people and black, African, Caribbean and black British adults, along with renters and disabled adults.
Those aged 25 to 34 were at greater risk of financial vulnerability than those over the age of 75, the data showed.
Renters were more likely to report difficulty paying housing costs.
While more than a quarter (28%) of mortgage holders said it was difficult to afford their mortgage, 43% of renters reported it was very or somewhat difficult to afford rent.
Compared to mortgage payers, renters were spending less on food and essentials, were more likely to have run out of food and to be behind on energy bills.
Renters spent an average of 21% of their disposable income on rent, compared to 16% of mortgage payers, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Similarly, disabled adults faced greater financial difficulties than non-disabled adults.
The ONS has published analysis on the impact of the cost of living crisis from February to the start of May, before mortgage rates began increasing in earnest.
It analysed the proportion of people affected by price rises, and the characteristics associated with financial vulnerability.
It comes as the government announced public sector pay rises of between 5% and 7% this week and official figures showed wage growth remained at record high of 7.3%, but was still outpaced by inflation.
