Kiss founding member dies weeks after canceling tour dates

Ace Frehley, guitarist and founding member of the rock group Kiss, has died. He was 74.

The musician suffered a fall at home in September, and TMZ reported earlier today that he had sustained a brain bleed which left him on life support.

His death was announced by his family. In a statement to Rolling Stone, they said: “We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers and intentions as he left this earth.

“We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions, and beyond comprehension. Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”

Frehley’s tour manager John Ostrosky shared September 25 via Facebook that the musician had suffered a “minor fall” and would have to cancel an upcoming tour date.

A subsequent update from Frehley’s official page on October 6 announced: “Due to some ongoing medical issues, Ace has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of his 2025 dates.”

Frehley was born Paul Daniel Frehley in The Bronx, New York City, on April 27, 1951. He received his first guitar as a Christmas present in 1964, at the age of 13.

He played in numerous bands in New York before answering an advertisement in 1972 placed by rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss, who were seeking a lead guitarist. He got the job, and by January 1973 the four-piece had named themselves Kiss.

Between 1974 and 1975, Kiss released three albums (Kiss, Hotter Than Hell and Dressed to Kill) which built a cult following of fans who called themselves the “Kiss Army.”

Their mainstream commercial breakthrough came with 1975 live album Alive!, which went platinum four times over and gave the band their first top 40 hit with the live version of previous single “Rock and Roll All Nite.” Frehley’s frenetic playing on Alive! would become a significant influence on a generation of young guitarists.

In 1978, all four band members released eponymous solo records, and Frehley’s became the biggest seller. He wrote three songs for the band’s 1979 album Dynasty and another three for 1980’s Unmasked.

In the early 1980s Frehley found himself sidelined, as Criss left the band and Stanley and Simmons formed a tighter unit. On the band’s 1982 “Creatures of the Night” tour he was replaced by guitarist Vinnie Vincent.

Frehley formed his own band, Frehley’s Comet, in 1984. They released a self-titled album in 1987 and a follow-up, Second Sighting, in 1988.

In 1996, Frehley and Criss rejoined Kiss for a successful reunion tour. The original line-up released a new album, Psycho Circus, in 1998. Frehley’s last performance with the band was at the closing ceremony for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In 2011, Frehley published a memoir, No Regrets. He continued releasing solo albums until his death, including 2024’s 10,000 Volts. A third volume of his covers records Origins was slated to be released in 2025.

Frehley is survived by his ex-wife Jeanette Trerotola, who he married in 1976, and his daughter Monique Frehley.

Trump says ‘we will go in and kill Hamas’ if violence in Gaza continues

President Donald Trump has warned Hamas that they will be “killed” if they do not put an end to violence in Gaza, just days after he celebrated a ceasefire and prisoner-hostage exchange with Israel.

“If Hamas continues to kill people in Gaza, which was not the Deal, we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social on Thursday.

Hamas executed seven Palestinians this week for “collaborating” with Israel, which Trump condoned at the time, comparing it to US gang violence and strikes on Venezuelan “drug boats”.

Local health authorities said an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis killed two on Thursday. Israel said its forces fired at several individuals who emerged from a tunnel and approached troops, posing an “immediate threat”.

Families of Israeli hostages and captives demanded that a ceasefire be terminated if the 19 bodies remaining in Gaza are not returned.

Hamas said all reachable hostage bodies have been returned to Israel.

Sam Fender wins the 2025 Mercury Prize for third album People Watching

Sam Fender has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Mercury Prize for his third studio album, People Watching.

The singer-songwriter won the prestigious music award just a stone’s throw from where he was raised, in North Shields, as the ceremony took place at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena for the first time.

He beat shortlisted artists including rock bands Fontaines DC and Wolf Alice, Irish pop star CMAT, and Britpop icons Pulp.

Announcing the win, judging panel member and Radio 1 presenter Sian Eleri said she and her fellow judges had loved People Watching’s “character and ambition”.

“After much hard discussion we decided on one album that stood out for its cohesion, character and ambition,” she said. “It felt like a classic album, one that will take pride of place in record collections for years to come.”

Accepting the trophy, Fender led the live audience in a chant of “Toon, Toon”, before praising CMAT and Fontaines DC, then fetched his guitar for a reprise of the title track “People Watching”.

Fender, whose career has skyrocketed since he broke through with his 2019 debut Hypersonic Missiles, recently completed a huge run of shows that included three nights at the 52,000-capacity St James’ Park in Newcastle. He was previously shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2022 for his second album, Seventeen Going Under.

Upon its release in February, People Watching topped the charts and sold 107,000 copies in its first week, the biggest chart debut for a British artist since Harry Styles’s album Harry’s House came out in 2022.

Fender was the last artist to perform during the ceremony, receiving a deafening roar from the live audience as he appeared onstage for a rendition of “People Watching”.

“I think, judging by that reaction, he might just be playing to a home crowd,” host Lauren Laverne said.

Many of this year’s shortlisted artists praised the decision to move the ceremony away from its usual location in London while appearing on the red carpet earlier in the evening.

Folk musician Martin Carthy, who at 84 is the award’s oldest ever nominee, told the BBC that holding it up north was a “master stroke” and that he felt honoured to be there, despite being a “bloomin’ southerner”.

Echoing the sentiment, fellow nominee Emma Jean Thackray suggested that people were “starting to realise that the music industry is not just about London”.

She added: “It’s amazing that different places are getting some shine and I’m particularly happy that the Mercury Prize this year is in the north, being a Northern girl.”

Also shortlisted this year was Scottish singer-songwriter Jacob Alon, recognised for their debut album In Limerence, which explores themes of sexuality, romantic obsession and loneliness in the queer community.

Instead of the usual “token jazz album”, two jazz records appeared on this year’s shortlist. The first spot went to Welsh pianist Joe Webb, for his technically impressive, well-humoured album Hamstrings and Hurricanes, while the second nod went to musical polymath Thackray, whose 2025 record Weirdo melds jazz with rock, funk and hip-hop influences.

CMAT was widely viewed as the favourite to win; however, the Mercury Prize judges are seen as notorious for not selecting the popular favourite.

This was CMAT’s second Mercury Prize nomination – she was also shortlisted for her second album, Crazymad, for Me, which was released in 2023.

Her 2025 shortlisted album Euro-Country, meanwhile, topped the charts in her native Ireland and also made the No 2 spot in the UK.

Appearing on the red carpet earlier that evening, the musician born Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, 29, told the PA news agency that Ireland’s current surge of musical success comes from “a generation of traumatised people” and was the result of “a lot of bad fruits coming to harvest”.

“I wish I could pinpoint it to anything else, but it’s just the fact that everything is coming up through the rafters so quickly, and there’s a lot of artists from a very small, not very densely populated country, making a lot of music that fleets quite important, as opposed to trivial,” she said.

“I think everybody is a bit earnest and has had their head screwed on a little bit because we all went through something 20-odd years ago, my age group, and we’re now really dealing with the fall-out and the repercussions of it.”

CMAT references the 2008 Irish economic downturn on Euro-Country, including in the title track, where she sings: “All the big boys/ All the Berties/ All the envelopes, yeah they hurt me/ I was 12 when the das started killing themselves all around me.”

The shortlist is curated by an independent judging panel of music industry professionals, among them Eleri, jazz musician Jamie Cullum, The Times’s chief pop and rock critic Will Hodgkinson and BBC Radio 6 presenter Jamz Supernova.

Last year’s prize went to the Leeds-formed band English Teacher for their debut album, This Could Be Texas.

The £100 weekly shop trend that shows how little food it really buys

A few years ago, £100 would fill a trolley. Now it barely fills a basket. Across social media, shoppers are posting photos of their groceries with captions somewhere between disbelief and despair. “£98! At Aldi, no booze included and only meat is sliced for a sandwich and a chicken to roast. Six months ago, this would have been £70!” read one viral post.

The so-called “£100 weekly shop” – once shorthand for a manageable middle-class routine – has become a symbol of how far our money no longer goes. What’s replaced it is far more chaotic: bulk-buys, frozen finds, endless top-ups and a growing sense that food shopping has turned from a domestic ritual into an act of survival.

For Kimberley Coke, a working mum of two in Hertfordshire, the notion of a single weekly shop now feels impossible. “Our routine has changed as we’re out so much with busy family commitments and kids’ football,” she says – she commutes to London while her husband works in the next town over. “The food shop is sporadic for four. We tend to do one massive, expensive shop a month, but then we’re constantly playing top-up.”

“I tend to shop at Sainsbury’s but do top-up shops at Aldi and Asda and get frozen stuff for the kids at the Food Warehouse,” she explains. “They do a good, healthy frozen protein range, which lasts for ages in the freezer.” Even Costco, once her way to stock up and save, can backfire: “It’s amazing for bulk shopping – high quality and super nice stuff. But, God, I end up spending a few hundred pounds in a flash!”

What Coke describes mirrors a wider national trend. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), families are returning to a hybrid routine of smaller weekly “big” shops followed by multiple top-ups.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the rate of food and non-alcoholic drink inflation rose to 5.1 per cent in August, up from 4.9 per cent in July – the fifth consecutive month of rising prices. Vegetables, milk, cheese, fish, beef and pork were among the biggest climbers, reflecting a mix of poor harvests and supply-chain disruption. Figures from Worldpanel by Numerator show supermarket prices remain 4.9 per cent higher than a year ago, despite months of so-called “price wars” between the major grocers.

“Many families are switching to supermarket own brands to save money where they can,” says Kris Hamer, the BRC’s director of insight. “And while customers moved back to large weekly shopping trips during the pandemic, many have returned to a smaller weekly ‘big’ shop followed by small ‘top-up’ trips through the week.”

That splintering of the “big shop” is echoed by Tom Zahir, a chef who lives in east London with his partner and their new baby. “We do one big shop every 10-14 days, which will be online from a supermarket – in that we have boring stuff like toilet roll, toothpaste, breakfast cereals, cheeses, milk and eggs,” he says. “We’ll buy basic meats from there too – chicken breasts, some mince, etc, for staple meals. That shop might run £70-90.”

The rest, he says, is made up of smaller, more spontaneous trips. “Local shop for items for specific meals – good value bunches of herbs, tomatoes, salads – or to a slightly larger independent shop nearby with a butcher counter.”

Every couple of months they bulk-buy meat for the freezer, but “in recent months (we just had a baby), we’ve found ourselves using delivery services like Gopuff and Zoom for last-minute purchases of protein in a pinch – this is usually down to poor planning without set meals in mind.”

He estimates their spend at around £75 a week, “but it is super-noticeable how much less it sometimes feels you get for that, especially when buying things like dishwasher tablets or laundry items in a shop.”

Zahir’s household – like many urban families – now buys across several ecosystems. “The variety of places we get our household essentials from has increased massively,” he says. “We buy more in bulk now for savings – especially with household cleaning stuff – it can be from Amazon, Costco or even subscription services for things like cat litter and baby formula.”

“Retailers are grappling with an additional £5bn in costs from April’s increased employer national insurance contributions and national living wage,” says Hamer. “The result is that food inflation has been trending upwards over recent months, expected to hit around 6 per cent by the end of this year.”

The Food Foundation also points to what it calls “climateflation” – the ripple effect of extreme weather events and disrupted harvests driving up prices for core ingredients. The organisation warns that as long as food systems remain vulnerable to climate shocks, affordability will stay precarious.

Meanwhile, the market has tilted quietly towards value. Own-label products now account for 51.2 per cent of all supermarket sales, up from 50.9 per cent a year ago, as shoppers reach for cheaper alternatives.

The Treasury, for its part, has denied that government policy is to blame for supermarket price rises, pointing instead to global commodity pressures. But for shoppers, that distinction is irrelevant when the till flashes over £100.

In other words, supermarkets aren’t inflating prices for sport; they’re juggling an expensive equation of wages, regulation, climate shocks and supply chains. But for households, those incremental rises – 30p here, 50p there – accumulate into real lifestyle changes.

Zahir says the fallout is tangible. “Meats and dairy are up massively and there is no chance we will buy any cleaning stuff in the supermarket now as it’s all so expensive. Household medicines are also so expensive now – a box of Lemsip is £7?!”

Even for those with comfortable incomes, small costs now dictate habits. “A lack of planning can seriously push the cost of your shop up,” he admits. “We’ve also trialled quite a few online supermarkets and will make sure we utilise things like £25-off vouchers much more than we used to.”

Rising prices have created a generation of hyper-strategic shoppers. For Coke, frozen food and Costco runs are now core tactics. For Zahir, it’s meal planning and what chefs call “cross-utilisation”: buying ingredients that can serve multiple dishes. “This week I bought a chicken and used the breast for a salad plate, the legs to chop up into a topping for tacos and then used the wings and carcass to make a stock which will turn into a soup,” he says. “I also tend to buy and freeze items more than ever before.”

Even ideas of indulgence have changed. “Buying a premium cut of meat at a supermarket – or going in at the fancy Waitrose cheese or deli counter – is definitely a huge rarity these days,” he says. “If we do this now, it will only be from an independent deli, cheesemonger or butcher where we know the quality is higher and it’s only marginally more than buying it from a supermarket.”

For many households, this kind of strategising isn’t optional. It’s survival. The Food Foundation’s Food Insecurity Tracker found that 7.3 million adults – nearly 14 per cent of UK households – experienced food insecurity in January 2025, rising to 17.9 per cent among families with children. The charity’s Basic Basket tracker shows that a nutritionally adequate weekly shop for one man and one woman now costs over £100.

The weekly shop once stood for something bigger than a receipt – a symbol of control, of being able to fill a fridge and plan a week. Its disappearance tells a story about the fragility of that stability. The ritual that once anchored everyday life has become a test of endurance, proof of how much responsibility for affordability has shifted from government and industry onto households themselves.

‘King Kong’ of weight-loss jabs sold illegally on TikTok and Facebook

Fake versions of highly sought-after weight-loss jabs are being sold illegally on social media, an investigation has found.

Retatrutide, seen as the ‘King Kong’ of weight-loss drugs, works twice as fast as existing drugs to help people lose weight, according to early studies.

The drug is being developed by Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical giant behind Mounjaro, but Retatrutide is still in clinical trials and has not yet been licensed for use anywhere in the world.

Yet on major social platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, people are selling weight-loss injections they claim are Retatrutide.

An investigation by Channel 4 News exposed how easily an undercover reporter was able to buy and collect a fake version of the drug.

When pushed by the reporter, the seller falsely claimed the injections were obtained from a pharmacy and are available on the NHS. The reporter was also given “conflicting” instructions about how many times she should use the jabs per week.

The investigation found that two companies were selling fake or illicit versions of weight-loss drugs. Eli Lilly said it is taking action against the companies. The Independent has contacted both for comment.

Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, a former Big Brother housemate, said she lost vision in one eye after she took a copy of a weight-loss drug she bought on TikTok.

When she received her package containing the jabs, she said it had “no guidance, no instructions”.

She told Channel 4: “There were bags of vomit just lined up by my bed. I couldn’t make it to the toilet. It was just literally the worst time of my life physically. My vision had gone in one eye. I thought, that’s it. I’m either gonna die or I’m gonna be blind. It was just torture.”

When shown one of the illegal jab packages, Dr Nancy Allen, an NHS GP who prescribes licensed weight-loss medications, said she had never seen it before, and expressed “serious concerns” about patient safety.

Sales of fat-fighting jabs Mounjaro and Wegovy reached 2.5 million in July, seven times more than the same period last year, according to figures seen by The Telegraph.

The Ozempic-style drugs are set to be made widely available on the NHS under plans drafted by Wes Streeting, but they are currently rare on a free prescription and many people are choosing to go private.

The popularity of the jabs has soared over the past year as they are increasingly being used to tackle obesity. Around 4 per cent of households in the UK currently use them.

Following the investigation, both TikTok and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, removed the content.

Meta added that it is “constantly working to get better at detection”.

TikTok has also banned associated hashtags and search suggestions, and pointed to its community guidelines, which it said “are clear that we don’t allow trading, marketing, or providing access to regulated, prohibited, or high-risk goods and services”. It added: “This includes regulated substances such as products marketed for weight loss or muscle gain.”

A statement from Eli Lilly said: “Retatrutide is an investigational molecule that is legally available only to participants in Lilly’s clinical trials. Anyone purporting to sell Retatrutide for human use is breaking the law, and no one should consider taking anything claiming to be retatrutide outside of a Lilly-sponsored clinical trial.”

The programme, called Inside the black market for illegal weight-loss jabs, aired on Channel 4 News on Wednesday night.

Hidden gem holidays: An insider guide to the Dominican Republic

The advent of autumn sees us thinking ahead to how to keep that sunshine feeling going through till winter; and there’s nothing better for keeping our spirits up than the idea of booking a holiday somewhere tropical. Enter the Dominican Republic, a warm and welcoming Caribbean nation perched to the south of the Turks and Caicos islands, and east of Jamaica. Known for its beautiful beaches, premium resorts and some legendary golf courses, there is, as the saying goes, genuinely something for everyone. If you want to make your holiday more than just a fly and flop, there’s plenty to explore, from Pico Duarte, the Caribbean’s tallest mountain, to historic sites in the country’s lively capital, Santo Domingo.

But first, where’s the best place to stay? Consider Costa Esmeralda, in the Miches area on the Island’s northeastern coast, a picturesque and pristine stretch of sand fringed with coconut palms that lean over the calm, turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Neighbouring Punta Cana and the wider Bávaro area combine to form what’s known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast, an area of lavish, all-inclusive hotels which is also popular for windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

Base yourself at Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort Curio by Hilton, an oceanfront resort boasting 800-metres of secluded beach on the shores of Playa Esmeralda. Located just 90 minutes’ drive from Punta Cana International Airport, the emphasis here is firmly on fun and relaxation. It features six restaurants, six bars and lounges, four pools and several water slides, and for those who like to keep fit while away, there’s a pickleball court, a paddle tennis court, and a full-service fitness centre which offers yoga and pilates classes. The Acana spa aims to reconnect soul and spirit with therapies inspired by ancient traditions, while you’ll also find a daily programme of art and cultural activities, plus live nightly entertainment. Bringing the kids? They’ll love spending time at the Coki Cove Kids Club or Palmchat Teens Club.

There’s a choice of rooms, suites or bungalows, all tastefully decorated with Caribbean flair, and offering stunning views. Select accommodations even feature private plunge pools, and Club Azure and bungalow guests have access to additional dining options and a rooftop pool. Talking of dining, you’ll experience a world of flavour, with menus inspired by the traditions of the Caribbean, Thailand, and the Amalfi Coast; think spicy, street-food inspired dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and local favourites. All this, and unlimited drinks and cocktails, too!

What’s more, booking with British Airways Holidays means you can secure your holiday now with a low deposit and spread the cost with flexible payments*. Once you’re ready to jet off, you can enjoy increased checked baggage allowance, a dedicated 24-hour helpline during your trip and the option of quality car hire with no hidden fees, 24-hour support and roadside assistance.

Upgrade to Club World and you’ll also get lounge access**, increased baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding, and a spacious seat that converts to a fully flat bed. Members of The British Airways Club enjoy even more benefits in the form of collecting Avios (British Airways’ frequent flyer currency) and earning tier points, which unlock frequent flyer status and other benefits. Avios can also be used towards the cost of your holiday, presenting even greater value for money for members.

All this means you can totally relax during your stay at Hilton Zemi Miches Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort, knowing you’re getting the quality and peace of mind you’d expect from a British Airways Holidays.

If you can tear yourself away from the resort – tough, we know – there’s lots to experience throughout the Dominican Republic. Take a day trip to Santo Domingo, one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities; its walled, cobblestoned, historic centre, the Zona Colonial, has impressive Spanish buildings dating back to the 16th century, including the Gothic Catedral Primada de America and the Alcázar de Colón palace, which sits on the laid-back, cafe-lined Plaza de España. The latter is now one of the city’s many museums, displaying striking medieval and Renaissance art. In the pretty Parque del Este is the Faro a Colón, a large mausoleum and museum dedicated to Christopher Columbus, who landed on the island known as Hispaniola (now divided into the Dominican Republic and Haiti) in 1492. For a taste of life in bygone times, visit Altos de Chavón, a fascinating replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village, featuring art galleries and studios, boutiques and a striking amphitheatre.

Looking for something a little more adventurous? Get back to nature at Los Haitises National Park, where you can explore mangrove forests, caves and unique rock formations, or the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua, a series of tumbling falls perfect for swimming, splashing and jumping into. And don’t miss the incredible Hoya Azul, a cenote, or sinkhole, with crystal-clear, aquamarine waters; it’s located in Scape Park, a natural adventure park featuring lush jungles and jaw-dropping cliffs, where you can go zip-lining or explore the caves. There is whale watching in Samana Bay – humpback whales can be found here during their breeding season, January to March. While Lago Enriquillo, a salt lake with surrounding wetlands, is home to crocodiles and various bird species, including flamingos. All in all, your holiday to the Dominican Republic is guaranteed to be unforgettable; so get booking now!

British Airways Holidays packages include a generous baggage allowance for each customer and come with full ATOL protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your holiday to Hilton Zemi Miches Punta with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*.

*Based on two sharing. Full balance due seven weeks before departure. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

**Subject to availability

Total NHS liabilities for medical negligence hit £60 billion

The NHS’s total liabilities for medical negligence have hit £60 billion, the National Audit Office (NAO) has said.

The amount has been attributed to the rising number of claims, combined with more being paid out per claim and spiralling legal fees.

The estimated fee is the total that would be needed to settle all NHS clinical negligence claims as of the end of March this year, including any claims not yet received for the period before then.

According to the NAO, clinical negligence is the second largest liability on the government balance sheet after nuclear decommissioning, with the figure now four times higher than what it was in 2006-07.

The NAO added legal costs for claimants on successful claims have increased “much more” than those incurred by the NHS when defending itself.

Claimant legal costs increased from £148 million in 2006‑07 (in real terms) to £538 million in 2024-25 – representing 15 per cent of the total cost of settled claims.

Meanwhile, NHS defence costs have also increased, from £76 million in 2006-07 (in real terms) to £159 million in 2024-25, but reduced from 7 per cent to 4 per cent of settled claim costs over the same period.

The NAO report said legal costs for low-value claims now vastly exceed the damages paid to claimants.

About three-quarters of clinical negligence claims settle for £25,000 or less, but the costs of these are almost four times the total damages awarded.

In 2024‑25, £143 million of the £183 million cost to settle low-value claims was for legal costs, while £39 million (21 per cent) was for damages.

When looking at settled claims, the report said mental health and radiology have seen the largest percentage increases.

Meanwhile, obstetrics cases involving cerebral palsy or brain damage (£599 million) and paediatrics (£137 million) saw the largest increase in annual settled costs.

Overall, damages on very-high value cases (with awards of £1 million or more) account for 68 per cent of all costs, despite only constituting 2 per cent of claims by volume.

The highest-value claims are usually for brain injury caused by poor maternity care.

Between 2006-07 and 2024-25, the total cost for obstetrics claims involving cerebral palsy or brain damage increased by over £1 billion in real terms.

The report also said that, although forecasts remain uncertain, it is likely that the cost to the government of clinical negligence “will continue to grow substantially”.

And when looking at annual figures, the yearly cost of settling clinical negligence claims has more than tripled over the past two decades, from £1.1 billion in 2006-07 to £3.6 billion in 2024-25.

The report said improving how the NHS responds to complaints of harm could reduce the number of claims and the cost of clinical negligence.

It said: “Stakeholders raised concerns about how well individual health providers apply the duty of candour, which is the legal obligation for honesty and transparency when care goes wrong.”

The NAO also said plans made by the previous government to cap the legal costs in low-value cases have not been implemented.

It also points out how the government may be paying twice in some cases: first by settling a claim, and then again when patients choose NHS or social care, despite an assumption their settlement will be used for private care.

The NAO acknowledged that NHS Resolution has worked hard to resolve claims faster and without litigation wherever possible, but said more needs to be done.

Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, reducing harm to patients is clearly the best way of containing rising costs.

“Alongside this, DHSC should consider whether the existing approach to legal costs remains proportionate for all claims, including whether alternative methods to compensate for negligent treatment could provide better outcomes for patients, with less cost overall,” he said.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “There has been an unacceptable rise in the cost of clinical negligence claims – billions that should have been spent on frontline services.

“From overhauling our broken safety landscape, to grasping the serious problems in maternity care – this government is grabbing hold of this problem and taking the decisive action patients and taxpayers deserve.

“Our 10-year health plan makes clear that patient safety is the bedrock of a healthy NHS and we are working to ensure we reduce the incidents that lead to claims.

“However, a large portion of these costs occur through the legal system and we have appointed legal expert David Lock KC to advise us on how to address rising legal costs and how we can improve the claims process for patients.”

Romance scam warning as fraudster cons £72k from victim

Banks have sometimes missed opportunities to help “break the spell” of romance scams – after it was revealed one victim made 403 payments to a fraudster over the course of a year, resulting in losses of more than £72,000.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) acknowledged seeing examples of banks going to significant lengths to protect those vulnerable to romance fraud.

However, the regulator also uncovered some missed chances to prevent these scams.

City of London Police figures suggest more than £106 million was reported lost to romance fraud in the UK during the 2024/25 financial year, with a 9 per cent annual increase in reports. On average, victims lost £11,222 each.

Victims are tricked into sending money to fraudsters who create false romantic relationships or friendships.

More than eight in 10 (85 per cent) cases examined by the FCA started online, particularly through social media and dating websites, suggesting platforms have a critical role to play in preventing fraud and reducing harm, the regulator said.

Individual losses in confirmed romance fraud cases assessed by the FCA ranged from £100 to £428,249.

In its romance fraud review, the FCA set out measures that banks and other payment firms could take to protect their customers – such as better detection and monitoring systems, staff training, early identification of signs of vulnerability, and compassionate aftercare.

The regulator said firms can have difficulty stepping in because victims may be reluctant to accept they are being defrauded. In nearly half (42 per cent) of the cases the FCA reviewed, victims did not disclose the true reason for making a payment when asked.

A key area of improvement is for firms to ensure their staff are trained to spot red flags and critically probe customer explanations, the regulator said. It added that this was not consistent across all firms.

In 15 per cent of the cases reviewed, customers had previously been victims of fraud while banking with the same firm, highlighting the need for tailored protections and ongoing monitoring, the regulator said.

In a quarter (25 per cent) of cases, victims were coerced into getting funds from various sources, including new loans, borrowing from friends and family or liquidating their personal assets.

The regulator identified cases where victims were left in a financially vulnerable situation, with one entering an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA).

In one case in the FCA’s review, someone made 403 payments to a fraudster over the course of a year, resulting in losses of more than £72,000.

Another case involved a victim telling bank staff they intended to send cryptocurrency payments to Iraq, claiming it was the only method accepted by their “partner” in the military.

But it said many firms were providing a high level of support, occasionally exceeding the FCA’s expectations, through compassionate and tailored engagement.

Steve Smart, executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, said: “Romance fraud is a vicious crime. All too often it is the vulnerable that fall victim. The impact – financially and personally – can be devastating.

“We recognise the challenge banks and payment firms have in combating this complex crime and this review aims to help them stay one step ahead of the criminals.

“We also all need to be on guard so we can protect ourselves and loved ones by recognising the romance fraud red flags.”

The FCA said it saw positive examples of banks and payment firms going above and beyond. One firm made 11 calls over a six-week period to support a victim, demonstrating a commitment to breaking the fraudster’s hold and restoring customer confidence, the regulator said.

Another responded with care to a victim who had recently divorced and was supporting a child undergoing cancer treatment, it said. They proceeded to closely monitor the victim’s account.

Highlighting red flags of romance fraud, the FCA said alarm bells should ring if a person who you have only dealt with online asks for money or suggests investments.

Asking for lots of personal information is another potential warning sign.

People can use image checkers to see if the photo of the person they believe they are talking to has been taken from elsewhere.

People should report scams to the police and their bank or building society. Speaking to the account provider as soon as possible may help it to claw back any losses and prevent further payments going out.

Michelle Pilsworth, head of fraud and complaints, Santander UK, said: “Since January, we’ve seen nearly £5.5 million stolen by scammers through romance fraud alone.

“These criminals will invest time in building an emotional connection, before asking for money they’ll claim is needed for food, medical treatment, or an investment opportunity. We’re also increasingly seeing them asking for gift cards.

“The lengths these scammers go to, to earn a consumer’s trust, make these one of the most distressing scams, leaving people feeling emotional and financially vulnerable.

“At Santander, we have a dedicated ‘break the spell’ team, a specialist fraud prevention unit that works with customers who are being manipulated by scammers, particularly in cases of romance scams.

“In the first six months of this year, the team stopped scammers stealing a further £3.5 million from our customers.”

Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director, Lloyds, said: “Taking advantage of people who are looking for love and companionship, fraudsters play with victims’ emotions when they could be at their most vulnerable.

“Whilst they can be convincing, it’s easy to spot some of the most obvious mistakes these scammers can make. Always take a step back and ask yourself if what they are telling you sounds believable.

“Never in any circumstances, send money to someone you’ve met online. No good relationship starts off in this way, and there aren’t many valid reasons in 2025 why someone can’t speak to you on the phone.

“If you have an older person in your life that is active online, make sure to educate them as best you can on the risks and signs of potential fraudsters looking to take advantage of them.”

Pat Hurley, ombudsman director at the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), said: “Over the past year alone, we’ve received hundreds of complaints about romance scams, often involving scammers deceiving victims and gaining their trust using different online platforms like dating sites and gaming apps.

“It’s important that people understand that there is no shame in falling victim to a romance scam. People don’t need to feel embarrassed, there is help available.”

Nick Sharp, deputy director for fraud at the National Crime Agency, said: “Romance fraud affects people not only financially, but also emotionally, with victims often finding it challenging to contemplate that someone they thought they could trust was not what they thought.

“This makes it one of the most harmful types of fraud that victims face and all the more important that all industries take every opportunity to identify such frauds and develop a victim-centred approach.”

Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: “Banks and payment providers are on the front line to protect their customers from sending money to fraudsters, so it’s good to see the FCA setting out clear expectations for how these firms should protect their customers.

“The regulator must not hesitate to take action against any firms falling short.”

A UK Finance spokesperson said: “Banks are committed to protecting their customers from romance fraud – they invest significant sums and have teams that are trained to spot warning signs.

“The FCA’s review highlights that a lot of good work is done to keep people safe and prevent this awful crime from taking place.

“Firms will take on board the FCA’s findings and look to make any improvements needed to keep even more people safe.”

The spokesperson added: “We need social media and dating sites to take much greater action to address the problem that begins on their platforms.

“To stay safe, it’s important to be open and honest with your bank when they ask you questions regarding your payments.

“And we encourage everyone to follow the advice of the Take Five To Stop Fraud campaign and contact your bank if you are concerned about being a victim of fraud.”