Reeves plots £1bn cut to Motability scheme in Budget

Rachel Reeves is planning to restrict disabled people’s access to cars through the benefits system in a bid to save £1bn, it has emerged.

The chancellor is reportedly considering reforming the Motability scheme in a bid to save money and boost public confidence in the welfare system.

She is said to be ready to axe tax breaks worth around £1bn each year in next month’s Budget, cutting an exemption which lets cars leased under the scheme avoid paying VAT or insurance premium tax.

And, in another change, luxury cars including Mercedes and BMWs could be removed from the scheme, The Times reports.

It comes as the chancellor has been warned by the Institute for Fiscal Studies that she needs to find at least £22bn of tax hikes or spending cuts in her November Budget in order to avoid a financial “groundhog day”.

The Motability scheme provides cars to around 815,000 users, including around 40,000 luxury vehicles. It is open to people who claim a qualifying mobility allowance, most commonly through the personal independence payment (PIP).

But it has come under fire in recent months, and formed a major part of Kemi Badenoch’s speech at the Conservative Party conference, with critics claiming online “sickfluencers” are teaching people to game the system in order to claim free cars.

In her speech in Manchester, Ms Badenoch said: “Those cars are not for people with ADHD.”

While her shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said: “Millions are getting benefits for anxiety and ADHD, along with a free Motability car.

“TikTok videos tell you how – and some people even pay for VIP services to boost their chances of a successful benefits claim.”

Disability groups slammed the proposed changes, saying they would make life more expensive for those with serious health conditions.

But sources told The Times the changes are about fairness, not simply cost-cutting. One pointed out that the Motability Foundation, which oversees the scheme, paid its chief executive £658,000 last year, while it made a £748m profit in 2023. That fell to a £565m loss last year.

It currently costs taxpayers £2.8bn, and sees a portion of a claimant’s disability benefits spent on a new car.

Emma Vogelmann, co-chief executive of the Transport for All disability group, said public transport is “often unusable” for disabled people, with broken pavements and “non-existent bus routes”.

“A Motability car changes that – it allows us to work, shop, and do the school run. Scaling back the scheme would lock disabled people away from daily life. Does the chancellor want to take away our freedom?” she said.

Meanwhile, charity Scope warned the changes could “heap extra costs onto disabled people all over Britain”.

“Restricting eligibility to Motability could hit disabled people on lower incomes hard,” strategy director James Taylor told The Independent.

Reform UK has also attacked the Motability scheme, with policy head Zia Yusuf saying spending on the scheme has “spiralled out of control”.

“The Motability schemes were designed to support those with genuine, life-limiting disabilities, and many of those exploiting these schemes are not even physically disabled. Targeted support must only go to those who truly need it,” he said.

The former head of Motability at the Department for Work and Pensions, Matt Ryder, has also called on the chancellor to reassess whether the subsidies given to the scheme are “giving genuine value for money”.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We do not comment on speculation around changes to tax outside of fiscal events.”

Palestine Action can continue legal challenge over terror ban after Home Office loses appeal

Palestine Action can proceed with a legal challenge against the government over the group’s ban as a terror organisation, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Founder Huda Ammori took legal action against former home secretary Yvette Cooper’s decision to proscribe the group under anti-terror laws.

The ban, which began on 5 July, made supporting the direct action group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Around 2,000 protesters have so far been arrested and face possible charges under the Terrorism Act for defying the controversial ban in a series of major demonstrations.

Ms Ammori was initially granted permission to launch a judicial review by Mr Justice Chamberlain, after finding that two parts of her case were “reasonably arguable”.

However, in September, the Home Office brought a challenge against this decision to the Court of Appeal in London.

Barristers for the Home Office argued Ms Ammori should bring her legal challenge to the home secretary and then the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission (POAC), rather than the High Court for a “judicial review”.

Lawyers for Ms Ammori insisted the POAC was not the only suitable place to challenge the lawfulness of a ban.

On Friday, the Home Office’s bid to halt the judicial review was dismissed in a ruling by Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, which Ms Ammori hailed as a “landmark victory” for her case.

Baroness Carr concluded: “Judicial review would be a quicker means of challenging the order proscribing Palestine Action than applying to deproscribe.

“Judicial review would enable the High Court to give an authoritative judgment on whether or not it was lawful to proscribe Palestine Action.

“That judgment could then be relied on in criminal courts hearing charges against any person arrested in connection with their support of Palestine Action.”

Following the judges’ ruling, Ms Ammori said: “The Court of Appeal has rightly rejected Yvette Cooper’s attempt to block a legal review of her absurdly authoritarian ban, while granting us additional grounds on which to challenge it.

“This is a landmark victory: not only against one of the most extreme attacks on civil liberties in recent British history, but for the fundamental principle that government ministers can and must be held accountable when they act unlawfully.”

In a 37-page judgment, Baroness Carr, sitting with Lord Justice Edis and Lord Justice Lewis, said the process of applying for deproscription and appealing against a refusal at POAC “is intended to deal with another situation”.

Baroness Carr said the process “is not intended to be a means of challenging the initial decision to proscribe and does not provide for the removal of the consequences of an initial decision to proscribe an organisation”.

She added: “We consider that the fact that judicial review would be a more expeditious means of challenging the order, given the public importance of the issues raised, and, in particular, the fact that persons were facing convictions for acting in ways made criminal as a consequence of the order, justified using judicial review rather than the process of applying for an order to remove Palestine Action from the list of proscribed organisations.”

Almost 500 peaceful protesters were hauled away by police for holding placards declaring “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action” at the most recent demonstration against the ban in Trafalgar Square earlier this month, bringing the total arrested to roughly 2,000.

On Thursday, Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said building cases against so many protesters is placing a “big burden” on counterterrorism officers. At least 138 have so far been charged under the Terrorism Act.

Protest organisers Defend Our Juries have promised a “major escalation” in their campaign ahead of the judicial review on 25 November, after Shabana Mahmood announced a further crackdown on “large, repeated protests”.

‘It’s a trickle but we need a flood’: Gaza still not seeing enough aid despite ceasefire

One week into the Gaza ceasefire and there is still not enough aid going into the north of the war-torn enclave, with infectious diseases “spiralling out of control”, humanitarian organisations have warned.

Around 560 metric tons of food have entered the Gaza Strip per day since the US-brokered ceasefire came into effect last Friday, but levels in the first week have been described as a “trickle – not the flood needed”. UN humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher has said thousands of aid vehicles would have to enter weekly to tackle widespread malnutrition, homelessness and a collapse of infrastructure.

Aid groups now face growing uncertainty over crossing closures and administrative challenges as queues of trucks amass at the southern border. They have also not been allowed to bring food and medicine in through the major Rafah crossing, which has largely remained closed since the conflict erupted in 2023.

Israel threatened to keep the crossing shut and reduce aid this week, accusing Hamas of returning the bodies of hostages too slowly. On the first day of the ceasefire, more than 500 aid trucks entered Gaza, Israel said. But in a major setback, Israel’s military aid agency COGAT this week said it would halve the number allowed in from 600 daily to 300.

With Gaza’s civilian population still facing hunger, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that they were working in a “narrow window of opportunity” to scale up deliveries as others said millions of pounds worth of aid was sitting in warehouses waiting to go in.

The issue is particularly impacting northern Gaza, where aid convoys are struggling to reach famine-hit areas. Around 950 trucks entered south and central Gaza on Thursday via the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings with Israel, the UN’s humanitarian coordination agency said, citing figures from Israel’s military aid agency COGAT presented to mediators.

But the WFP said it had not begun distributions in Gaza City, pointing to the continued closure of two border crossings, Zikim and Erez, with Israel in the north of the enclave where the humanitarian debacle is most acute.

Oxfam said on Friday it has more than $2.5m worth of lifesaving aid sitting in warehouses outside Gaza and ready to distribute.

Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s policy lead in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Gaza, said: “Right now, a trickle of aid is entering Gaza, when what is needed is a flood. The ceasefire promised access to aid organisations, yet many international NGOs with decades of experience remain blocked from entering and doing their jobs.”

Multiple aid groups say that bureaucracy is proving an obstacle in delivering the aid to where it is most needed.

In March, Israel announced a registration process for all humanitarian organisations working in the Palestinian territories. Any groups seen to be “delegitimising” Israel, or employing someone who has called for a boycott of Israel in the last seven years, could lose their authorisation to operate.

Milena Murr, spokesperson for aid group Mercy Corps, told The Independent it was exploring “every possible avenue” to scale up their response.

“However, we continue to face bureaucratic challenges linked to the interim period of the re-registration process, which has not been implemented as initially envisioned,” she said. “While these administrative barriers persist, our teams continue to focus on service delivery and will be prepared to move lifesaving assistance into Gaza and distribute it the moment access is granted.”

Israeli officials said Israel decided to slow aid and delay plans to reopen the border with Egypt because Hamas had been too slow to turn over the remains of dead hostages – an issue that has placed enormous strain on the ceasefire this week.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel “will not compromise” and demanded that Hamas fulfil the requirements laid out in the ceasefire deal about the return of hostages’ bodies.

Food prices in Gaza have meanwhile shot up amid fears the ceasefire will not hold, after coming down last week in anticipation of an armistice.

But food is not the only concern. With medical centres woefully under-supplied, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that infectious diseases in the enclave were “spiralling out of control”.

Hanan Balkhy, regional director for the UN’s health body, told the AFP news agency that there was a “mammoth amount of work” to do to tackle surging health conditions including meningitis and respiratory illnesses.

Balkhy stressed the urgent need for fuel, food, medical equipment, medications, medics and doctors in Gaza, with the enclave’s health system decimated by two years of bombardment. Only 13 of 36 hospitals are even partially functioning despite the cessation of hostilities.

With outbreaks of violence in Gaza in the last week there are fears that there may only be a limited time to deliver the support needed before the ceasefire fails.

Abeer Etefa, spokesperson for the WFP, said: “The ceasefire has opened a narrow window of opportunity, and WFP is moving very quickly and swiftly to scale up food assistance.”

The WFP was able to get some 560 tons of food per day on average into Gaza, she said on Friday, but some areas were still unreachable. The UN has a further 190,000 metric tons of aid waiting and ready to go in.

Etefa said access to the north, including Gaza City, was “extremely challenging”, and that convoys were struggling to navigate damaged or blocked roads from the south.

Then there is the ongoing issue of the Rafah crossing, which had been due to reopen but has yet to do so. COGAT said this was being coordinated between Israel and Egypt in accordance with the ceasefire deal. But a date has still not been set and even when it reopens it will only allow for the movement of people across the border, not aid.

“It should be emphasised that humanitarian aid will not pass through the Rafah Crossing,” a COGAT spokesperson said. “This was never agreed upon at any stage. Humanitarian aid continues to enter the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom Crossing and additional crossings following Israeli security inspection, in full compliance with the signed agreement.

“The IDF, through COGAT, will continue to uphold its commitment to the agreement in accordance with the directives of the political echelon.”

Fraudster couple lived luxury lifestyle after defrauding 3,000 people

A fraudster couple spent £31,500 on an LS Lowry sketch and lived a luxury lifestyle funded by a holiday investment scam that defrauded over 3,000 people of £28m.

The conspiracy, led by Mark Rowe, operated as Sell My Timeshare (SMT), targeting owners desperate to relinquish properties. Investigators said Rowe “put victims up in hotels” and “created fake virtual offices and fake personas” in the fraud, which led to 14 convictions under Operation Destin.

After being lured to meetings at SMT’s Bournemouth, York, Stratford-upon-Avon or Tenerife-based offices under the premise of selling their timeshares, victims instead “endured high-pressure sales meetings, which often lasted up to six hours”, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

The meetings saw victims pushed to trade in their timeshares and make an additional payment for the company’s “monster credits” scheme, which promised discounts on holidays and shopping, as well as the opportunity to trade them with other customers on a dedicated platform.

In many cases, victims took out loans to purchase the credits, typically investing around £8,000, the CPS said.

Victims would later discover that not only were the credits worthless, but in most cases, they still owned and incurred the costs of their timeshares.

In total, 3,583 victims across the UK were defrauded out of £28.1m, with the highest individual loss being £80,000.

Investigators added that nearly 500 victims lost more than £10,000 and that the “vast majority” of victims were between 60 and 80 years old, with some in their nineties.

Senior investigating officer Peter Highway said a “lot of the money was spent on luxury” by managing director Rowe and his wife, Nicola Rowe, who acted as the company’s finance director.

Investigators said the Rowes spent more than £110,000 on private school fees, a house in Hampshire with stables valued at £2.4m, and £26,000 on one private jet trip to Tenerife.

They added that £8m was received into Mark and Nicola Rowe’s personal account, with £185,000 spent at art galleries, including £31,500 for a pencil sketch by LS Lowry.

Rowe, of Los Blanquitos in Tenerife, was sentenced in January to seven-and-a-half years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

His wife, also of Los Blanquitos in Tenerife, will be sentenced on Friday at Southwark Crown Court after pleading guilty to money laundering.

A total of 14 people were convicted following four trials held over two years at Southwark Crown Court – with reporting restrictions in place until Nicola Rowe’s guilty plea.

In a victim impact statement that was read to court during one of the trials, a victim said: “I’m now supposed to be retired and enjoying life, but as a result of being a victim of Mark Rowe’s fraud, my quality of life has been reduced to a struggle – I’m unable to afford to even pay my own rent.

“I’ve been a successful businessman all of my life, but feel that I’ve let my wife down, and I cannot see how I can put this right in the time that we have left.”

Mr Highway, from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, which ran the six-year investigation, said: “The fact so many people were defrauded in this case reflects the lengths Mark Rowe went to both to lure victims to meetings with his criminal sales team and continually invent new methods to deceive them.

“He paid for TV and magazine ads, put victims up in hotels, and even created fake virtual offices and fake personas.”

CPS specialist prosecutor Gayle Ramsey said it had been “a living nightmare” for the victims.

Ms Ramsey said: “These defendants acted in a completely selfish and manipulative manner to make huge sums for themselves and exploited timeshare owners, many of whom were elderly.

“They provided victims with the false hope of disposing of timeshares in exchange for a valuable investment when in reality they were each left tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket after purchasing something which was worthless.”

Ms Ramsey added that the CPS would seek to pursue any money or assets gained by the defendants through their offending.

Following the first trial from October 2023 to October last year, several people were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud including Jodi Beard, 43, of El Roque, Tenerife, who was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years, and Paul Harrison, 55, of Weymouth, who was sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment.

Also found guilty of conspiracy to defraud were Nihat Paul Salih, 57, of Poole, Dorset, who was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment; and Lisa Salih, 56, of Poole, who was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years.

Credits administrator Samantha Macaulay, 52, of San Miguel De Abona, Tenerife, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months after being found guilty of fraud by false representation. Macaulay was found not guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

Following the second trial from October last year to February, Simon Walker, 58, of Costa Adeje in Tenerife, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment and Joanne Physick, 46, of Los Christianos Arona, Tenerife, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud.

After the third trial in June and July, David Taylor, 65, of East Yorkshire, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Joanne Taylor, 53, of East Yorkshire, was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years and Lee Evans, 51, of Preston, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years after both pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

Two people who worked as “senior client advisers”, Barrie Fox, 69, of Worcester, and Josephine Cuthill-Fox, 60, of Worcester, will be sentenced on Friday after also pleading guilty to fraud by false representation.

Max Verstappen lays down first marker with sprint race pole in Austin

Max Verstappen again toppled title-tussling McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to claim pole position for Saturday’s sprint at the United States Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion has tentatively re-emerged as a title contender having beaten the McLaren duo in each of the last three races and closed to within 63 points of championship leader Piastri with six rounds remaining.

McLaren are adamant the Dutchman is a threat in the title race and he again underlined that with a scintillating lap to snatch pole away from Norris at the death by just 0.071 seconds.

Norris comes into the weekend 22 points adrift of Piastri in the standings, having finished ahead of his team-mate at each of the last three races.

The pre-weekend talk has been dominated by McLaren’s declaration that Norris is facing unspecified sporting consequences having been held responsible for the pair banging wheels during the first lap in Singapore a fortnight ago.

He has so far banished all that talk as his quest to overhaul Piastri continues in Austin, where 33 points are up for grabs including eight for winning Saturday’s sprint.

The 25-year-old has appeared to have the edge on the Australian around the sweeping Texas circuit, backing up a blistering pace in the only practice session by topping the first two sessions of sprint qualifying.

He charged to provisional pole as Piastri was over three tenths off his team-mate but it was Verstappen who surged to the top of the charts.

“It worked out well, but I still expect it to be a tough battle tomorrow in the sprint, but that’s I think exactly what we want to see,” Verstappen said.

“I’m excited for tomorrow and happy with today. I hope that we have good pace in the race, but we’ll find out tomorrow.”

Nico Hulkenberg claimed an impressive fourth for Sauber ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.

A “heat hazard” has been declared for the second race in a row, with temperatures on Saturday and Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas forecast to exceed 31 degrees Celsius.

Ferrari endured another difficult session. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both squeezed through to the final part of sprint qualifying at the death but offered no threat to the leading cars, with Hamilton eighth and Leclerc 10th on the grid.

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

Kiss founding member dies weeks after cancelling 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!”

The founding members of Kiss, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, said in a statement: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of Kiss’s legacy. Our thoughts are with Jeanette, Monique and all those who loved him, including our fans around the world.”

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.

Borders chief can’t name a way Brexit helped UK control its borders

The UK’s borders chief was unable to answer when asked by MPs to name any way in which Brexit has helped “control our borders”.

Martin Hewitt, the new border security commander, said he did “not immediately” have an answer to the question.

The pro-Brexit campaign promised that the UK could “take back control” of its borders, but since then the number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats has not decreased.

As the number of crossings hit a record high last month, US president Donald Trump even advised Sir Keir Starmer to “call out the military”.

Mr Hewitt, who has been in post for a year, told MPs on the Commons home affairs committee that the number of arrivals on dangerous small boats was “frustrating” and “really challenging”.

More than 36,000 people have made the perilous journey so far this year, around a third higher than at the same point in 2024.

Asked if there were any examples where Brexit has helped the UK “control our borders, helped you do your job, or helped us reduce the issue of undocumented migrants”, both he and Rob Jones, director general of the National Crime Agency, who was also giving evidence to the committee, were stumped.

After a long pause, Mr Hewitt told MPs: “Certainly not immediately.”

He went on to tell the committee, “I will ponder on that”, and said he would write to them with any answer.

Paul Kohler, the Lib Dem MP who asked the question, told Mr Hewitt he was “not surprised” by his answer.

Mr Hewitt did tell MPs, however, that he saw the potential in the government’s proposed digital ID cards, which it wants to use to tackle illegal working and deter migrants from coming to the UK.

He said: “There is no doubt that having an ability to make it significantly harder for somebody to work illegally is absolutely key. But the concept of a digital ID that makes it even harder for somebody to be in a position to try and work, I think, potentially has an advantage.

“I think it’s going to be really important, and I know that there is a consultation process that’s going to work through how that could work and add value to the work that we’re doing.”

A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: “As the border security commander made clear himself, Brexit’s list of helpful achievements is precisely zero items long. We doubt this will be the last time Farage and Reform are proved wrong. It’s time the public knew about it.”

Mr Hewitt was appointed as the UK’s first border security commander last September, as part of a shake-up when the new Labour government came to power.