Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Teen drivers hit by Tories
CAR insurance for young drivers has rocketed after controversial government tax and policy changes.
Drivers aged 17 to 24 pay £1,354 on average in their first year, a rise of 8%, says comparethemarket.com
It follows a Tory change to the Ogden discount rate – used to calculate personal injury payouts – alongside a rise in Insurance Premium Tax.
It has had a “significant impact on insurance premiums”, the report said. WITH views over the Zambezi and a floating restaurant, it is easy to see why Prince Harry thought this hotel a fine proposal as he holidayed with girlfriend Meghan Markle in Africa.
And as I visited Tongabezi Lodge in Zambia, it seemed possible he may even have been tempted to make a proposal of his own – as the sumptuous suites there include Honeymoon House.
I was taken inside but as my guide showed me around, he smiled and said: “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to confirm to you which room they stayed in!”
Harry, 32, and Suits actress Meghan, 36, ended their three-week break in Africa at the exclusive site, which costs £1,200 a night. They have been dating for over a year and speculation over a royal engagement has been growing.
The couple have become increasingly close and when they returned to the UK last week, they spent the 20th anniversary of the tragic death of Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, together.
Privacy is crucial for them – and they certainly get that at Tongabezi.
The resort, which is 12 miles from the fabulous Victoria Falls, is very tough to find. I had to drive two miles down a bumpy, dusty track off the main road from Zambia to Botswana.
And when I finally reached the lodge, I had to be let in by a guard.
The resort’s illustrious guests have included the Duke of Westminster, and Tongabezi’s only UK marketing and sales representative is based in Windsor – so perhaps that was where Harry got the idea of visiting.
Yet as I’m shown around, it seems the well-grounded prince would have been particularly happy with his choice.
My guide said: “We treat everyone the same. It doesn’t matter if you’re Prince Harry or anyone else.
STUNNING
“We knew someone important was coming to stay last week but I didn’t know it was the prince until they arrived.
“The Honeymoon House and the Nut House are the ones usually used by couples but I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to let you know which one they used.
“Couples who visit us usually stay in one of those and then spend a night or two at our rooms on an island in the river, which is only accessible by