A Will Aid poll has revealed 63% of people in the North West believe the law of intestacy should be changed to offer legal protections for unmarried couples without a Will; now public support for change could soon translate into action.

Under current rules, unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit if their partner dies without a Will, leaving many in financially vulnerable situations.

Now, with the Government confirming it will consult on reforming cohabitation laws this year, public support for change could soon translate into action.

A poll by Will writing scheme Will Aid, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the UK, showed the majority of Brits want intestacy laws to reflect modern relationships.

When asked if the law should be changed so there are legal protections for couples that aren't married and don't have a Will, 63% of people in the North West agreed.

Nationally, the figures showed 65% of people agreed the law should be changed. And three-quarters of cohabiting couples surveyed were unaware of what would happen to their assets if they passed away without a Will.

Speaking to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee, Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, the minister in charge of family justice, marriage, and divorce, confirmed recently that a formal consultation will take place this year to:- "build public consensus on what cohabitation reform should look like."

This marks a shift from the previous Government's stance, which delayed reform until changes to marriage and divorce laws were completed.

Karishma Dimple Dhaliah-Haulkory, lead solicitor at Portway Solicitors, said:- "Many of today's laws were written in an era with more traditional views on relationships, often centring around marriage and nuclear families. However, modern relationships take many forms, including:- cohabiting partners, blended families, and same sex couples. Legal recognition should extend beyond conventional definitions to provide equal protections for all individuals, regardless of how they choose to build their families. By adapting laws to reflect the reality of modern relationships, society can create a legal system that is more just, equitable, and responsive to the needs of the people it serves."

The annual Will Aid campaign sees solicitors across the UK volunteering their time to write Wills throughout November, so it is an ideal time for people who are cohabiting to get their wishes professionally drafted in a legal document, which will help to protect their loved ones in the future.

Peter de Vena Franks, Campaign Director for Will Aid, said:- "Our poll shows the majority of people in the UK want intestacy laws to reflect modern relationships. Cohabiting couples are the fastest-growing family type, yet they remain unprotected under the current system. With the Government now looking at reform, we hope to see real progress. In the meantime, we urge people to protect their loved ones by making a Will."

Will Aid is a partnership between the legal profession and 7 of the UK's best loved charities.

The initiative, which has been running for more than 30 years, sees participating solicitors waive their fee for writing basic Wills every November.

Instead, they invite clients to make an upfront donation to Will Aid; the suggested amounts are £100 for a single basic Will and £180 for a pair of basic:- 'mirror' Wills.

People can sign up to receive an email when the 2025 campaign goes live by visiting:- WillAid.Org.UK/Early-Bird.

Donations raised during the campaign are shared by Will Aid's partner charities, which operate both here in the UK and around the world.

For more information on Will Aid and how to get involved visit:- WillAid.Org.UK.

RAIL, shuttle bus and ferry services are to be stepped up for the second Everton Stadium test event later this month.

At least 25,000 fans are expected at the under 21 friendly match on:- Sunday, 23 March 2025; both to see the game and to experience the new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of its full opening later this year.

Under the co-ordination of a Transport Working Group chaired by Everton Football Club, the Combined Authority is continuing to work closely with local partners including:- Liverpool City Council, Merseyrail, bus operators and Merseyside Police to help plan transport and ensure journeys to and from the new stadium are as easy, smooth and safe as possible.

Transport services will be stepped up ahead of and following the match, which kicks off, at:- 2pm, with additional trains to nearby Sandhills station and an increased number of shuttle bus services to and from Everton Stadium.

Plans include a special 5pm direct Mersey Ferries sailing between the:- Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal, at Liverpool's Pier Head and Seacombe; a service which could become a regular matchday feature if passenger numbers are high enough.

The new stadium is also easily accessible on foot from Liverpool City Centre. Fans are being asked to plan their journeys and think about the best mode of travel for them.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- "Everton's new stadium is a massive moment; not just for the club, but for the regeneration of North Liverpool. We want to make sure fans can get to and from matches easily, safely, and sustainably, while keeping disruption to local residents to a minimum. That's why we're working closely with Everton, transport operators, the Council, and, most importantly, supporters themselves, to make sure we get this right. The test events are a key part of that; helping us see what works, what doesn't, and what needs improving before the 1st league game in August. We've already made changes based on fan feedback, including:- putting on additional transport services, and we'll keep listening. This is about making sure we get the best matchday experience possible; not just for Evertonians, but for the whole City Region."

Everton's Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Stadium Development Officer Colin Chong said:- "All parties are united and working together, in consultation with supporters, to ensure the matchday and non-matchday experience at Everton Stadium is the best it can be. That starts with travel to and from the stadium and an area of the City that is set for huge regeneration in the decades ahead. Our test events are designed to stress test the stadium and also understand supporter behaviours in terms of how they reach the stadium. We have taken a lot from the 1st event and I have no doubt we will learn even more later this month when we open our doors to almost two-thirds as many Evertonians for the second test event. The importance of travel to supporters, especially those with accessibility needs, is not lost on anyone. We have already taken on board fan feedback from that event and, alongside our colleagues from the local Council, combined authority and transport authorities, have committed to continue open dialogue and to enhance communication around transport as we welcome more and more people."

Sunday rail services are to be increased before and after the event, with Merseyrail trains running every:- 15 minutes; instead of the normal 30 minutes; on the Hunts Cross, Southport and Ormskirk branches of the Northern Line, with 8 car trains operating where possible. Services on the Wirral Line will run to a normal Sunday timetable.

As well as commercial bus services, an increased number of shuttle buses will operate ahead of and following the event; both from Liverpool City Centre and Bootle bus station with park and ride options available at both locations.

Public transport services have been strengthened both ahead of the kick-off time of:- 2pm, and the end of the event. Anyone leaving the stadium between these times needs to be aware that normal Sunday services will be in operation.

More information specific to the second test event, including:- details on travel, parking and the matchday experience, will be communicated to ticketholders by Everton directly.

Key travel advice:-

• Plan your journey in advance; to ensure you can get where you want to go and back home again.
  

• Walk or cycle if you can; the stadium is within easy walking and cycling distance of Liverpool City Centre with plenty of cycle parking available for supporters to use.
  

• Check before you travel; Sunday timetables can be different to the rest of the week, with some services running less frequently.
  

• Leave more time for your journeys; services may be busy and you may need to queue so try to allow enough time to catch a later service if you don't make the 1 you expect.
  

• Buy travel tickets in advance; many tickets can be purchased ahead of time or online, speeding up your journey. Saveaway tickets can be used on all services.
  

• Be patient; services to and from the stadium may take longer than usual.
  

• Be kind to staff; staff will be working hard to keep services running and on hand to provide help and travel advice.
  

• Although the event is being hosted on a Sunday, Merseyrail will have an amended timetable in place, stepping up from 30-minute to 15 minute services running on the:- Southport, Ormskirk and Headbolt Lane lines. Wherever possible capacity will be increased with 8 car trains. All other lines will be a 30 minute services as usual.
  

• If you're travelling by train from:- North Liverpool or Sefton on Merseyrail's Northern Line, you can get off at Sandhills which is around a 15 minute walk to the stadium.
  

• If you're travelling by train from other parts of the City Region we recommend you use:- Moorfields or James Street Station, which is around 30 minutes' walk to the stadium.
  

• At Sandhills and Liverpool City Centre Stations, a crowd flow management system, similar to ones used for other major events in the City Region, will be in place to help make journeys smoother and safer.
  

• Northern operate reduced services on a Sunday due to an on-going industrial dispute, which can also lead to short notice cancellations. Please check direct for the latest information just before you travel.
  

• Mainline and City Line... Lime Street Station will be open as usual.
  

• Trains will be running to Sunday timetables.

Bus:-

Commercial services... There are a number of commercial bus services that serve the area near to the Stadium including:- 54/ 54A, 56, 58/ 58A, mainly along Vauxhall Road. Customers should note that these will be operating to Sunday timetables.

Shuttle buses... There will be 3 commercially operated shuttle bus services on matchdays, running from 2 hours before kick-off and then from the end of the test event, but not during the match. These include:-

• 919 Service from / to Commutation Row (Close to Lime Street)
  

• City Centre Pick up and Drop Off: Commutation Row
  

• Stadium Drop off; Great Howard Street at Blackstone Street
  

• Stadium Pick Up: Great Howard Street at Bentinck Street
  

• 929 Service from / to Liverpool 1 Bus Station
  

• City Centre Pick Up and Drop Off: Liverpool 1 Bus Station
  

• Stadium Drop off; Great Howard Street at Blackstone Street
  

• Stadium Pick Up: Great Howard Street, north of Denbigh Street
  

• 939 Service from / to Bootle Strand Bus Station.
  

• Bootle Pick-Up and Drop Off: Bootle Bus Station, Washington Parade (Strand Shopping Centre)
  

• Stadium Drop Off: Derby Road at Wellington Employment Park, north of Blackstone Street
  

• Stadium Pick Up: Derby Road, north of Boundary Street

Please note if using these services, we will ensure relevant signage is in place at each pick up location.

Accessible Shuttle Service... A free shuttle bus service will operate for supporters with accessible needs, between Sandhills Station (Sandhills Lane) and Boundary Street (around 175 metres from Everton Stadium), before and after matches. This service must be booked in advance by contacting the Accessibility Team at Everton on 0151 556 1878 (option 1, then 2, followed by 3).

The 919, 929 and 939 shuttle buses, outlined above, also stop at stadium bus stops and Boundary St (at Royal Crest Hotel), for those with limited mobility.

More information can be found at:- EvertonFC.Com.

Mersey Ferries -

Mersey Ferries will operate a Sunday timetable, starting at:- 10am, from:- Pier Head, then:- 10.20am, at Seacombe, until the last sailing at:- 4pm. The stadium is a 30 mins walk from the Pier Head.

Mersey Ferries have arranged a special service at:- 5pm, from Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal, at Liverpool Pier Head to Seacombe for match goers who wish to use the Ferry and walk to and from the Stadium. If used frequently enough this could be a new service to serve future match events at the New Stadium.

Mersey Tunnels -

• The Queensway Tunnel (Birkenhead) will open as usual all day and night.
  

• The Kingsway Tunnel (Wallasey) will open as usual for the majority of the day but will close for essential maintenance at 19:00 hours, 3 hours after the end of the match. Please plan this if travelling through the Kingsway Tunnel.

Car parking -

Liverpool City Council have made changes to the parking scheme around the new Everton stadium.