HERE are some of the national news headlines for Sunday.

Chancellor to announce £1.3 billion to improve roads


Chancellor Philip Hammond will announce £1.3 billion of improvements to Britain's roads in the Autumn Statement, the Treasury has announced.

Wednesday's mini-Budget will include £1.1 billion to reduce congestion and upgrade local roads and transport networks, alongside £220 million to tackle "pinch points" on England's motorways and major A roads.

Mr Hammond will also green-light a £27 million expressway connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge as recommended by the National Infrastructure Commission.

Northern leaders demand for improved transport funding


Northern politicians have called on Chancellor Philip Hammond to prioritise "northern powerhouse rail" over London's Crossrail 2 in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday.

The Labour figures, including Greater Manchester mayoral candidate Andy Burnham, told Mr Hammond to heed the "wake-up call" of the Brexit vote and invest in new rail infrastructure in the north of England.

The politicians, representing Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Liverpool, said northern motorways are reaching "saturation point" and that train capacity is "at the limit".

Trump 'lined up for state visit to help cement special relationship'


Donald Trump is reportedly being lined up for an invitation to meet the Queen next year as ministers ponder how to cement the "special relationship" and strike a free trade deal with the United States.

The US president-elect reportedly told Theresa May during a phone call last week that his late Scottish mother was a "big fan" of the Queen and the PM could use a 2017 state visit to curry his favour, according to the Sunday Times .

An early visit to the UK from Mr Trump would also allow the Prime Minister to swat away claims that Nigel Farage has closer links to the controversial tycoon, which have been dismissed by Downing Street.

HS2 company withdraws document on gathering personal data


The HS2 high-speed rail company had the power to gather private data on people opposed to the controversial scheme, official documents reportedly said.

It has been forced to withdraw a document that reportedly stated it could gather sensitive information about the opponents' sexual orientation, mental health and political views.

HS2, which is a non-departmental government body, withdrew its publicly-available privacy notice after the Sunday Express found it contained provisions that would allow it to access and "process personal data".

Father of cryogenically-frozen girl slams firms for 'selling false hope'


The father of a girl who won a landmark legal battle to be cryogenically frozen after her death from cancer has criticised firms who practise the technique for "selling false hope".

The terminally ill 14-year-old had her remains frozen and stored in the hope she could be revived in the future after winning a High Court battle shortly before she died.

Her divorced parents were embroiled in a dispute over whether her wish should be granted.

Britain braced for Storm Angus


Storm Angus, the first named storm of the season, has hit the UK with gusts of up to 80mph expected to batter the coast.

The vigorous area of low pressure brought heavy rain to southern areas Saturday night and winds exceeding 50mph.

The storm will push north overnight with the worst of the weather set to hit southeast England on Sunday morning.

15 charged with Heathrow expansion protest


Fifteen people have been charged with wilful obstruction after campaigners against airport expansion staged a protest near Heathrow Airport.

A small group of people ran on to the M4 spur road and lay down in front of oncoming traffic, causing a temporary disruption on Saturday.

Scotland Yard announced on Sunday that 15 people aged between 21 and 67 have been charged with wilful obstruction of the highway.

Joan Collins: Jackie keeping cancer battle private 'good idea'


Dame Joan Collins has said her sister's decision to keep her cancer battle private was a "good idea" as she dedicated an award to the late author.

The former Dynasty star said she understood "perfectly" why Jackie Collins did not talk more openly about her illness after only discovering her sister had breast cancer a fortnight before her death in September 2015.

Dame Joan, who was honoured by the Associates for Breast and Prostate Cancer Studies in Los Angeles, said it was "much better" that Jackie only shared news about her deteriorating health to close family.