Dear Editor,  As a deaf person in the UK, navigating everyday life in a hearing world can be a struggle. Common activities like shopping, visiting a hospital or socialising are often full of challenges.  When people aren’t deaf-aware, it can make life a lot more difficult. It can be so isolating and really knocks your confidence.

The University of Sunderland and Santander have signed an agreement to double the support the global bank offers to students to help them fulfil their potential. Their long-running partnership, which has already seen Santander support hundreds of Sunderland students, will offer £100,000 of financial support each year until 2026-2027.

The UK risks falling further behind Europe on prostate cancer survival rates without the introduction of a national screening programme, a leading surgeon has warned - as new data shows early detection could significantly improve outcomes.

Phase one of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) comes into force on 1 May 2026, and with it brings about the most significant overhaul of the private rental sector in a generation. While the Act will see new responsibilities introduced, it will also offer an opportunity for landlords to strengthen their practices with a clear compliance regulation to adhere to and expectations to reach.

An estimated 2 million UK children are being locked out of live music, with cost and location preventing access for two in five primary school pupils, according to new research from music charity Playground Proms.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) says that, despite a small reduction in the number of recorded shoplifting offences in England and Wales, the figures are still shocking.

Sara Cox is today announced as the new host of the weekday Breakfast Show (6.30-9.30am) on BBC Radio 2, the UK’s most popular single radio station, with a weekly audience of 12.7m (RAJAR, Q4, 2025). Sara, who currently hosts the station’s weekday Teatime show (4-7pm), will launch her first show this summer.

Candlelighters, the charity supporting children with cancer across Yorkshire, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a fundraising campaign. Since its inception in 1976, the charity has been a beacon of hope for thousands of families, and is now calling on the public to take on a '50-themed' challenge, to ensure no family faces childhood cancer alone.

Fresh plans for a strategic link road between the A66 and the A1(M) in County Durham have been published, marking a significant step forward for the long-awaited infrastructure project. The Darlington Northern Link Road is designed to divert heavy goods vehicles and commuter traffic away from the A1150 and A167, reducing congestion in residential areas of north Darlington.

New TUC survey findings published today reveal 8 in 10 workers have experienced abuse at work in the past year. 45% of surveyed workers have experienced threats of physical harm in the last 12 months. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak says “ministers must prioritise HSE funding to keep workers safe”.

Entrepreneurs behind ground-breaking agricultural innovations will be celebrated at the Great Yorkshire Show, to inspire new ideas for game-changing farming practices. Entries are open until 11 May 2026 for the Great Yorkshire Show Innovation Awards across five categories.

New survey asks 2,085 business decision makers about their confidence, their major concerns, and technological adoption The survey finds a negative view of the economic outlook, with those working in SMEs more pessimistic.However, when asked about their own prospects for the next 12 months, business decision makers are broadly positive. More than half (56%) say they are concerned about business costs and interest rates. UK businesses are more likely to expect a rise in revenue rather than a decline over the next 12 months

Invalid Care Allowance, now Carer’s Allowance, was first introduced at the rate of £7.90 a week in 1976. Fifty years on Carer’s Allowance, paid to those caring for a minimum of 35 hours per week, is worth £86.45 a week (2026/27 financial year). If Carer’s Allowance had kept pace with increases in earnings, carers would receive an extra £36.93 each week or £160.46 a month on average.

Equity markets rally after US and Iran agree a two-week ceasefire with FTSE 100 opening up 1.5%. UK Gas prices fall sharply but still remain a third higher as Shell forecasts a cut to gas production in the first quarter. Brent Crude initially falls sharply, as Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen but has been rising again. Inflationary pressures still remain, given energy costs are still significantly higher compared to before the outbreak of war. There are warnings that the jet fuel squeeze will continue for months even if there’s a longer-term agreement.

The Countryside Alliance’s latest investigation has revealed that in 2025 nearly 4,000 crimes were committed on church property as well as other religious premises. Figures were obtained by the Countryside Alliance as part of its continuous campaign to focus attention on rural churches and increase funding for security at places of worship.

Three in four parents fear their child can't make safe online privacy choices, new research shows. Yet most rarely, if ever, talk to them about it. Every day, primary school kids tap 'accept' on apps, games and websites - usually without realising how much personal information they may be sharing as a result. A single click can reveal far more than a name.

YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) release latest consumer confidence index data, covering March 2026. Forward looking measure of how people see their household finances records biggest drop since August 2022. Job security perceptions for the past thirty days were both negative and lower than the previous month

Eight years ago, Luke Pentith and Jess Slater were making 30 bottles at a time in a tiny utility room. Today, they are inviting people to be part of the next chapter. Whitby Distillery has opened pre-registration for a new £200,000 crowdfunding round on Seedrs, which will help complete the final stage of its new distillery beside Whitby Abbey, which is scheduled to open in April next year.

Barnsley is increasingly being recognised as a town that has mastered the art of a great night out – one that feels vibrant, sociable and welcoming to all. Since the introduction of The Glass Works to the town centre, the evening economy in Barnsley has grown in confidence year after year, underpinned by a strong commitment to create an inclusive environment for residents and visitors alike.

Ahead of the local elections on 7 May, new research commissioned by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) with Ipsos reveals that the majority of the public think proposed new electoral reforms could have a positive effect on turnout.

With a cathedral older than many nations and a cultural landscape including a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ripon has launched its bid for UK Town of Culture 2028.

Three quarters of people in northern England underestimate how many people are diagnosed with epilepsy each day, new research has revealed. A survey released ahead of Purple Day (26th March) has highlighted widespread misunderstanding about the condition across the region.

Government tells HS2 Ltd to consider options that could save billions and bring the railway into service sooner. The ongoing review will consider how to get passengers on trains sooner and deliver some of the fastest high-speed trains in Europe. Scheme supports national renewal – with delivery focusing on increased capacity, reliable trains with increased frequency whilst supporting thousands of jobs and adding billions to the economy.