Yorkshire Times

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New Research: Britons Are Planning For Retirement – But Almost Half Are Unprepared For Life’s Financial Shocks

New research undertaken by YouGov for UK wealth management and employee benefits firm, Mattioli Woods, reveals that while Britons recognise the importance of planning for their long-term financial future, many do not feel prepared for the major financial shocks and life events that could arise before retirement.

P.ublished 29th September 2026

Northern News 28 September 2026 More Women Looking For Rewarding Careers On The Railway As Northern Sees A Sharp Rise In Job Applications

More women looking for rewarding careers on the railway as Northern sees a sharp rise in job applications More women looking for rewarding careers on the railway as Northern sees a sharp rise in job applications The number of women applying for jobs with Northern has risen significantly, following the launch of a successful recruitment campaign.

P.ublished 29th September 2026

From Heartbreak To Hope

Matthew Rhodes and Joanne Nicholson

A mother and son from York have announced the official launch of adaptable fashion brand EmAble in a bid to help transform the experiences of people battling life-changing health conditions and enduring treatment for chronic illness.

P.ublished 28th September 2026

Bob Davenport : From Gateshead To Newport

Andrew Liddle
Guest Writer

Bob Davenport

Bob Davenport, the powerful Gateshead-born singer who became one of the defining voices of the British folk revival, has died aged 94. For more than six decades, Davenport was an uncompromising champion of traditional song, bringing the music of the North East and the wider British folk tradition to audiences at home and abroad.

P.ublished 28th September 2026

Half Of Teen Girls Avoid School Sport Out Of Fear Of Failure

Teenage girls are spending fewer evenings with friends, feeling isolated in their communities and dodging school sport at higher rates than boys, according to a report into England’s “bedroom generation”.  Polling of 15-year-olds for the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) finds that more than one in five girls (21 per cent) now spends no evenings out with friends during a typical week, compared wi…

P.ublished 28th September 2026

Supporters Of Waspi Compensation Outnumber Opponents Almost Four To One, Major Study Finds

Supporters of compensation for WASPI women outnumber opponents by almost four to one, according to a landmark new analysis of more than 10,000 voters. The research, carried out by Stack Data Strategy among 10,052 adults in Great Britain, found that almost half of voters (47 per cent) believe women affected by State Pension age changes should receive full or partial redress.

P.ublished 28th September 2026

Students Urged To Make Lifesaving Checks

Northern Gas Networks is encouraging university students kick-starting their new term and student life in rented homes to carry out two potentially lifesaving checks.

P.ublished 26th September 2026

Blackpool's Lightpool Festival Celebrates 10 Glorious Years

Blackpool’s renowned public light-art festival, Lightpool Festival returns this October half term (Wednesday 21st - Saturday 31st October 2026) - and celebrates its ten-year anniversary. Staged across the town at a diverse range of indoor and outdoor venues, the magic of light becomes accessible to all.

P.ublished 26th September 2026

Hundreds Of Deaths Each Week Associated With A&E Overcrowding, New Research Suggests

Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

New research is yet more evidence that A&E overcrowding kills, but governments remain too slow to act, says the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).

P.ublished 25th September 2026

Time Is Back On Clotherholme Road

Ripon Grammar Schol

After some four decades of silence, "Clotherholme's Big Ben" is chiming again, thanks to a new caretaker who gave up his weekends to bring it back to life. For the better part of half a century, the clock above Ripon Grammar School has been right twice a day. Now it is right all the time.

P.ublished 25th September 2026

Passengers With Mobility Scooters Can Now Travel On All Types Of Northern Trains With Free Permit

Photo: Northern

Passengers with mobility scooters are now able to travel on all of the different types of trains in Northern’s fleet with a free permit. It comes after the train operator updated its rules to allow smaller mobility scooters on Class 158 trains.

P.ublished 25th September 2026

More Than 115 Venues Serve Up Offers For York Restaurant Week

PHoto: York BID

York’s biggest celebration of dining out returns next month, and you can now explore hundreds of offers from more than 115 venues across the city. York Restaurant Week will run from Monday 5th to Sunday 18th October 2026, with 244 specially created offers available at restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, hotels and street-food venues.

P.ublished 24th September 2026

Letter To The Editor: Public Transport Inaccessible

Dear Editor, Like most of us, I don’t think twice before hopping on a bus or train to go to work, meet friends or do a spot of shopping. However, for millions of people across the country who are deaf or have hearing loss, barriers on public transport can make even every day journeys feel impossible.

P.ublished 24th September 2026

Half Marathon Triumph For Teen Stroke Victim Tom

A teenager who had to learn to walk again after a devastating stroke has smashed his first half marathon to raise money for the hospital that helped save his life. Ripon Grammar School boarding student Tom Davies, 17, from Catterick, had to learn to both walk and talk again after suffering an intracerebral haemorrhage during a swimming training session when he was 14.

P.ublished 23rd September 2026

Charities Warn Of Redundancies As Rising Costs Outpace Funding

Almost all charities surveyed say current funding levels are not keeping pace with costs. Half are considering redundancies, while three-quarters report falling income over the past year.

P.ublished 23rd September 2026

Housing Wealth: The Fortune The North Won't Touch

Millions of older homeowners are sitting on a retirement lifeline worth hundreds of thousands of pounds — but as Andrew Palmer reports the research shows those in the North are far less likely than southerners to ever consider using it It sounds like a story about poverty.

P.ublished 23rd September 2026

Y Cewri Launches To Improve Digital Access For The 1 In 4 People In The UK WHO Are Disabled

Joanna Goodwin

New Wales-based consultancy Y Cewri has launched as latest government figures show that one in four people in the UK are now disabled, highlighting the growing need for organisations to create products, services and digital experiences that work for everyone.

P.ublished 22nd September 2026

Wizard-Themed Mini Golf Venue Offering Free Entry To Schools In LS1 And LS2

A warm welcome as guests check in for mini golf

The Hole in Wand has today announced a new initiative to support Leeds schools. It’s offering free visits to Year 6 classes from any school with an LS1 or LS2 postcode. The venue, in St John’s Centre, blends hands-on activities with immersive storytelling, giving pupils a unique opportunity to explore themes linked to literacy, creativity, teamwork, problem‑solving, and local Leeds heritage.

P.ublished 21st September 2026

Business Crucial To Burnham’s Devolution Next Steps

Next month’s Budget should outline plans to put businesses at the heart of the next stage of devolution, to deliver growth, investment and higher living standards, according to a new report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

P.ublished 21st September 2026

Community Rallies To Say Thank You To Sir Robert Ogden Unit

(L-R) Danny, Miles, Linsay, Lucy, Fiona Collinson (consultant), Phil and Yvonne.

A heartfelt donation has been made to the Sir Robert Ogden Unit in Harrogate, in thanks for the extraordinary care they gave to Sarah Hargreaves during her cancer treatment — the latest chapter in a story of love, gratitude and community spirit that has touched hundreds of people. Sarah was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2025, which later spread to her liver.

P.ublished 18th September 2026

Long-Awaited Appointment Of Public Inquiry Chair Offers Hope To Individuals And Families Affected By Failings At TEWV NHS Foundation Trust

Law firm Ison Harrison, which represents hundreds of patients and bereaved families affected by failings at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV), has today welcomed the appointment of His Honour Judge John Potter as chair of the statutory public inquiry into the Trust's services.

P.ublished 18th September 2026

MP And His Dog To Cut The Ribbon On New Secure Dog Field Near Wombleton

Kevin Hollinrake and ZuZu will officially open Ryedale's newest doggy retreat on 1 October A new secure dog exercise field opening near Wombleton this October will be officially launched by local MP Kevin Hollinrake and his dog ZuZu, who are due to cut the ribbon at 4pm on Thursday 1 October.

P.ublished 18th September 2026

Expanded Jobs Guarantee Could Bring £4.6bn Long Run Boost To Public Finances As TUC Urges Ministers To Put “Turbo-Boosters” On Scheme

TUC calls for an expanded Jobs Guarantee at the heart of the government's plan to tackle the NEET crisis. A scaled-up Jobs Guarantee scheme with 225,000 places over three years would generate almost £4.6bn in long-term benefits, and support thousands of young people into sustained employment. Every £1 of government spending would generate around £2.69 in long-term returns to the Exchequer.

P.ublished 17th September 2026

Food Inflation Set To Almost Double As 2027 Storm Clouds Gather, Industry Forecaster Warns

Grocery bills that have crept up modestly this year are on course for a far sharper rise, with food inflation forecast to almost double by 2027 as extreme weather, energy costs and supply chain disruption converge on the food system.

P.ublished 16th September 2026

1,500 People Quit Work To Care For Older And Disabled Relatives Every Day, 150% Increase In Seven Years

Image: Matthias Zomer on Pexels

New polling by Opinium for Carers UK reveals that 3.33 million people have given up work to care for a family member or friend who is older, disabled or seriously ill, with 1.1 million leaving their job in the last two years alone – more than 1,500 people a day.

P.ublished 16th September 2026

UK Labour Market Holds Steady As Redundancies Rise And Real Pay Stalls

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Employment and unemployment rates unchanged in the three months to July, but vacancies fall for another quarter and youth joblessness remains stubbornly high

P.ublished 15th September 2026

Yorkshire’s Housing Market Sees An Unexpected Summer Bounce

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Yorkshire’s property market has enjoyed a busy summer, with data from the county’s largest independent estate agent, Dacre, Son & Hartley, revealing it agreed 32% more home sales across its office network in August compared with the same month last year.

P.ublished 15th September 2026

UK Domestic Energy Production Faces Critical Challenge

The UK stands to lose a multi-billion-pound economic opportunity and risks letting investment, jobs and energy security slip away, say the authors of the 2026 Economic Report from Offshore Energies UK Energy security is national security in an increasingly volatile world where conflict in the Middle East is constricting global oil and gas supply.

P.ublished 15th September 2026

Retired People Are Gifting And Spending More As IHT Concerns Grow, New Survey Reveals

One in five expect to face an IHT bill but are unclear about tax planning. Nearly half gift what they want when they want, while one in three are not aware of the seven-year rule on gifts

P.ublished 14th September 2026

July Growth Beats Expectations As Britain Braces For A Harder Autumn

GDP rose 0.4% as ONS data show resilience — though analysts caution the calm may not survive a turbulent autumn of rising energy costs and bond-market turmoil. The UK economy grew by 0.4% in July, official figures from the Office for National Statistics showed, extending a pattern of steadier-than-expected performance through the first half of the year.

P.ublished 11th September 2026

New British-Built Trains To Transform Railways And Reindustrialise Britain

Passengers across the North will benefit from faster, more reliable journeys thanks to an around £1 billion investment in new trains, as the government puts passengers back at the heart of the railway.

P.ublished 11th September 2026

Rail Industry Advice for Customers Affected by Air Traffic Control Issues

To support customers affected by airline disruption due to the recent air traffic outage, National Rail has agreed some flexibility for ticket holders. Customers can use their rail tickets to travel at alternative times, or get a fee-free refund.

P.ublished 9th September 2026

Aviva And Chase Lead Surprise Comeback As Britain's Big Names Win Back Trust

Andrew Palmer
Group Editor

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

New index shows established brands recovering fastest from customer discontent, while debt charity StepChange records a near-perfect score at one of the hardest moments in people's financial lives, writes Andrew Palmer The challengers were supposed to be winning this fight. This month, the old guard hit back.

P.ublished 9th September 2026

Yorkshire Farmers Call For Homegrown Food Targets On Back British Farming Day

Image by Alexa from Pixabay

Yorkshire farmers calling for homegrown food targets on Back British Farming Day as new NFU research reveals Britain is producing less food than it did 30 years ago. The UK’s self-sufficiency in 10 out of 11 everyday foods, such as wheat, vegetables, beef, poultry meat and eggs have fallen in the last 30 years, the Ready to Grow report reveals.

P.ublished 9th September 2026

UK Housing Market Stagnates

Image by Satheesh Sankaran from Pixabay

The latest Lloyds House Price Index reports that average UK house prices fell by 0.2% in August and by 0.4% on an annual basis. This was the first year-on-year decrease since November 2023. According to Emeritus Professor Joe Nellis, Head of Economic Research at MHA, the accountancy and advisory firm, the housing market has come to a halt at a time of considerable economic uncertainty.

P.ublished 8th September 2026

Ballot For The 2027 AJ Bell Great North Run Is Now Open!

With the biggest ever Great North Run just days away organisers of the world’s greatest half marathon announce that the BALLOT FOR THE 2027 event is now OPEN. The Ballot runs from Monday, 7th September at 8am until midnight on Sunday 20th September, at which point ballot applications close. The draw takes place on Monday 21st September with applicants notified of their results soon after.

P.ublished 7th September 2026

New Report Recommends £1 A Night Visitor Levy In York And North Yorkshire

A report commissioned by Mayor David Skaith has proposed a flat £1 a night visitor levy in York and North Yorkshire. York and North Yorkshire's Policy Lab's report published today examines the region's visitor economy, as well as the risks, challenges and opportunities of a visitor levy.

P.ublished 7th September 2026

Three Quarters Of A&E Staff Witness Violence And Aggression At Work At Least Once A Week, As 'Safe To Care' Campaign Launched

Around three in four UK Emergency Department staff have told the Royal College of Emergency Medicine that they experience or witness violence and aggression in their department on a daily or weekly basis.

P.ublished 7th September 2026

Average Rents Across Yorkshire Increase By 5% To £1,283 Per Month

A report released from lettings and estate agencies, Linley & Simpson and Hardisty, reveals that average rents in Yorkshire now sit at £1,283 per calendar month (pcm), a 5% rise year-on-year. The report suggests the Renters’ Rights Act, which was implemented earlier this year, has not caused the disruption expected across the property sector in Yorkshire.

P.ublished 7th September 2026

National Wealth Fund Expands Regional Partnerships Programme To South Yorkshire, Supporting Next Wave Of Local Growth Projects

National Wealth Fund expands regional partnerships programme to South Yorkshire, supporting next wave of local growth projects The National Wealth Fund has agreed to enter into strategic partnerships with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Cardiff Capital Region, marking the next phase of its work with…

P.ublished 7th September 2026

Blackpool Is All Lit Up

Liz Coggins
Features Editor

Blackpool's world-famous Illuminations were officially switched on by comedian and presenter Paddy McGuinness, marking the start of another dazzling season for one of the UK's most iconic attractions.

P.ublished 6th September 2026

Ruby’s Law MP Drop-In

Ruby’s Law, which is striving to protect pets in domestic abuse settings, has its second reading in Parliament in October. Ahead of that, campaigners are inviting MPs to a drop-in on 8th September so they can learn more about the proposed legislation and the positive impact it will have on victims of domestic abuse and their companion animals.

P.ublished 5th September 2026

Andy Burnham’s First Month

Ruby Boyd
Politics Correspondent

On Tuesday, Andy Burnham made his first speech as Prime Minister at the PMQ’s, addressing his parliament and outlining his plan of action for a new political and economic model for the UK. Many of his promises are not firm commitments, so what can we expect from this new government, and when can we expect any of this change? Here’s what we know.

P.ublished 5th September 2026

Austerity And Brexit Not To Blame For Sluggish UK Economy, New Analysis Finds

Image by M. H. from Pixabay

New research from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) by economist Julian Jessop examines two of the most widely blamed causes of the UK's poor economic performance over the past decade and a half: fiscal "austerity" after 2010 and the 2016 vote to leave the European Union. It concludes that the evidence for either being a major drag on growth is much weaker than commonly assumed.

P.ublished 4th September 2026

YouGov/Cebr: Consumer Confidence Increases Amid Rising Optimism Around Business Activity

Consumer confidence increased by 0.9 points movement in August 2026, according to the latest data from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The Consumer Confidence index rose from 105.5 to 106.4. Any score greater than 100 indicates positive sentiment, while a score of less than 100 indicates negative sentiment.

P.ublished 3rd September 2026

Four In 10 Parents Delaying Saving For Their Children

Almost four in 10 parents with children under 18 have no Junior ISA (JISA) open for their children, Scottish Friendly has found. The mutual’s latest Family Finance Tracker research has found that 38 per cent of parents with children under 18 have no JISA in place for any of their children, with everyday pressures and a lack of knowledge among the barriers to getting started.

P.ublished 3rd September 2026

Charity Shops Feel The Squeeze As Donors Turn To Online Sellers

Charity shops are under pressure as donors sell higher-value clothes and goods through online platforms such as Vinted, eBay and Depop, rather than donating them, new research from Rathbones, one of the UK’s leading charity wealth managers, shows.

P.ublished 2nd September 2026

Leeds Wizard-Themed Mini Golf Giving Away 100 Free Games To Mark 1st Birthday, Plus Drinks For A Pound

Leeds’ wizard-themed mini golf venue The Hole in Wand is giving away free admission and other bargains as it celebrates its first birthday. On 1 September, the first 100 guests will receive free entry, and on 2-4 September, the first 100 guests to say “Happy Birthday” can play for a fiver, including a magical potion worth £3.49.

P.ublished 31st August 2026

Burnsall Feast Sports And Charities Day

Start of the Fell Race with the 1st and 2nd place runners close together. 264 Williams Walker and 261 Ted mason

Another successful day in Burnsall was blessed with sunshine and warmth for the Annual Burnsall Feast and Sports. All stallholders reported that sales had been very good. The day started off with the Classic Burnsall Duck Race. The event had been in doubt only days before as due to the low level the River Wharfe was not flowing very well.

P.ublished 31st August 2026

Government Now Requires Licenses For One In Five Workers

Image: Markus Winkler on Pexels

A new paper published by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) argues that rapidly increasing regulation of the labour market since the 2008 financial crisis is a key part of the explanation for Britain's poor productivity performance.

P.ublished 31st August 2026

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