Households across Yorkshire and the Humber continue to feel the impact of financial pressures, according to new research from St. James’s Place (SJP), with many reporting worsening finances over the past year as rising living costs continue to squeeze household budgets.

Darlington’s railway heritage and future came together today (Friday 15 May 2026), as guests gathered to celebrate the culmination of the town’s multi-million pound station transformation. The launch event marked the completion of one of the most significant station investments on the East Coast Main Line in recent years.

The imaginative restoration of a historic hall, two contemporary additions to York Minster supporting heritage craft and technology, and a bold contemporary rural home are among the five winners of the 2026 RIBA Yorkshire Awards. This year’s cohort is particularly significant as the awards mark their 60th anniversary.

Metrocentre, Gateshead is continuing its 40-year celebrations with the launch of a £2,500 Gift Card Giveaway to help raise funds for a new ‘birthday box’ appeal by long-standing charity partner, Feeding Families.

37% of grassroots youth music projects have considered closing due to funding pressures Over two-thirds (67%) unable to meet demand from young people More than 33,500 young people are currently on waiting lists for grassroots music projects Nearly 40% expect their financial position to worsen in the next 12 months Youth Music has raised £1 million through its Rescue the Roots campaign, but warns the sector remains under severe strain

74% of carers in employment say being able to work supports their wellbeing, offering a break from caring, boosting confidence and social contact Despite this, nearly half (47%) of carers who are employees are considering cutting their working hours or giving up work altogether. Giving up work to care can also have a significant financial impact New research from Carers UK examines the ‘tipping point’ at which unpaid carers feel that they have no choice but to give up work to care

Tyne Rivers Trust has announced that the photo competition for its 2027 charity calendar is now officially open for entries. Photographers of all ages and experience levels are invited to submit their favourite shots of the Tyne catchment – from sea to source.

Prostate cancer patient Neil Connolly, will be appearing alongside award winning writer and BBC Radio 4 comedian Jon Holmes in a brand new quiz style podcast to support prostate cancer patients.

This week (4-10 May) marks Deaf Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of deafness while celebrating the UK’s deaf community. This year, the National Deaf Children’s Society is highlighting the early signs of deafness in children and reassuring families that support is available from the very start. Deafness isn’t always obvious.

Nurofen’s Gender Pain Gap Index Report finds more than half (53%) of women felt their pain was ignored or dismissed, rising to nearly three quarters (73%) among women aged 18-24.

647 HEINEKEN-owned pubs across the UK set for investment in 2026, leading to 850 new jobs £3.16m is earmarked for pubs in Yorkshire creating 88 jobs.

From 1st May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act will be in force. For 11 million private renters in England, it is the most significant shift in housing law in a generation. Section 21 no-fault evictions have ended. Fixed-term tenancies no longer exist. Landlords who once had near-automatic routes to possession must now justify every claim in court.

The Network of Pakistani Organisations (NPO) UK has welcomed the passing of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which officially becomes law, marking a significant milestone in the UK’s ongoing efforts to tackle smoking and protect public health.

It might be the Leeds Tattoo Expo’s 11th year at Leeds First Direct Arena, but there are plenty of new attractions at this year’s cutting-edge event. Firmly established as a must-do for tattoo and alternative culture enthusiasts across the UK and beyond, around 220 of the industry’s best artists will showcase their skills.

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.

Bestselling crime writers Clare Mackintosh, Vaseem Khan and C.L. Taylor have joined forces with the banking industry’s Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to create a trilogy of original short stories designed to protect the public from scams

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.

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.

A major Cochrane review of 17 clinical trials involving over 20,000 people shows that the new anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s drugs do not deliver meaningful clinical benefit.