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.

As festival-goers head to some of the season's biggest events this bank holiday weekend, from Reading and Leeds to Creamfields and Notting Hill Carnival, new research reveals the sheer volume of single-use plastic left behind across a UK festival season.

Drivers warned to expect sudden surface water and localised flooding as heavy, thundery showers follow the recent hot, dry weather. Hard, compacted ground following prolonged dry conditions can increase surface run-off during intense rainfall. “Conditions can change incredibly quickly when a thundery downpour hits.” - AA expert patrol

Dear Editor, Some of life's best moments come with a soundtrack – whether it's at a music event, a festival or a night out with friends. It's how many people connect, celebrate, and make memories. To keep it that way it's really important to protect your hearing health.

The chief executive of North Yorkshire Council has spoken of his “immense pride” at helping to shape the authority’s future as he has announced he is to retire next year. Richard Flinton has confirmed that he will step down from the role as the council’s most senior officer at the end of March next year following a local government career that has spanned almost 40 years in North Yorkshire.

The UK’s third tallest structure, Caldbeck transmitter station, is celebrating 65 years of keeping communities across Cumbria and South West Scotland connected through television and radio services. The transmitting station, which first went on air on 1 September 1961, serves around 280,000 homes and has become one of the UK's most important broadcasting locations.

Almost half the people eligible for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax have missed the first filing deadline, according an analysis from international accountancy and business advisory group Azets. Figures from HMRC showed 436,000 taxpayers filed their first MTD for Income Tax quarterly update on time on August 7 – 50.5% of those who should have.

Two-thirds of young savers have postponed a significant life event they could genuinely afford, held back not by a specific bill or shortfall but by a broader unease about their financial position, new research from LHV Bank has found.

The latest Emergency Department (ED) performance figures from NHS England, covering July 2026, show that last month was the worst July on record for 12-hour waits, with over 150,000 patients waiting more than half a day in major (Type 1) EDs. It also shows that more than 47,000 patients who attended major EDs spent over 12 hours waiting on a trolley.

Devolution has just gained a scoreboard.

Following reports of giant hogweed being found in Preston, dog owners are being urged to learn how to recognise the dangerous plant and know what to do if their pet comes into contact with it.

ARMEXIS, the Harrogate-based armoured vehicle designer and manufacturer, has called for the UK to move swiftly beyond spending announcements and to rebuild its defence manufacturing capacity to keep the country safe.

Grade I-listed Ribble Valley hall set for hotel, members' club and wellness centre, with planning applications expected in November Alison Brooks Architects has been appointed to lead a £30 million redevelopment of Gisburne Park, a 1,000-acre estate near the Ribble Valley, converting the historic house into a members' club, boutique hotel and wellness centre.

New research from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) reveals the true scale of Britain's infrastructure crisis, showing that the UK pays several times more than its European and Asian peers to build major transport infrastructure, and waits far longer for it to open.

Younger savers increasingly feel the concept of ‘saving for a rainy day’ is outdated, and are focusing their efforts on saving for specific goals, new research from LHV Bank has revealed. The survey of more than 2,000 savers found 44% of respondents aged 18-24 felt the idea of rainy day savings was outdated.

School holidays and warm weather are here and our Yorkshire beaches beckon. But where is safe for swimming along England’s often polluted coast? Thankfully there is largely encouraging information for Yorkshire from the government Environment Agency’s most recent ratings of sea water purity. This makes clear where swimming is safest and where it’s most likely not.

Focus4Hope’s CEO and founder Louise Reed works with West Yorkshire’s most vulnerable people, including those who are homeless. Here’s her message for Andy Burnham. 1. Prevent homelessness – don’t just react to it. The fallout that follows homelessness, including addiction, plummeting mental health and exploitation, is far more costly in human and financial terms than prevention.