Yorkshire Times

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Yorkshire’s Housing Market Sees An Unexpected Summer Bounce

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

Image: Atlantic Ambience on Pexels

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

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

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

Mayor David Skaith talking to businesses at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate about his plans for a 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

Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

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

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

Image by Nuun Std. from Pixabay

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

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

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

Three In Four Brits Call For Plastic-Free Festivals

Image by Tania Van den Berghen from Pixabay

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.

P.ublished 29th August 2026

Ripon Rejoices In A Summer Of Fun, Sun And Increased Footfall

Facepainting in the Cabman’s Shelter Photo: Juliet Hawkins, Ripon BID

Ripon’s summer season of family fun events comes to a close on Market Square on Saturday (August 29th) with seven hours of family-focused activities. Running from 10am until 5pm, the event being organised by Ripon City Council, will include free fairground rides for children of all ages, a football shoot out, balloon modelling, fun with bubbles and face painting.

P.ublished 28th August 2026

Drivers Face Flash Flooding Risk As Yellow Thunderstorm Warnings Follow Hot Weather, Cautions The AA

Image: Alexandre Moreira on Pexels

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

P.ublished 27th August 2026

Letter To Editor: Protect Your Hearing Health

Image on Pexels https://kaboompics.com/

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.

P.ublished 27th August 2026

Chief Executive Speaks Of Pride As He Announces Retirement

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.

P.ublished 27th August 2026

Caldbeck Transmitter Celebrates 65 Years On Air

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.

P.ublished 26th August 2026

Computer Says No!

Car tech computer confusion has become one of the UK’s top five causes of breakdowns, the AA reveals. Whilst people might be used to ‘computer says no’ at home or work, many are being flummoxed by the technical complexity of their vehicles.

P.ublished 25th August 2026

Britain’s Tax System Has Become More Economically Damaging Since The Financial Crisis, Says New IEA Briefing

Britain’s tax system has become more economically damaging since the financial crisis, says new IEA briefing. The worst may be yet to come. Taxes on investment have risen sharply on two occasions in recent years – immediately after the financial crisis, and once more after the pandemic. This time, there is little prospect that they will fall again.

P.ublished 24th August 2026

Twenty One Week Driving Test Backlog Locks Neets Out Of A Job, New Research Reveals

Image by Robert Fotograf from Pixabay

Britain’s young people are being locked out of work by an entrenched driving test backlog, a leading think tank has revealed. Learners in England must now look around 21 weeks ahead to find an available driving test, more than four times the five-week wait in 2020, according to analysis of new Department for Transport data by the Centre for Social Justice.

P.ublished 24th August 2026

Leeds Team Delivers UK First With Breakthrough Treatment For Life-Threatening Abnormal Tangle Of Blood Vessels In The Brain

Zehair Ayub photographed in Radiology Theatres, Leeds General Infirmary

A man from Bradford has become the first patient in the UK to benefit from a groundbreaking new treatment for a disabling and life-threatening arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

P.ublished 24th August 2026

CrossCountry To Run A Full Train Service On Monday 24 August

Refurbished Voyager double set on the Royal Border Bridge Photo: Rob Hinds

Long-distance train operator CrossCountry will run a full train service on Monday after a power outage affecting its control centre resulted in major disruption across the network on Sunday 23 August. The operator plans to run a very limited number of trains from around 18:00 today and a full service tomorrow (Monday 24 August).

P.ublished 23rd August 2026

428,000 Miss Making Tax Digital’s First Filing Deadline – Azets

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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.

P.ublished 21st August 2026

Revolutionary Yorkshire Water-Saving Device To Feature On National Television

Jason and Belle Richardson's SealStop device, born out of a smallholding frustration, has already picked up 12 awards and sales in six countries — now it's heading for prime-time television. A device dreamed up to solve an everyday nuisance on a Pocklington smallholding is about to be pitched to some of the sharpest minds in British business.

P.ublished 21st August 2026

Three In Ten Drivers Now Have A Dashcam And Are Using Footage To Support A Claim – The AA

A study carried out by The AA’s Accident Assist claims service found that 30% of drivers now have a dashcam, compared with 20% in 2018. This 10 percentage-point rise means dashcams are becoming an increasingly common source of potential evidence following road collisions.

P.ublished 21st August 2026

Aldi Calls On Families To Apply For Its New Superfam Pass

Families can now apply to get their hands on Aldi’s brand-new Superfam Pass, which offers one lucky household a full year of free groceries. Aldi is launching a Superfam Pass to give one lucky household a full year of free groceries. Britain’s biggest discounter is on the lookout for a household of devoted Aldi shoppers, offering them the chance to have a year’s shopping covered.

P.ublished 21st August 2026

Live Facial Recognition To Be Used At Leeds Festival

West Yorkshire Police will deploy Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology on the external perimeter of Leeds Festival for the first time this year as part of the wider operation to help keep festivalgoers safe, prevent crime and create a secure environment for everyone attending.

P.ublished 20th August 2026

UK Inflation Rises To 2.9% As Energy Bills Bite — Economists Split On What Happens Next

Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay

Experts agree the jump was driven by the Ofgem price cap rise, but disagree sharply on what government and the Bank of England should do about it UK inflation rose to 2.9 per cent in July, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, with economists and commentators broadly agreed on the cause but divided on the remedy.

P.ublished 19th August 2026

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Opens Its Doors For Heritage Open Days 2026

Pickering Station

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is inviting visitors to discover the people, places, and stories that have shaped the heritage railway as it takes part in Heritage Open Days 2026 with a programme of free events across Pickering, Goathland, and Grosmont.

P.ublished 19th August 2026

Young Savers Twice As Likely As Baby Boomers To Delay Life Events Due To Money Worries: 67% Vs 31%

Alex Beavis

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.

P.ublished 19th August 2026

Sky Bet Ebor Community Sweepstake 2026 Shortlist Revealed

Photo: Sky Bet

Sky Bet has partnered with York Racecourse for the Sky Bet Ebor Community Sweepstake 2026 and has now officially revealed the 22 Yorkshire-based shortlisted charities, foundations and community groups set to take part.

P.ublished 18th August 2026

Job Vacancies Sink To Near Six-Year Low As Pay Squeeze Tightens

Unemployment holds at 4.9% but economists warn of a "stuck" labour market, with private sector wage growth at its weakest since 2020. Britain's jobs market showed fresh signs of strain this morning as official figures revealed vacancies have fallen to their lowest level in more than five years, even as pay growth in the private sector slowed to a near six-year low.

P.ublished 18th August 2026

Record Number Of Patients Wait On Trolleys In England’s A&E, Overcrowding Remains Widespread

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.

P.ublished 18th August 2026

‘It Was My Twin Brother’, TPE Reveals Excuses Heard From Customers Travelling Without A Valid Ticket

From blaming a twin brother to eating the evidence, TransPennine Express (TPE) has revealed some of the more unusual excuses its revenue protection team has heard from customers travelling without a valid ticket. Among them was a customer caught using a child ticket for the second time.

P.ublished 17th August 2026

Government Must Be Honest About UK Energy Demand In Its Response To Rosebank Consultation

The government must be honest about the UK’s energy demand in its response to the public consultation on the Rosebank oilfield, says David Whitehouse chief executive of Offshore Energies UK The government response to the public consultation which closes today [Monday August 17th] will set the direction of the UK’s future energy policy, industrial resilience and its route to net zero.

P.ublished 17th August 2026

Circus Comes To Minskip As Popular Scarecrow Weekend Returns

The village of Minskip, near Boroughbridge, will hold its annual Scarecrow Competition on the weekend of September 5–6, raising vital funds for St John’s Church. This year’s theme is The Circus, with scarecrows lining the main street in a colorful display created by local residents.

P.ublished 17th August 2026

Fifth Heatwave Set To Increase Water Demand As Yorkshire Water Urges Using Water Wisely

Scout Dike Reservoir summer 2026 Photo: Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water is reminding customers to use water wisely as the UK’s fifth heatwave of the year arrives, with temperatures in the region set to reach more than 30 degrees. Yorkshire Water is preparing for the increased demand expected during the latest heatwave.

P.ublished 14th August 2026

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