Yorkshire Times

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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

Image: Pixabay

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

Revenue Protection Image: © TransPennine Express

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

Image: Jan-Rune Smenes Reite Pixabay

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

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

The Government Has Moved Power North. Now Britain's High Streets Need Better Local Intelligence

Devolution has just gained a scoreboard.

P.ublished 14th August 2026

Vet Issues Urgent Warning To Dog Owners After Toxic Giant Hogweed Discovered In Preston

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.

P.ublished 13th August 2026

Armexis Urges Swift Action To Keep The UK Safe

ARMEXIS team with unmanned ground vehicles

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.

P.ublished 13th August 2026

Alison Brooks Architects To Lead £30m Restoration Of Gisburne Park Estate

Aerial view of Gisburne Park Estate. Image courtesy of Alison Brooks Architects.

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.

P.ublished 12th August 2026

Jigsaws Childcare Nursery Completes £700,000 Redevelopment

(L-R)Helen Smith, Business Manager at Jigsaws Childcare Nursery; Hayley Crossman-Shaw, Head of Family at Hetherton’s Solicitors; Jessica Roberts, Head of Corporate at Hethertons Solicitors

Jigsaws Childcare Nursery in Church Fenton has completed a £700,000 redevelopment, supported by Hethertons Solicitors, boosting capacity from 51 to almost 80 children. The not-for-profit nursery, established in 2007, offers full-day care, wrap-around school clubs and provision for children with special educational needs.

P.ublished 12th August 2026

Aldi Urgesshoppers To Donate These Everyday Items To Help Local Foodbanks This Summer

Photo: Aldi

Foodbanks are calling for donations of everyday essentials this summer as families face extra pressure during the school holidays. To help shoppers support their local communities, supermarket Aldi has revealed the products charities say are needed most, making it easier for customers to donate while doing their weekly shop.

P.ublished 12th August 2026

Property Expert Warns Affordability Remains Biggest Obstacle As "Cautious Optimism Returns To UK Housing Market".

A property expert says improving confidence is encouraging buyers back into the market, but affordability remains the biggest barrier to a sustained recovery. Jonathan Rolande believes the UK housing market is showing signs of stabilising after a prolonged period of uncertainty.

P.ublished 12th August 2026

Almost A Fifth Of Britons Have No Clear Long-Term Financial Priority

Almost a fifth (18 per cent) of UK adults do not have or cannot identify a long-term financial goal, new research from Scottish Friendly has found. Nearly one in five people surveyed told the mutual they did not know what they wanted their finances to achieve over the next five years or more, according to its latest Family Finance Tracker research.

P.ublished 11th August 2026

Britain Spends More On Planning Applications Than Japan Spends On Extending High-Speed Railways Through Earthquake-prone Mountains

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.

P.ublished 10th August 2026

Popular Yorkshire Artisan Market To Make North East Debut Next Week

Popular Yorkshire market, Little Bird Artisan Market, will make its Tees Valley debut on Friday 7th August, bringing together 30 independent makers, artists and food producers for a new event hosted at Teesside Park. Running from 10am to 4pm, visitors will be able to discover everything from handmade gifts and home fragrance to artisan food, sweet treats and unique artwork.

P.ublished 6th August 2026

Younger Savers Turning Back On ‘Outdated’ Rainy Day Savings Approach, Research From LHV Bank Reveals

Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

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.

P.ublished 5th August 2026

Which Yorkshire Beach For Swimming? Sea Water Purity Compared, 2026

Reighton, Hunmanby Sands - rated 'Good' for water quality Photo: Charles Patmore

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.

P.ublished 4th August 2026

Waspi Campaigners “Absolutely Determined” In Fight For Justice As Calls For Talks With New PM Grow

Picture courtesy of WASPI

Campaigners have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey, urging them to meet for talks on compensating millions of WASPI women. In a letter sent today, WASPI chief Angela Madden presses the new Labour leadership to urgently meet with campaigners to ensure 1950s-born women receive “fair redress”.

P.ublished 4th August 2026

YouGov/Cebr: Consumer Confidence Index: Perceptions Of Household Finances Improve

Overall consumer confidence saw incremental movement in July 2026, according to the latest data from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The index rose from 105.3 to 105.5 (+0.2). Any score greater than 100 indicates positive sentiment, while a score of less than 100 indicates negative sentiment.

P.ublished 3rd August 2026

Britain's Housing Crisis "Entirely Self-Inflicted" Warns Economist

A new briefing from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Buildings: In defence of ‘stupid growth, is written by Kristian Niemietz, the IEA's Editorial Director, and forms part of a forthcoming IEA book, The Great Stagnation: Why Britain Stopped Growing, which brings together contributions from multiple authors, each examining a different explanation for Britain's growth malais…

P.ublished 3rd August 2026

Switch On Star Revealed

BBC Radio 2’s Paddy McGuinness is set to light up Blackpool’s biggest night of the year on Friday 4 September. Beloved television and radio presenter, comedian and author Paddy McGuinness will perform the honour of switching on the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations at this year’s Switch-On event on Friday 4 September 2026.

P.ublished 1st August 2026

The Worlds Finest Civilian And Military Aircraft Come To Blackpool

It’s just one week to go until the skies above Blackpool are filled with spectacular aerial displays from some of the world’s finest military and civilian aircraft. The Blackpool Air Show takes place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, and the full flying programme has now been revealed. Crowds will be treated to a display by a MiG-17.

P.ublished 1st August 2026

Prime Minister – If You Care About Rough Sleepers, Focus On 5 Things

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.

P.ublished 31st July 2026

Northwest Bakery Wins Four National Accolades At Great Taste Awards

Aidan Monks & Catherine Connor, Lovingly Artisan Photo: Jenny Jones Photography

Four wins and two of them the coveted two-star kind — Altrincham-based Lovingly Artisan Bakery has enjoyed one of its finest showings yet at this year's Great Taste Awards. The Guild of Fine Food has revealed its 2026 winners, with the Northwest bakery — which operates across Altrincham, Manchester and Kendal in the Lake District — picking up two two-star awards and two one-star awards.

P.ublished 30th July 2026

BMX Champion Kieran Reilly Returns To Gateshead Roots For Metrocentre's Half Pipe Show

Kieran Reilly Photos: Metrocentre

He's landed the world's first triple flair and taken Olympic silver — this summer, Kieran Reilly is bringing his talents back to the ramp where it all began. Team Extreme are returning to Metrocentre this summer with their adrenaline-fuelled Half Pipe Show, joined by a very special guest: record-breaking BMX rider and local legend Kieran Reilly.

P.ublished 30th July 2026

Wigan Grandfather's Sight Saved By "Life-Changing" Eye Test After Sudden Vision Loss

(L-R)Irem Ahmed, optometrist, Edwin Causey, Customer and Angela Higson, senior optical assistant

A 78-year-old Wigan man is urging others to act fast on sudden eyesight changes after a routine trip to his local optician uncovered a serious, life-threatening condition. Edwin Causey, of Warrington Road, Wigan, woke on Saturday, June 27, to find he had completely lost the vision in his right eye.

P.ublished 29th July 2026

Ripon Set To Celebrate Yorkshire Day In Style, With St Wilfrid's Procession Adding A Double Dose Of County Pride

St Wilfrid's Procession

If any city has a claim to being the most Yorkshire of all Yorkshire places, it is Ripon. Rooted firmly at the county's heart, reachable from every direction, and steeped in heritage and community spirit, Ripon is preparing to mark Yorkshire Day on 1st August in fitting fashion — doubly so, since the date coincides with the city's beloved St Wilfrid's Procession.

P.ublished 29th July 2026

CrossCountry Launches Industry-First Digital Priority Seating Card To Support Accessible Travel

Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has launched an industry-first digital Priority Seating Card, making it easier for customers who need additional support to discreetly communicate that they require a priority seat onboard.

P.ublished 28th July 2026

West Yorkshire Charities Focus4Hope And Brodstock Are Bringing People Together To Raise Vital Funds.

Challenge4Hope on 30 August 2026 is a welcoming, inclusive, fundraising event offering something for everyone, from experienced endurance athletes and those looking for a new personal challenge to people who just want a great day out.

P.ublished 27th July 2026

Burnham Urged To Tackle £125 Billion A Year NEET Crisis With Revolution In Vocational Education

Andy Burnham has been urged to make rewiring Britain’s faltering education system a key priority of his government.

P.ublished 27th July 2026

St John Ambulance Launches Nationwide Hunt For Most Inspirational Lifesaver At Work

St John Ambulance has launched the inaugural Lifesavers at Work Awards. A nationwide hunt is under way for the UK’s most inspirational workplace heroes; people who have used first aid skills to save a life, or support someone in a medical emergency, while at work.

P.ublished 25th July 2026

Royal Celebration Marks A New Era For Sport In Catterick

Salute delivered by 4th Regiment

The celebration of Her Majesty Queen Camilla’s birthday in York provided more than a moment of national pride and tradition. As the 21-gun salute echoed across the city, it also marked the beginning of a significant new chapter for military sport and community wellbeing in Yorkshire. The occasion celebrated a once-in-a-generation £12.3 million investment, announced by Maj. Gen.

P.ublished 24th July 2026

Traffic Cops Numbers Continue To Fall As More Than Half Of Drivers Say Careless Driving Won't Be Caught – The AA

Latest policing figures show further reduction in Roads Traffic Units. 55% of drivers think middle lane hoggers and tailgaters get away with it. More than eight out of 10 say more traffic police would make communities safer. “The public wants to see a proper visible presence on our roads, not just an assumption that a camera will deal with it” says AA’s head of roads policy

P.ublished 24th July 2026

Railway Stations In Yorkshire And The Humber Among Those Raising Safety Concerns For Women Travelling Alone

Train stations across Yorkshire and the Humber have been highlighted in a major new survey by leading women's charity Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI), which examined safety standards at stations across the UK.

P.ublished 24th July 2026

YouGov: Nearly Three In Ten Britons (28%) Don’t Do Any Financial Planning

New YouGov research reveals that nearly three in ten members of the British public (28%) say they are not planning ahead financially. Of the rest, a fifth plan less than one year ahead (21%) and the same proportion plan 1-3 years ahead (21%). Some 12% plan 3-5 years ahead, but only a quarter (25%) plan more than five years ahead.

P.ublished 23rd July 2026

Charities Urged To Apply For Vital LNER Community Funding

Charities across Yorkshire are being encouraged to apply for funding from LNER’s 2027 Customer & Community Investment Fund (CCIF). Grants of up to £10,000 are available to small and medium-sized charities based within 15 miles of the East Coast Main Line for projects that support LNER's three key priorities: better for planet, better for people and better for places.

P.ublished 23rd July 2026

Remembering Former Anglican Bishop Of Lancaster, Stephen Pedley, Following His Death At 85

The former Anglican Bishop of Lancaster from 1998 to 2005, Rt Rev. Stephen Pedley, has died at the age of 85. Bishop Stephen was also Honorary Chaplain to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth between 1984 and 1998.  A priest's son, Stephen was born in Coventry in 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain and the subsequent bombing blitz of many British cities.

P.ublished 22nd July 2026

Women Overestimate How Difficult Investing Is – But A New Study Shows That Can Change In Just Seven Days

Millions of UK women believe investing is far harder than it really is — and that misconception, rather than any lack of money or opportunity, may be a key driver of Britain's £574bn gender investment gap, according to new research from trading platform eToro.

P.ublished 22nd July 2026

Pokémon specialist Aqua TCG to open first store at Metrocentre

Trading card game specialist Aqua TCG opens its first physical store at The Crescent, Metrocentre, on Friday 31 July, offering cards, graded collectibles, sealed products and accessories.

P.ublished 22nd July 2026

Healey Named Chancellor As Burnham Unveils Front Bench

Photo: Gov.uk

The Rt Hon John Healey has been confirmed as Chancellor of the Exchequer in Prime Minister Andy Burnham's first major appointment, ending weeks of speculation and drawing swift reaction from business and rural groups over the direction of the new government's economic policy.

P.ublished 20th July 2026

Royal President For Great Yorkshire Show

(L-R) Nick Lane Fox hands over to Rodrica Straker during the Presidents Handover Ceremony at the 2026 Great Yorkshire Show

The final day of the 2026 Great Yorkshire Show marked a major milestone in the event’s 167-year history when it was revealed that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal would be the Show’s President in 2027. Just before the Show’s closing ceremony, retiring President Nick Lane Fox handed over the honorary President role to Rodrica Straker of Burton Constable Hall, who takes over immediately.

P.ublished 20th July 2026

CBI Urges New PM To Scale ‘Manchesterism’ Nationally

Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has issued a "Roadmap for Growth" to incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham, calling on the new administration to abandon political drift and partner with industry to drive national economic renewal.

P.ublished 20th July 2026

Equine Fairytale And Livestock Champions On Day 3 Of 167th Great Yorkshire Show

Ellie Owens with her Kerry Hill, winner of the Supreme Sheep Championship

Heavyweight titles fell as the very cream of the crop in agricultural and equestrian competitions took centre stage at the sold-out 167th Great Yorkshire Show on day three. Among the highlights on Thursday was a fairytale end to the Ripon Select Foods Cock O’ the North, the Show’s biggest showjumping class, when the trophy went to 70-year-old local hero John Whitaker for the seventh time.

P.ublished 17th July 2026

Yorkshire Farmer Tom Carlisle Honoured With 2026 YAS/RABI Award

Yorkshire farmer Tom Carlisle, known as The Dales Farmer, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and RABI Award for Outstanding Achievement in Farming & Agriculture. Nominated by RABI – the Farmers Charity, Tom has been recognised for his contribution to improving public understanding of modern farming.

P.ublished 17th July 2026

UK economy grows 0.1% in May as Middle East tensions cloud outlook

The UK economy grew by 0.1% in May, official figures from the Office for National Statistics have shown, with warm weather lifting retail sales even as renewed conflict in the Middle East threatens to disrupt global supply chains and dampen business confidence.

P.ublished 16th July 2026

End Of The Line For Fare Evaders: New Ticket Barrier Overhaul At Railway Stations Across England

New ticket gates for stations across England with £33 million to crack down on fare evasion and deliver a fairer railway Funding to tackle deliberate fare evasion to recover up to £400 million lost annually and reinvest in better journeys for passengers Passengers already seeing the benefits of a simpler and fairer ticketing system ahead of the creation of Great British Railways with expanded Pay As You Go and digital ticketing trials

P.ublished 16th July 2026

Organisations Become Proud Allies By Joining LGBTQ+ Charity’s Workplace Initiative

UK LGBTQ+ charity Out Together has announced the launch of Spaces, a new initiative that aims to build a more inclusive society by growing a network of organisations, venues and service providers whose values align with those of the Rainbow Flag – who actively pledge to create truly inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ people and help tackle ongoing barriers and stigma that individuals still face…

P.ublished 16th July 2026

Farming Excellence In The Spotlight On Day Two Of 167th Great Yorkshire Show

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell with Charolais Goldstar April 364 and handler Barney Okane from Northern Ireland.

The Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell visited the Charolais cattle where he met Show Director Rachel Coates and handler Barney O’Kane from Northern Ireland with his beast, Goldstar April.

P.ublished 15th July 2026

Voices From The 2026 Great Yorkshire Show

Allison Lee
Smallholding Correspondent

Becky and Andrew Dunn. Becky has the stall Born to Farm and her husband, Andrew is a beef and pig farmer farmer.

After huge demand the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has made an additional 2,500 tickets available on each of the four days, increasing the daily capacity from 35,000 to 37,500, a welcome move for the hundreds of businesses assembled, all trying to sell their goods and make a profit. Tickets have sold out on every single day.

P.ublished 15th July 2026

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