The TUC has launched a new skills initiative bringing together unions, employers, and education providers to tackle Britain's deepening skills crisis. The union body says the crisis has been caused by years of underinvestment by government, falling investment by employers, a failure to listen to workers, and a skills system struggling to keep pace with rapid technological change.

Overall index increased by +0.4. Retrospective (+1.5) and forward-looking (+2.6) household finance figures continue recovery. Perceptions of house prices worsened over the past 30 days (-3.2) and looking ahead to the next 12 months (-0.5). Business activity measures improved over June (+3.6), as did outlook (+1.2)

Women across Britain are significantly more anxious than men about meeting everyday living costs over the coming year, with new research warning that mounting financial pressure is forcing many to rely on borrowing and eating into long-term savings rather than building financial resilience for the future.

Only one in ten adults in England and Wales understand how much water they use each day, according to research released to mark the launch of a major new campaign aimed at changing the nation's relationship with water.

Focus4Hope was originally created as a community organisation but became a registered charity so it could respond to increased demand. It offers a range of services to help people avoid crisis points, including food distribution, advice and guidance, and a low-cost food market. But in extreme weather, crisis can become inevitable.

Women in the North West are highly involved in household finances, with more than eight in ten (81%) actively involved in managing daily finances but are less likely to take the lead on the longer-term decisions that shape future wealth, according to new research from St James’s Place (SJP).

Dear Editor, Around 3 million people in the UK are hearing aid users. With the temperature this week reported to reach in excess of 38C in some places, RNID, are encouraging hearing aid users to give their devices some extra TLC during the hot weather so they can soak up the sunshine without missing out on conversations.

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the tragic collision between two passenger trains on Friday 19th June. I realise honourable members will be aware of some of the details, but today I’d like to set out the facts as we know them so far. At approximately 17.15 on Friday evening, two East Midlands Railway passenger trains collided at Elstow near Bedford.

AA Signs, one of the oldest parts of The AA, is celebrating 120 years since its first road sign was erected in Hatfield.

Passengers are being offered a new ticket that allows them to switch between trains, buses and boats in Cumbria. It comes as a growing number of tourists are booking trips to the Lake District and other popular UK holiday destinations this summer, amid uncertainty over international travel.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Nigel Gresley, former Chief Mechanical Engineer of the original LNER, a special Azuma train livery has been unveiled at Doncaster railway station.

Over 100,000 passengers surveyed in the biggest rail satisfaction survey in British history. 87 per cent of passengers satisfied with their journey. CrossCountry worst-performing train operator in survey with 79 per cent of passengers satisfied. Hull Trains passengers most satisfied with their journey. Results will be used to drive day-to-day improvements for passengers and inform Great British Railways priorities.

The Bank of England was widely expected to keep interest rates on hold this month. But the Monetary Policy Committee’s focus has now shifted towards digesting the implications of the US-Iran deal to extend the ceasefire and restore energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

As Drowning Prevention Week (13-20 June) continues, Yorkshire Air Ambulance is urging the public to take care around open water following a number of tragic incidents across the UK. The annual awareness campaign, led by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), follows reports of more than 17 people losing their lives in open water incidents across the UK since the start of May.

Four in 10 adoptive families say they are facing severe challenges or are at crisis point as the Adoption Barometer 2026 calls for a legal right to lifelong, needs-led support. A major new report from Adoption UK has revealed that too many families are still being left without the support they need once adoptions are made, and adult adoptees continue to be overlooked by policymakers.

Father’s Day (21 June) can be a particularly difficult and lonely day for those whose baby has died, however long ago. Dads with other children may also have mixed feelings and worry about how to approach the day. Every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth.

Yorkshire Water is encouraging schools across the region to take part in its free water safety education programme as part of Drowning Prevention Week 2026, helping children and young people understand the dangers of open waters ahead of the summer holidays.

Almost a third of drivers’ rate motorway service area food and drink prices as poor. Drivers are more positive about the food and drink offer than the price. “Drivers should not feel they are paying over the odds simply because they have pulled off the motorway,” says AA President

Dementia specialist Admiral Nurses will host clinics at Nationwide branches in Carlisle and Kendal to offer tailored support and guidance to anyone affected by the condition Nationwide's and Dementia UK’s free face-to-face clinics are returning to Nationwide branches in Carlisle and Kendal, offering specialist support in a safe, comfortable and private space for people to discuss any aspect of…

A new competition will be held to see who can travel to the highest number of railway stations in the North of England in a single day. Passengers can now apply here for a place in The Great Race Across the North, which will be held on Saturday, 25 July. Ten people will be selected to take part and they can compete solo or bring a friend.

Carers UK today has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a public consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers. The Government’s consultation will explore a range of options to help unpaid carers remain in and return to work, including the introduction of a statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has launched its 2026 apprenticeship programme, encouraging people across the North of England to start a career in energy — no matter their background. The campaign challenges outdated perceptions of who works in the industry, making it clear that you don’t need to fit a stereotype to succeed.

The Parish of Oswaldtwistle has announced it has received a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save the heritage asset of Immanuel Church and secure it for the future use of the community. Immanuel Church - part of The Parish of Oswaldtwistle - has been awarded the grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to repair and renovate the church roof.

Overall index increases by 2.6 points this May, the largest monthly increase since May 2021. Britons forward looking view of their household finances recorded the largest monthly increase since May 2020. Perceptions of house prices also improved.