30% say they would want professional advice across all financial decisions. When facing an important financial decision, 41% turn first to family or relatives, compared with 31% who turn first to a professional financial adviser Reliance on family advice is particularly pronounced among younger respondents, while those aged 55+ are more likely to turn first to a professional adviser. Yet 44% of UK adults do not feel financially prepared for major future life events.

The IEA Alternative Budget would cut taxes on a median paid job by around £1,300 a year, slash employer National Insurance by £21bn, abolish stamp duty and inheritance tax and introduce new Defence Bonds to help fund Britain’s military.

Almost 80% of drivers would consider a professional refresher or driver-confidence lesson in at least some circumstances. More than one in five would consider professional help if a collision knocked their confidence behind the wheel. Gold and Platinum AA Insurance customers involved in a collision can be offered a two-hour Driver Confidence session with AA Driving School.

YouGov/Cebr consumer confidence index records biggest drop in household financial outlook since April. Overall index decreased by 0.2. Retrospective (-2.2) and forward-looking (-5.7) perceptions of household finances drop significantly Business activity measures improve over September (+1,5), and for the next twelve months (+2.7)

Community groups have just one more week to take advantage of grants up to £1,500 from Fibrus Broadband. The full fibre broadband provider is coming to the end of the latest round of applications for its £30,000 Community Fund. Local sports clubs, charities and other organisations have until Friday 16 October to apply to the fund. Since the fund was launched in 2023.

New polling from Independent Age, the only national charity solely focused on supporting older people facing financial hardship, shows that 59% of adults under the age of 65 in Northern England are not confident they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement.

It boasts some of the best views across the city, arguably one of the most desirable city centre locations, just down the road from Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre and amenities you’d expect from a 5* hotel, but this isn’t a new luxury hotel, it’s the city’s latest purpose-built student accommodation tower.

CrossCountry customers encouraged to plan ahead for Christmas travel: Snow at Birmingham New Street Rail passengers travelling this Christmas are being encouraged to plan ahead, as major engineering work will mean no trains can operate to or from Birmingham New Street between Thursday 24 and Monday 28 December 2026.

A Yorkshire entrepreneur is launching an unusual fashion challenge to promote the importance of sustainable fashion and wearing natural fibres like wool. Sarah Turner, the founder of Ilkley-based Little Beau Sheep, which produces 100% British wool laundry balls, will launch ‘The 90 Day Wool Habit’, which will see Turner wear the same navy wool dress every day for 90 days.

More women looking for rewarding careers on the railway as Northern sees a sharp rise in job applications More women looking for rewarding careers on the railway as Northern sees a sharp rise in job applications The number of women applying for jobs with Northern has risen significantly, following the launch of a successful recruitment campaign.

New research is yet more evidence that A&E overcrowding kills, but governments remain too slow to act, says the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM).

After some four decades of silence, "Clotherholme's Big Ben" is chiming again, thanks to a new caretaker who gave up his weekends to bring it back to life. For the better part of half a century, the clock above Ripon Grammar School has been right twice a day. Now it is right all the time.

Passengers with mobility scooters are now able to travel on all of the different types of trains in Northern’s fleet with a free permit. It comes after the train operator updated its rules to allow smaller mobility scooters on Class 158 trains.

Miller Homes has opened applications for the second round of its 2026 Community Fund, inviting charities and community groups across the North West, including Coppull to apply for grants to support local projects and initiatives. The fund offers donations ranging from £250 to £2,000, helping organisations that make a positive difference within the communities where the homebuilder operates.

Next month’s Budget should outline plans to put businesses at the heart of the next stage of devolution, to deliver growth, investment and higher living standards, according to a new report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Noise pollution remains a significant but often overlooked threat to public health in the North West despite falling complaints figures, with new research suggesting many people are regularly disturbed by noise and that lower-income households are disproportionately affected.