The UK's expected housing market recovery has stalled, with upward inflation, political instability and stubbornly high borrowing costs creating the most uncertain conditions seen in years, according to a leading property expert At the start of 2026, economists and industry figures widely expected falling inflation and lower interest rates to trigger a steady rebound in the property market.

As Action for Brain Injury Week begins, much of the public conversation around traumatic brain injuries will rightly focus on emergency treatment, survival rates and the immediate aftermath of catastrophic accidents.

Almost three quarters (72%) of people in the North West would cut back or stop taking holidays in the UK because of the proposed holiday tax, a major UKHospitality poll has found.

The Cumberland has reintroduced face-to-face mortgage appointments at its Cockermouth branch, responding to growing demand from customers seeking in-person support. Mortgage and protection advisor Victoria Rae-Mills has recently begun offering appointments in branch one day a week, marking a return to a more traditional, community-based service alongside existing phone options.

The Ben Kinsella Trust has announced that Knife Crime Awareness Week 2026 will take place from 18 to 24 May alongside National Police Chiefs’ Council Sceptre Week, combining policing, prevention and community action in a coordinated effort to tackle knife crime.

Labour has suffered a harrowing defeat as Green Party leader Zach Polanski declares that two-party politics is “dead and buried”. Keir Starmer takes the loss on the chin and declares that he “won’t walk away”.

Over recent years, people have become far more proactive and informed when it comes to their health, with growing numbers seeking earlier answers and a better understanding of their wellbeing before concerns have the chance to escalate further.

Households across the North West continue to feel the impact of financial pressures, according to new research from St. James’s Place (SJP), with many reporting worsening finances over the past year as rising living costs continue to squeeze household budgets.

74% of carers in employment say being able to work supports their wellbeing, offering a break from caring, boosting confidence and social contact Despite this, nearly half (47%) of carers who are employees are considering cutting their working hours or giving up work altogether. Giving up work to care can also have a significant financial impact New research from Carers UK examines the ‘tipping point’ at which unpaid carers feel that they have no choice but to give up work to care

Prostate cancer patient Neil Connolly, will be appearing alongside award winning writer and BBC Radio 4 comedian Jon Holmes in a brand new quiz style podcast to support prostate cancer patients.

A volunteer-run community hall serving rural communities near Carlisle is set to benefit from a £500 grant from Stagecoach. Beaumont Parish Hall, located on Stagecoach’s Route 93 and serving a parish of around 500 residents across five villages, has received the funding to support its ongoing reconstruction project.

Around half of higher-risk mental health patients in emergency departments were not properly observed during their stay last year. That’s according to new data published by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) today, 11 May, which is the first day of UK Mental Health Awareness Week.

One of the UK’s most important broadcast sites, Winter Hill was first commissioned on 3 May 1956, and has played a central role in the development of television and radio broadcasting for seven decades.

Consumer confidence continued to decline in April 2026, according to the latest data from YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). Headline figures fell from 105.8 to 102.4 (-3.4) as nearly every metric deteriorated. Any score greater than 100 indicates positive sentiment, while a score of less than 100 indicates negative sentiment.

From 1st May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act will be in force. For 11 million private renters in England, it is the most significant shift in housing law in a generation. Section 21 no-fault evictions have ended. Fixed-term tenancies no longer exist. Landlords who once had near-automatic routes to possession must now justify every claim in court.

The Network of Pakistani Organisations (NPO) UK has welcomed the passing of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which officially becomes law, marking a significant milestone in the UK’s ongoing efforts to tackle smoking and protect public health.

It might be the Leeds Tattoo Expo’s 11th year at Leeds First Direct Arena, but there are plenty of new attractions at this year’s cutting-edge event. Firmly established as a must-do for tattoo and alternative culture enthusiasts across the UK and beyond, around 220 of the industry’s best artists will showcase their skills.

Dear Editor,  As a deaf person in the UK, navigating everyday life in a hearing world can be a struggle. Common activities like shopping, visiting a hospital or socialising are often full of challenges.  When people aren’t deaf-aware, it can make life a lot more difficult. It can be so isolating and really knocks your confidence.

Bestselling crime writers Clare Mackintosh, Vaseem Khan and C.L. Taylor have joined forces with the banking industry’s Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to create a trilogy of original short stories designed to protect the public from scams

Young people across Cumbria are rapidly changing how they travel, as rising fuel costs continue to impact daily life. New research from Stagecoach shows that 68% of young people in Cumbria have altered their commuting habits due to increasing petrol prices; one of the highest levels recorded across the UK.

An estimated 2 million UK children are being locked out of live music, with cost and location preventing access for two in five primary school pupils, according to new research from music charity Playground Proms.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) says that, despite a small reduction in the number of recorded shoplifting offences in England and Wales, the figures are still shocking.

Fresh plans for a strategic link road between the A66 and the A1(M) in County Durham have been published, marking a significant step forward for the long-awaited infrastructure project. The Darlington Northern Link Road is designed to divert heavy goods vehicles and commuter traffic away from the A1150 and A167, reducing congestion in residential areas of north Darlington.

A major Cochrane review of 17 clinical trials involving over 20,000 people shows that the new anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s drugs do not deliver meaningful clinical benefit.