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 The campaign challenges outdated perceptions of who works in the industry, making it clear that you don’t need to fit a stereotype to succeed.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 estimated number of deaths linked to long waits in Emergency Departments across England has surged almost tenfold over the past decade.

Half of UK adults say risk warnings on financial promotions put them off investing, new research from Scottish Friendly reveals, as the mutual’s chief executive Stephen McGee backs calls for a more balanced approach to communicating investment risk and long-term opportunity.

Primary school children across the UK have been sharing hilarious, heartwarming and brutally honest descriptions of their favourite books in response to TGJones’ nationwide Bitesize Bookworms competition, with a prize value of over £17,000 up for grabs.

A fifth of adults in the UK are feeling constant ‘financial regret’ over their spending habits, with pressures felt particularly strongly by younger generations, according to research from Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth.

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.

Dear Editor, This Volunteers' Week (1–7 June), I want to pay tribute to the people in Newcastle upon Tyne and GAteshead who are quietly changing children's lives. Across Newcastle upon Tyne, 16,969 children are eligible for free school meals, a stark reminder that for many families here, getting by is a daily struggle.

70% of people in the North East would cut back or stop taking holidays in the UK because of the proposed holiday tax, a major UKHospitality poll has found.

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.

Darlington’s railway heritage and future came together today (Friday 15 May 2026), as guests gathered to celebrate the culmination of the town’s multi-million pound station transformation. The launch event marked the completion of one of the most significant station investments on the East Coast Main Line in recent years.

Metrocentre, Gateshead is continuing its 40-year celebrations with the launch of a £2,500 Gift Card Giveaway to help raise funds for a new ‘birthday box’ appeal by long-standing charity partner, Feeding Families.

Young people from across Newcastle and Gateshead have successfully secured roles at Better Leisure Centres following their participation in the King’s Trust Get Into Leisure programme, reinforcing Better’s commitment to investing in young people.

37% of grassroots youth music projects have considered closing due to funding pressures Over two-thirds (67%) unable to meet demand from young people More than 33,500 young people are currently on waiting lists for grassroots music projects Nearly 40% expect their financial position to worsen in the next 12 months Youth Music has raised £1 million through its Rescue the Roots campaign, but warns the sector remains under severe strain

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

Tyne Rivers Trust has announced that the photo competition for its 2027 charity calendar is now officially open for entries. Photographers of all ages and experience levels are invited to submit their favourite shots of the Tyne catchment – from sea to source.

This week (4-10 May) marks Deaf Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of deafness while celebrating the UK’s deaf community. This year, the National Deaf Children’s Society is highlighting the early signs of deafness in children and reassuring families that support is available from the very start. Deafness isn’t always obvious.

Nurofen’s Gender Pain Gap Index Report finds more than half (53%) of women felt their pain was ignored or dismissed, rising to nearly three quarters (73%) among women aged 18-24.

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.

The RSPCA has labelled today (1 May) an “historic day for pet ownership” as a new law comes into force that will give more people than ever before in England the opportunity to own an animal. Landlords can presently impose blanket bans on the keeping of pets in private rental properties - without providing a justifiable reason.