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.

Too many patients are missing out on their life-saving prescription drugs, or being given them late, in Emergency Departments – and hospital overcrowding is making the problem worse. These are some of the findings the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) can share today, 3 June, from its latest Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) report.

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.

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.

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.

King's Speech did not address pensioner poverty says Independent Age Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson, CBE said: “The King’s Speech did not go far enough in addressing pensioner poverty.

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

Northern passengers are being reminded that some train times will change next week and new Sunday services will be introduced between Whitby and Newcastle. It will happen on Sunday, 17 May, when railway timetables across the country will be updated.

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 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.

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.

TransPennine Express (TPE) is helping customers start their journeys with greater confidence by introducing new Passenger Assistance meeting points at stations across its network. The new meeting points provided by the train operator are clear, easy-to-find spaces where customers can meet a member of staff ready to help.

The UK risks falling further behind Europe on prostate cancer survival rates without the introduction of a national screening programme, a leading surgeon has warned - as new data shows early detection could significantly improve outcomes.

Demand has surged at a residential lettings agency in the north east as private landlords seek expert help to navigate the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act. Xenia Lettings, based in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, has seen a tenfold rise in instructions from property owners since the start of 2026 and has expanded its footprint to include Tyneside and County Durham, as well as Wearside.