The government’s generational smoking ban will syphon billions of pounds from government coffers to criminal gangs. The UK government receives £10 billion annually from tobacco duty, which risks being lost to criminal gangs under prohibitionist plans.

Come rain or shine, there’s no denying that the nation loves to make quintessentially British statements about the weather. As parts of the UK braces for snow this week, it's not surprising that Brits are guaranteed to voice a few annoyances at the lower temperatures. But when it comes to the most popular British slang phrases to describe the cold, what are they?

The Government’s focus on clearing the asylum application backlog quickly is putting thousands of refugees at risk of homelessness and rough sleeping, warns the Local Government Association today. According to Home Office data, there were around 90,000 decisions on older cases forecasted to be made before the end of December 2023.

Cost-of-living means frugal Brits will create their own decorations (28%), buy second hand (17%) hand make gifts (12%) or offer their time (5%) to maximise festive finances; Younger Brits are proving extra entrepreneurial, boosting their incomes by selling second hand items (33%) and making money from a hobby (16%); As living costs continue to bite, consumers are opting for some Christmas cutbacks such as buying less expensive food and going out less (both 25%)

TransPennine Express (TPE) is urging customers to be prepared and check their journeys, as changes to rail timetables are planned to take place this month (10 December). The rail operator has confirmed that there will be several changes to its services when the next timetable is introduced from Sunday 10 December, resulting in changes to train times for some customers.

New research from over-50’s propertycompany, Quickmove Properties, reveals that bungalow construction has dropped to account for just 1.2% of all new-build completions, creating a void in the market that modern luxury bungalow-style park homes are vying to fill.

A sustainability event called Congress of the People Planet Pints (COPPP) is coming to Leeds on Thursday, December 7. An alternative to COP28, it is part of a nationwide party to empower people to take action in their local community, and highlight the great work that is already going on.

The rugby legend, Kevin Sinfield starts his incredible 7 in 7 in 7 endurance event this year in Yorkshire! He will run 7 ultra marathons (27.2 miles) in 7 days in 7 cities to raise awareness and money in support of people impacted by motor neurone disease, and his first run will be from Leeds to York on 1st December.

Lower taxes alone will not lift our economy out of this long-term rut caused by thirteen years of underinvestment and cuts to public services. “The only way to raise living standards, end the cost of living crisis and cut taxes in the long-term, is by investing in the things that really matter – housing, education, health and transport.

Analysis by finance company RIFT, has found that while the majority of us intend to reduce the number of Christmas lights we adorn our homes with this year due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, it may not be the energy zapping endeavour we think it is, with the average cost of decking the halls throughout the entire month of December coming in at just £1.34 for the entire month for the aver…

The operator of the Tyne Tunnels, TT2, is forewarning drivers of an upcoming temporary tunnel closure to allow for maintenance and an emergency training exercise to be carried out.

Low Pay Commission recommendations take the minimum wage to its long term target in April 2024

The Foreign Secretary has visited Kyiv, where he reaffirmed the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine and met President Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Kuleba.

The latest research from digital identity security company, ID Crypt Global, has revealed that a quarter of UK parents (23%), believe their child is addicted to gaming, with them becoming annoyed, frustrated or angry if prevented from playing their gaming device of choice.

Call comes after crunch rail summit with regional and industry leaders in Manchester yesterday. The TUC and Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) have today (Tuesday) called for a new “cross-party consensus” on investment in essential infrastructure.

Celebrities have often been known to lend their names to causes. Some do it for the joint publicity potential, while for others, it is clear, they do it for more wholehearted reasons.

With burglary claims increasing by 106% since 2020 and over half of the UK admitting to being victims of a home burglary, a new survey has revealed the human side of home burglaries.

A leading campaigner on mental health has urged Brits to be kind as it can help others and boost you own wellbeing.

The latest research by UK probate brokers, has found that 96% of the UK public believe someone who is terminally ill should have the right to opt for assisted dying. Just last week, a private members bill progressed to the House of Keys which would give terminally-ill residents on the Isle of Man the right to die.

National Highways has issued a severe weather warning for gales in the North West of England tomorrow, between 9am and 4pm.

Research by easyMoney has found that 59% of us will be making cutbacks this Christmas, as the high cost of living continues to stretch our household finances to breaking point. A survey of UK households, found that 64% of us usually compile an additional savings pot in the run up to Christmas to help with the increased cost of the holiday season.

Northern is offering complimentary travel across the entire network for service personnel travelling to Remembrance Sunday services.

Research by Yopa, the national estate agency, has revealed which street names are proving most popular amongst the nation’s homebuyers, with High Street topping the table along with Station Road and Church Street.

The latest research by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has revealed that while half of the nation believe November marks the countdown to Christmas, the majority of us think it’s bad Christmas etiquette to start putting up decorations around the home until early December, at the very least.

North East police cadets from the UK’s first Volunteer Police Cadetship for students with specialist educational needs have shown their disabilities don’t stop them as they scoop a prestigious national award. The cadet unit beat 246 other teams from across England and Wales to win the accolade for their outstanding contribution to volunteering in policing.