An Environment Agency scheme to better protect businesses and homes from flooding on two industrial estates in Hexham is taking a step forward with the Final Business Case approved and funding secured for the £5.2million Flood Alleviation Scheme.

Child abusers will face more time behind bars after the Government confirmed plans to increase the maximum penalties for a range of cruelty offences.

A Yorkshire village at the heart of smart meter trial that could cut up to £500m annually from consumer energy bills and potentially save up to two million tonnes of co2 nationally by Introducing a local energy trial with global impact.

New research by Visit London has revealed the top signs that Christmas is well and truly underway, according to the nation. Christmas adverts appearing (53%), Christmas songs on the radio (50%), festive shop windows (49%), advent calendars in shops (44%), and switching on of the Christmas lights in local towns and cities (42%) topped the list.

Catching COVID-19 carries far higher risk than having the vaccine and only 22% of women who gave birth in August were vaccinated.

Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.529 as a variant under investigation (VUI). The first genomes of this variant were uploaded to the international GISAID database on 22 November.

Over half (55 per cent) in the North East agree they’ve “lost confidence in themselves” as a result of the pandemic. 44 per cent agree they don't know how they'll get their life “back on track”. However, 40 per cent agree that the time to retrain and gain new skills has made them feel optimistic about their future. The Prince’s Trust and Censuswide also finds young people from lower income backgrounds and those who have experienced unstable employment during the pandemic are more likely to report poor mental health and lost confidence

The Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are fast approaching and millions of shoppers are eagerly waiting to ‘click’ and take advantage of the myriad of online deals and offers. Online shopping can be an easy and safe way to make purchases, and the Covid-19 pandemic has only reinforced this trend.

Boosters and third doses will appear on the COVID Pass in England, making it easy for people to show their vaccine status when travelling abroad

Following an increase in avian flu cases in humans in China, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding people travelling to the country to avoid handling produce at wet markets. UKHSA is also advising travellers to China to alert their GP if they experience any symptoms when they return home.

Today’s labour market figures show real pay falling since April 2021 The unemployment rate for BME workers is coming down much more slowly than the rate for white workers And one million people are still on zero-hours contracts

Commenting on today’s (Tuesday) announcement by Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey that the UK government has ratified the International Labour Organization’s Violence and Harassment Convention, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Ratifying the convention is a welcome statement of intent – it now comes down to the action and enforcement that follows.