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.

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.

Recent global events have been little short of apocalyptic, with nearly every world leader turning their backs on Donald Trump, rejecting his efforts to start WW3. 'MAGA' – his battalion of devoted and adoring fans have turned their backs on him, denouncing his actions against Iran - thank god.

New TUC survey findings published today reveal 8 in 10 workers have experienced abuse at work in the past year. 45% of surveyed workers have experienced threats of physical harm in the last 12 months. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak says “ministers must prioritise HSE funding to keep workers safe”.

Landmark new public opinion research published by the Institute of Economic Affairs has found that the British public overwhelmingly supports economic growth. Eighty-seven per cent say the country should focus more on growth, with just 9% saying the country is already wealthy enough.

New urgent treatment centres will do little to nothing in tackling and eradicating the national shame that is corridor care. That’s the warning from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine after the government announced a suite of measures to tackle corridor care in Emergency departments around England.

Invalid Care Allowance, now Carer’s Allowance, was first introduced at the rate of £7.90 a week in 1976. Fifty years on Carer’s Allowance, paid to those caring for a minimum of 35 hours per week, is worth £86.45 a week (2026/27 financial year). If Carer’s Allowance had kept pace with increases in earnings, carers would receive an extra £36.93 each week or £160.46 a month on average.

Equity markets rally after US and Iran agree a two-week ceasefire with FTSE 100 opening up 1.5%. UK Gas prices fall sharply but still remain a third higher as Shell forecasts a cut to gas production in the first quarter. Brent Crude initially falls sharply, as Strait of Hormuz is set to reopen but has been rising again. Inflationary pressures still remain, given energy costs are still significantly higher compared to before the outbreak of war. There are warnings that the jet fuel squeeze will continue for months even if there’s a longer-term agreement.

‘What stops you from despairing?’ The woman who recently asked me that question was part of a group of older people I was chatting to on a Parish visit. There were eight or nine of them and they were anxious. They were worrying about the conflict in Iran and whether it would spiral out of control.

YouGov and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) release latest consumer confidence index data, covering March 2026. Forward looking measure of how people see their household finances records biggest drop since August 2022. Job security perceptions for the past thirty days were both negative and lower than the previous month

Average car commute costs £2,228 per year, with rising fuel, maintenance and parking costs Bus travel could save commuters over £1,100 annually while reducing stress and improving journey time use Stagecoach highlights affordable, flexible travel options across Cumbria and Lancashire

Although March 2026 marks the formal conclusion of the Big Local programme, the impact of the initiative will continue to grow in communities across England. Over the past decade and a half, thousands of residents, volunteers, local businesses and community groups have taken part in the programme. 150 communities were each given control of £1m in long-term funding to improve their areas.

WASPI CAMPAIGNERS have launched a fresh national lobbying tool in their quest for compensation, ahead of a crucial set of elections on Thursday 7 May.

Landmark moment for Yorkshire as years of work and £5.5 million investment culminate in National Trail celebration. Alfred Wainwright's iconic Coast to Coast route officially becomes a National Trail, more than 50 years after it was first walked. Designation brings numerous benefits including improved accessibility, consistent high-quality signage and a central pot of funding for maintenance. Natural England celebrates iconic 190-mile route, reaching its halfway point at Keld and dramatic North Sea finish line at Robin Hood’s Bay.

Today’s data from the Office for National Statistics showed that annual rate of CPI inflation holding at 3.0% in February 2026. The outlook for inflation has changed markedly. The hit to global energy supply so far from events in the Middle East has been profound and the warnings from the International Energy Agency over its “unprecedented” nature are stark.