Revised Workforce Plan to be unveiled in summer, ensuring we train necessary staff and provide the NHS with stability and certainty to plan into the future.

Words from Prime Minister Keir Starmer on events in Syria.

The first Saturday in December is always designated to Small Business Saturday. This is a day when we should all support small local businesses rather than the big nationals. This year in 2024 Small Business Saturday takes place on 7 December 2024.

National Highways is advising drivers to take extra care on the roads and be prepared as Storm Darragh brings very strong winds throughout tomorrow. With gusts of up to 70mph predicted inland across the Northwest, the decision has been taken to close the A66 in both directions (between Augill Beck and Scotch Corner) to all traffic from 7am tomorrow (Saturday, 7 December) for safety reasons.

Time is running out to take advantage of bargain bus travel. Until December 31, passengers can travel on almost any bus in England for only £2, regardless of the length of journey.

The CIPD and the North’s Metro Mayors welcome multi-million pound funding and local powers to reduce joblessness and get more people into work

The past week has seen homes flooded, roads turned into rivers, and winds of up to 82mph recorded across parts of the UK. Storm Bert brought 80% of November’s rainfall and the Met Office is already predicting wetter and windier interludes at the beginning of December, with a risk of snow.

Hestia is raising awareness about how everyone can take action on gender-based violence, in partnership with its Safe Space partners including Metro Bank. Metro Bank store colleagues have been trained to offer a Safe Space to domestic abuse victims, many of whom are also victims of economic abuse by their partners. The support is available in 49 of the Bank’s stores*.

Cases of influenza and other respiratory conditions such as the common cold often rise in the colder months. The online pharmacy Click Pharmacy has conducted new research using NHS and government sources.

With 55% of accidental deaths occurring in the home, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging shoppers to prioritise safety this Black Friday. Unsafe products, counterfeit goods, and poor-quality items can turn your home into a danger zone.

The annual Flutter Charity Ball has raised over £282,000 to help fund potentially life-changing clinical trials for Cure Leukaemia, a leading blood cancer charity. In the run-up to the event, Flutter, the parent company for Sky Betting & Gaming, Betfair, Paddy Power and Tombola, raised over £75,000 – bringing the total amount raised for the charity to an extraordinary £357,000.

New TUC analysis published today shows that even modest gains from the government’s workers’ rights reforms would benefit the UK economy by over £13bn a year. The analysis models some of the key benefits of the Employment Rights Bill – identified by the government’s impact assessment of the Bill.

HMRC is reminding Self Assessment customers to be alert to potential scams and fraudsters ahead of the filing deadline on 31 January 2025.

With the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in full swing, the latest research from over-50s property company, Regency Living, has revealed which cities here in the UK are currently the most sustainable for homebuyers looking to improve their carbon footprint.

Storm Bert has caused significant river and surface water flooding in parts of England

New funding for projects to protect the ocean from the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss; Ruth Davis, the UK’s first Special Representative for Nature, joins ministers to drive ambition on nature recovery and climate change

Major consultation launched to ensure goods or services purchased by NHS are not linked with forced labour or human trafficking; Follows government review which found some NHS suppliers were at high risk of involving modern slavery in purchasing medical equipment; Public bodies will be required to work with suppliers to identify risks and put forward solutions

The Charity Commission has concluded its inquiry into The Captain Tom Foundation.

The winners of the only national awards to celebrate the vital work of councillors across the country were revealed this evening at the 2024 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards. Winners were announced at a ceremony at London’s Guildhall, showcasing the best of local government. Cllr Liam Robinson of Liverpool City Council won Leader of the Year.

The latest research by tlyfe, a UK tenant app launched by OpenBrix, has revealed which major university cities boast the largest level of student rental stock, with demand for student rental properties unlikely to subside, despite news that tuition fees are set to rise across England for the 2025/26 academic year.

Amber Cold Weather Health Alerts are in place for parts of England starting 18 November, with yellow alerts for London and the South from 19 November.

The latest research from over-50s property company, Regency Living, has found that the majority of over-50s homeowners are more likely to downsize their home due to the freeze on inheritance tax brackets announced in the recent Autumn Budget.

65% of UK homeowners are significantly impacted by rising energy costs with 34% dipping into their savings to pay for energy bills. A generation of ‘eco-curious’ consumers are demonstrating a new interest in living more sustainably, yet perceptions of high upfront costs are preventing 57% of people from considering a heat pump. Heat pumps have already cut CO2 emissions by 8 million tonneswith the potential to save households up to 25% on heating costs.

The weather is getting colder, the nights are longer and that means that Christmas is just around the corner. Nothing gets you in the mood for the festive season better than a lights switch on with a glass of mulled wine or mug of hot chocolate, and with towns across Cumbria hosting their own special events no one needs to miss out.