Azets warns Yorkshire charities of HMRC clampdown
Warning to Yorkshire charities over increased HMRC activity in sector Charities and not-for-profit organisations in Yorkshire are being warned to ensure all their procedures and records are watertight in the light of new and enhanced compliance activity by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). HMRC has recently initiated a programme of Structured Risk Reviews (SRRs) across…
36 new council-built homes in Walmgate given go-ahead
Planning permission for 36 new homes for social rent and shared ownership was granted last night (Thursday 8 May). The energy-efficient flats and family homes will be built on the site of Willow House in Walmgate, York. To help meet the need for affordable homes in the city, 60% will be for social rent and…
Green plaque honours global impact of Bradford Sling
A World Origin Site green plaque has been unveiled at the University of Bradford to commemorate the global impact of the Bradford Sling and the world‑leading Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU), where the innovation was developed. The internationally recognised Bradford Sling, created at the University following the 1985 Bradford City fire, is a simple but highly…
National warning that England is raising an inactive nation
University of Bradford‑led research may provide the solution England is facing a growing crisis in children’s physical activity, health and wellbeing – and research led by the University of Bradford is now helping to shape what could be a national response. A major new report from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Inactive Nation, warns that more than…
Final push on York Station Gateway highway works
Contractors John Sisk & Son have confirmed the programme for their final works on the highways part of the York Station Gateway project. Once they are finished the new permanent road layout will be in place along with continuous safe cycle lanes and footways, plus the new bus stops and fresh new public space for…
Greater protection for private tenants and new responsibilities for landlords
Across England, changes to private tenancies and landlords’ responsibilities came into effect through the Renters’ Rights Act at the start of May. Among the key changes are that tenancies will automatically roll on, month by month, with no end date. The tenancy can continue until: the tenant and landlord decide together to end the tenancy…
Making tax digital for landlords and sole traders
What You Need to Know (and How to Prepare) If you’re a sole trader or landlord running a small property business, you’ve probably heard about Making Tax Digital (MTD)—but many are still unclear on what it actually means in practice. MTD for Income Tax is a significant change being introduced by HMRC that will affect…
Details of York City FC National League Civic Celebration Parade
York is gearing up for a momentous celebration on Thursday 7 May, as York City Football Club marks its return to the English Football League (EFL) with a victory parade. Hundreds of fans are expected to line the streets of York on Thursday as the city comes together to celebrate York City FC’s victory parade….
From refugee child to scholar – Andrews’ remarkable journey over last 30 years
A University of Bradford student has recalled being a child refugee sleeping next to dead bodies on board a ship while fleeing a war 30 years ago. Andrews Adjei became a refugee in his native Ghana aged six in 1996 after leaving Liberia during the First Liberian Civil War, which ran between 1989 and 1997….
Bradford students ‘over the moon’ after stellar USA trip
A group of 30 lucky Bradford College students returned to Earth with a bump after a trip of a lifetime to study science and engineering in the USA. The Level 2 and 3 Science and Computing students spent 13 days working at prestigious organisations, including NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and The Kennedy Space Centre…
York takes major step towards becoming an Inclusive Recovery City
Over 150 businesses, public, voluntary and community sectors gathered at the LNER Community Stadium today for a landmark briefing on York’s ambition to become an Inclusive Recovery City (IRC). The event marked a significant milestone in York’s commitment to tackling stigma around substance use and recovery, and to creating a city where people in recovery…
One in three stroke survivors may be missing life‑saving medication, new research suggests
Action on Stroke Month (May): why medication could prevent a second stroke and why many don’t get it New research undertaken at University of Bradford is investigating why as many as one in three stroke survivors are missing out on life‑saving medication. Stroke survivors who miss out on essential preventative medication increase their risk of suffering a second – often more disabling – stroke. Stroke survivors are up to 15 times…
First rating from Housing Regulator welcomed as Council reaffirms commitment to tenants
City of York Council has welcomed its first report from the Regulator of Social Housing following an inspection held earlier this year. This is the first time the Council has been inspected by the Regulator which is assessing how social landlords deliver national standards. As a unitary authority, York was inspected in February 2026 against…
Millions invested in Bradford Communities amid growing need
Independent grant maker GiveBradford has helped more than 16,000 people in communities across Bradford since 2023, as it continues its work alongside hundreds of community organisations in a collective mission to tackle poverty and inequality. Working with business partners in Bradford, such as JCT600, The Bartlett Group and Schofield Sweeney, has helped generate vital funds…
Are locally led initiatives more effective than top-down Government schemes?
A new national compendium published by the Key Cities Innovation Network (KCIN) highlights how cities and universities across the UK are rethinking innovation ecosystems to support more inclusive and sustainable regional growth. The University of Bradford is among ten contributors to Innovation Ecosystems, the first i‑PLACE Compendium, which brings together peer‑reviewed research and real‑world case studies exploring how…
LCB to receive over £919k in Government funding for renovations
Leeds College of Building (LCB) is one of 18 colleges in Yorkshire and the Humber set to benefit from government funding for essential estates and building improvements. In a recent announcement, it was confirmed that LCB will receive £919,871 from the FE College Condition Allocation (FECCA) fund. This latest £30 million package from the Government…
First look at Bradford College’s new £19.3m Motor Vehicle & Engineering building
Scaffolding has come down on the new Bradford College Junction Mills building on Thornton Road, set to open in September this year. Junction Mills will offer students skills in new technologies, such as modern automotive and digital engineering, electric/hybrid vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. The building will be vital in supporting the growth of technology and…
Higher labour costs dominate business impact concerns in latest Azets Barometer
Smaller businesses are struggling more than larger companies amid relentless economic challenges and higher labour costs, according to Yorkshire accountants Azets. A business sentiment survey by Azets, the top 10 UK accountancy and business advisory firm with offices in Leeds, Bradford and York, laid bare the issues facing SMEs, which make up the vast majority…
National Offer Day for primary schools- York children allocated their Reception school place for September
A total of 94.3% of children who applied for a Reception place at a primary school in York this September were allocated their first choice on National Offer Day [Thursday 16 April]. All the children who applied for a Year 3 place in a junior school were allocated their first choice. Parents who applied online…
York parents and carers to receive support to help get their child school-ready
York parents and carers with children starting school in September will receive specialist information to help them get their child school-ready this month. Around 1,700 households will receive two information booklets – one focussing on how parents can get children toilet trained before starting school – and another with helpful tips to make sure children…
Understanding property opportunities across West and North Yorkshire
West and North Yorkshire continue to attract interest from property buyers, developers, and business owners, supported by strong regional demand, ongoing regeneration, and a diverse mix of city centres, suburbs and surrounding towns. While Leeds is often seen as the focal point, the wider region, including Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Harrogate and York, presents a range…
York supply specialists secure seven-figure public sector contract with Bolton Council
Following a competitive tendering process, York-based supply specialist, PPS, has been awarded a seven-figure contract with Bolton Council for the supply and delivery of chemicals and consumable goods for services across schools. The three-year agreement will see PPS responsible for supplying a comprehensive range of cleaning and hygiene products to approximately 90 schools across the…
Castle Howard Estate plants over 60,000 trees to create more woodland, as part of wider strategy to sequester carbon and increase biodiversity
Castle Howard has planted 60,978 trees in winter 2025/6 on the Castle Howard Estate, as part of a five-year plan to plant 100 hectares of new woodland, supported by the Forestry Commission England Woodland Creation Offer. Trees have been planted between the Stray (the six-kilometre public road that stretches through the Estate) and the village…
Notre Dame signs up to Leeds City Council’s Future Talent Plan
Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College has formally pledged its support to Leeds City Council’s Future Talent Plan, a city-wide initiative to ensure Leeds becomes a place where no one is left behind in an increasingly competitive labour market. The pledge, submitted by Principal Justine Barlow, reflects Notre Dame’s commitment to supporting young people across…
New ‘Ready for Parenthood’ campaign launches across York and North Yorkshire to support healthier, happier pregnancies
City of York Council, North Yorkshire Council, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and YorSexualHealth have joined forces to launch ‘Ready for Parenthood’ – a new regional campaign designed to help women feel informed, supported, and confident from pre-conception through to birth and beyond. The campaign focuses on three simple themes that make…
Fuel duty regulations
The Cost of War on Transport As a small business, we pride ourselves on flexibility and stability of service. We know that things can be unpredictable for our customers, and that is exactly why we work hard to be a dependable partner for their transport needs. That reliability, however, is deeply compromised when the government…
Free energy improvements keep residents warm and worry-free – and others are urged to apply
Homeowners and private tenants can apply for free energy efficiency improvements to make their home more comfortable and affordable to run. “We feel like we’ve won the Lottery!” say a retired couple in Heworth after their bungalow was made more energy efficient. Solar panels generating free electricity, loft insulation, and air source heat pump and…
Azets’ five cashflow management tips for SMEs: Monitor and manage Work in Progress
Businesses in Yorkshire are being urged to meticulously track the heartbeat of work in progress throughout its lifecycle. Monitoring, managing and making changes to reduce mission creep, improve efficiencies and maximise cashflow are critical steps which can improve a business’ health and growth prospects, according to a senior finance professional. The advice comes from Matthew…
Harrogate Homeless Project Announces New Charity Partnership with Swinton Estate
Harrogate Homeless Project (HHP) is delighted to announce the launch of a new year‑long charity partnership with Swinton Estate, beginning 1st April 2026. This collaboration will raise vital funds and awareness to support people experiencing homelessness across the Harrogate District. Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Proprietor and Countess of Swinton, said: “The Harrogate Homeless Project provides vital, compassionate…
Former smokers from York voice their support for regional quit smoking campaign
Peter Milner and Shaun Bettison from York are lending their support to Yorkshire and Humber’s first quit smoking campaign developed and filmed in the region. Pete, from the Stockton Lane area of York, smoked for more than 50 years before a diagnosis of COPD finally prompted him to quit. Just six weeks after giving up…
New strategy and delivery partner will deliver much-needed homes and facilities
City of York Council will consider creating a new strategy, and securing a new strategic delivery partner to deliver high quality Council buildings including homes for social rent or housing for older people. This new Delivery Strategy has been developed to support the Council’s Housing Delivery Programme (HDP) of building homes for shared ownership and…
New Carers Strategy sets out York’s shared commitment to improving the lives of unpaid carers in the city
A new citywide strategy, setting out a shared vision for improving the lives of unpaid carers, will be considered by City of York Council’s executive later this month (14 April). The draft strategy has been developed through extensive engagement with local carers, carers’ groups and partner organisations. It focuses on four key areas of work:…
April powers: abolition of tax relief for household expenses for 300,000 people
Employers may be expected to plug the shortfall of up to £124 a year, adding to rising business costs Impacts employees who incur homeworking costs that are not reimbursed by their employer Measure, from Monday, April 6, will particularly affect remote staff if their employer doesn’t have a workplace Around 300,000 people working from home…
Residents struggling with heating costs urged to apply for financial assistance from the York Crisis and Resilience Fund
City of York Council is encouraging residents who are having trouble affording their heating bills to apply for support through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which is replacing the Household Support Fund. The fund is designed to provide swift, practical financial help for residents experiencing hardship, particularly during periods of high energy demand, including…
Highways maintenance plan dedicates £16.5m across York
York’s annual maintenance plan for our roads and streets has been published today (31 March), which will result in a 50% increase in investment in highways, pathways, lighting, drainage and more. This will see significantly more invested in York’s roads than in previous years and the wide-ranging plan commits to highway repair schemes in villages…
Public consultation on proposed rail upgrades between Standedge and Gledholt (Huddersfield) extended
The public consultation on proposed rail upgrades between Standedge and Gledholt has been extended, giving communities in and around Huddersfield more time to share their views. The consultation, which opened on Monday 16 February 2026, has been extended until Friday 24 April 2026. The extension provides a further opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to…
Award winning York data firm secures grant thanks to support from City of York Council
City of York Council is celebrating the continued success of York-based data transformation specialist Simpson Associates, following targeted support from the Council’s Business Growth Manager to help the company expand its reach, strengthen partnerships and unlock new opportunities. After help from the council’s Business Growth Manager they have recently secured £10,000 from the Get Exporting…
50,000 tonnes of ballast, 11.5km of track, 5,515 sleepers: the numbers behind TRU’s next series of major upgrades
Throughout May and June, Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) teams will take another huge step in delivering faster, more frequent trains on a greener railway across the North, through a series of engineering works between Huddersfield and Leeds. From Saturday 2 May until Monday 25 May, 56 engineering trains will be deployed along this stretch of…
Turning a ‘problem’ into global strength: Peace Studies leads 60th anniversary lectures
A remark reportedly made by Margaret Thatcher; ‘Has that Peace Studies problem been dealt with yet?’ is now inspiring a forward-looking conversation as the University of Bradford launches its 60th anniversary lecture series. The lecture’s title, inspired by the 1984 quote, shows how far the University has come since those early questions about whether a…
York woodland supports work of York’s foster carers
The work of City of York Council’s amazing foster carers is being recognised and celebrated with a special area of designated woodland at York Community Woodland this spring. The 78 hectare York Community Woodland site has been identified by the council to increase green space in the city. The area of woodland dedicated to fostering…
University of Leeds ‘Growing Well Study’ to launch pop-up research hub at Merrion Centre
Families invited to participate in child health research in central Leeds The Merrion Centre continues to diversify its city centre offering with the arrival of a new research-led pop-up from the University of Leeds this April. Located in an upper-balcony level retail unit, the temporary ‘Growing Well Study’ hub will open on 8th April and provide…
Buy-to-let property in West Yorkshire: Rental yields and capital growth around Leeds
West Yorkshire continues to be a key area of interest for buy-to-let property, particularly for those looking beyond Leeds city centre and into the surrounding suburbs and commuter towns. While Leeds remains a strong economic hub, many buyers are now exploring nearby areas where entry prices are more accessible and rental yields can be comparatively…
94% of businesses not ready for Making Tax Digital
A UK poll of businesses shows that 94% are not prepared for Making Tax Digital (MTD) which is being introduced from 6 April. Firms were responding to the survey carried out by UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm Azets, which has offices in Leeds, Bradford and York. Fraser Campbell, UK head of accounts…
Bradford secures fifth #1 Social Mobility ranking amid rising national performance
The University of Bradford has been ranked first on the Higher Education Policy Institute’s (HEPI) Social Mobility Index for the fifth consecutive year. The SMI result sits alongside other strong performance markers, including being ranked 16th in the UK for graduate employment (HESA, 2025) and 8th nationally for ‘value added’ by the most recent Guardian University League Table. University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Braisby said: “This…
Have your say on introducing wheeled recycling bins
City of York Council is set to launch a city‑wide consultation inviting residents to share their views on proposed changes to kerbside recycling collections from Monday 23 March. The council is considering moving from the current three‑box system to a wheeled‑bin service and is asking households across the city to take part in a short online…
Final opportunity to have your say on car parking charges consultation
A review of car parking charges in Bishopthorpe Road, Micklegate, The Groves and East Parade/Heworth has entered its final phase with a series of face-to-face drop-in sessions. A consultation has been taking place over the past few months after residents and business in all four of these areas initiated a challenge to parking charges through The Right to…
York welcomes two new Youth Parliament representatives
City of York Council is pleased to announce the results of the recent online election for York’s representatives in the UK Youth Parliament. Following a strong turnout from young people across the city, Will has been elected as York’s new Member of Youth Parliament (MYP), with William chosen as Deputy Member of Youth Parliament (DMYP)….
Work underway on new £100m TrainCare Centre in Shipley
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) has this week welcomed Leader of Bradford Council, Susan Hinchcliffe, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw and Councillor Liz Rowe to its Shipley site, where the programme is investing over £100m in the construction of a new TrainCare Centre. The rail depot will initially be used to house and maintain Northern’s fleet of…