People on the street: How early is too early for Christmas presents?

School Attendance crisis in the North East

3m

On average, around 2.5% of school pupils miss 50% or more of their education in a school year, with some areas reporting a rise in long term absences.

Leeds Street Luger Andy Speight prepares for WDSC

3m

We meet 57-year-old Leeds Street Luge competitor Andy Speight as he gears up for the World Downhill Skateboarding Championship on the Isle of Man.

Is June too early to start Christmas shopping? Birmingham weighs in

1m

A third of Brits are already budgeting for Christmas—and one in five have started buying gifts. We ask people in Birmingham whether this is smart planning or just plain too soon.

Christmas shopping in the summer sun

2m

With the cost of living crisis showing no signs of letting up, we talk to finance expert, Kevin Mountford, about why more and more people are starting to prepare for Christmas as early as June.

Plans unveiled for solar farm near Birmingham Airport

1m

Plans have been revealed for a massive solar farm just south of Birmingham Airport. French energy giant TotalEnergies says it could power 14,000 homes a year—and is in talks to supply the airport directly. But questions remain around land use, planning, and transparency. Public consultation is open until 7 July.

Is June too early to start Christmas shopping?

1m

A third have started budgeting for Christmas and a fifth have started buying presents, do you think June is too early for Christmas shopping?

Historic warehouse set to be converted into apartments

1m

The historic A Bond warehouse on Bristol’s Spike Island is set to be converted into 100 luxury apartments by developer, Goram Homes.

Sharon Osbourne reflects as Ozzy exhibition opens in Birmingham

3m

As Birmingham prepares for what could be Black Sabbath’s final show, the city is paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with a series of public displays and a major new exhibition. ‘Working Class Hero’ at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery charts Ozzy’s rise from Aston to international fame. We meet Sharon Osbourne at the launch to hear her thoughts on legacy, unpredictability—and what she hopes fans will carry with them after the last note fades.

Fraud Investigation of Newcastle Council

1m

The council has confirmed that an internal investigation into “financial irregularities” within its transport division has now reached a new phase, with the findings formally passed to Northumbria Police for further review

The story around the fire at Manchester’s Hotspur Press

1m

Here is all you need to know about the Hotspur Press building, which set on fire earlier his week, catastrophically damaging the building.