Cumbria Times

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Women Bear Brunt Of Cost Pressures As Savings Take Back Seat, Study Finds

Women across Britain are significantly more anxious than men about meeting everyday living costs over the coming year, with new research warning that mounting financial pressure is forcing many to rely on borrowing and eating into long-term savings rather than building financial resilience for the future.

P.ublished 2nd July 2026

A Third Of People With ‘Red Flag’ Cancer Symptoms Don’t Contact GP

Figures show people with red flag symptoms put off going to the GP and face barriers in seeking help. Cancer Research UK and Tesco have partnered to encourage people to seek help for potential cancer symptoms and support early diagnosis Tesco pharmacists trained by Cancer Research UK available in-store to provide information and support to customers experiencing potential symptoms or concerned about cancer

P.ublished 1st July 2026

Northern Grassroots Football Pitches Baked "As Hard As Concrete" By Climate Change, Clubs Warn

Image by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay

Football clubs across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria say increasingly volatile weather is leaving pitches swinging between waterlogged winters and concrete-hard summers, driving up injuries and landing already stretched grassroots organisations with thousands of pounds in extra costs, a new investigation has found.

P.ublished 1st July 2026

Public Underestimate Daily Water Use By More Than 100 Litres, New Campaign Reveals

Let's Save Water Jeff Brazier Photo: Venetia Dearden

Only one in ten adults in England and Wales understand how much water they use each day, according to research released to mark the launch of a major new campaign aimed at changing the nation's relationship with water.

P.ublished 1st July 2026

Cumbria: New research reveals reading as secret weapon for sport, sleep and mental wellbeing

Whether you're training for a marathon, heading to the gym or playing five-a-side football, a good book could be one of the most powerful tools in your fitness kit.

P.ublished 30th June 2026

Business And Housing Leaders Give Cautious Welcome To Burnham's "Innovation Nation" Vision

Andy Burnham used his first major speech since launching his bid for the Labour leadership to set out an "innovation nation" vision for Britain, built around deeper devolution, a championing of science and entrepreneurship, and a fundamental rethink of how young people are educated and trained.

P.ublished 29th June 2026

Inheritance Remains One Of Britain’s Biggest Taboos In The North West

Nearly four in ten of over 55s in the North West have never discussed inheritance, with widespread gaps in tax and estate planning knowledge

P.ublished 29th June 2026

“We’ve Given Out 2,700 Bottles Of Water In Two Days” Homeless Charity Founder On Heat Risks

Focus4Hope was originally created as a community organisation but became a registered charity so it could respond to increased demand. It offers a range of services to help people avoid crisis points, including food distribution, advice and guidance, and a low-cost food market. But in extreme weather, crisis can become inevitable.

P.ublished 26th June 2026

Women In The North West Lead On Everyday Money Management, But Men Are Still More Likely To Make Long-Term Wealth Decisions

Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

Women in the North West are highly involved in household finances, with more than eight in ten (81%) actively involved in managing daily finances but are less likely to take the lead on the longer-term decisions that shape future wealth, according to new research from St James’s Place (SJP).

P.ublished 26th June 2026

Letter To Editor: Heatwaves & Hearing Aids

Franki Oliver

Dear Editor, Around 3 million people in the UK are hearing aid users. With the temperature this week reported to reach in excess of 38C in some places, RNID, are encouraging hearing aid users to give their devices some extra TLC during the hot weather so they can soak up the sunshine without missing out on conversations.

P.ublished 23rd June 2026

The Cumberland Brings Unique Roadshow To Barrow

Community conversations The Cumberlan

Barrovians are being given the chance this month to help shape the future of The Cumberland. The building society is going out into the town to get the views of local people on banking in the 21st century. The Cumberland is bringing its green sofa and other props to the Bridge community hub in the third stop of its unique roadshow around the county.

P.ublished 23rd June 2026

Opinion

As Labour Weighs a Burnham Succession, Families Are Already Living the Social Care Crisis

Image: Matthias Zomer on Pexels

Sir Keir Starmer's decision to step down has triggered a pivotal moment for Labour and for the future direction of public services, with Andy Burnham the leading contender to succeed him. Burnham has previously spoken about the need for stronger community-based services and reforms to health and social care, making the sector one to watch closely as the leadership contest unfolds.

P.ublished 23rd June 2026

LNER Advises Against Travel On Wednesday And Thursday Following Red Heat Warning

Following the issue of a rare red weather warning, LNER is advising customers travelling throughout this week to check before they travel and strongly recommends customers booked to travel on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June 2026 do not travel.

P.ublished 22nd June 2026

£100,000 Of CrossCountry Community Funds Now Open For Applications

Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has announced that its annual Customer and Communities Improvement Fund, and its Biodiversity Improvement Projects fund, are now open for applications. The two funds are being launched to support local projects that encourage sustainable growth and create a positive impact for local communities across the CrossCountry network.

P.ublished 22nd June 2026

Transport Secretary Makes A Statement On Train Collision At Elstow Near Bedford

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the tragic collision between two passenger trains on Friday 19th June. I realise honourable members will be aware of some of the details, but today I’d like to set out the facts as we know them so far. At approximately 17.15 on Friday evening, two East Midlands Railway passenger trains collided at Elstow near Bedford.

P.ublished 22nd June 2026

AA Signs Marks 120 Years Since First Road Sign Was Erected In Hatfield

AA Signs, one of the oldest parts of The AA, is celebrating 120 years since its first road sign was erected in Hatfield.

P.ublished 22nd June 2026

Northern Preparing For Lake District Tourism Boom Introduces New Ticket Allowing Passengers To Travel On Trains, Buses And Boats

Furness Line Photos: Northern

Passengers are being offered a new ticket that allows them to switch between trains, buses and boats in Cumbria. It comes as a growing number of tourists are booking trips to the Lake District and other popular UK holiday destinations this summer, amid uncertainty over international travel.

P.ublished 22nd June 2026

A Moving Legacy: LNER Unveils ‘Gresley 150’ Azuma Livery To Celebrate Life Of Railway Pioneer

Welcoming LNER Azuma Gresley 150 to Doncaster Station Photo: ©LNER

To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Nigel Gresley, former Chief Mechanical Engineer of the original LNER, a special Azuma train livery has been unveiled at Doncaster railway station.

P.ublished 20th June 2026

Chester To Host The World Cup Of Town Criers As International Hopefuls Prepare To Do Battle

Chester Town Crier David Mitchell

While the world watches the FIFA World Cup, Chester is gearing up to host its own global tournament, and this one comes with bells on. Twenty-five town criers from across the globe will descend on the city this September for the World Town Crier Tournament, organisers Marketing Cheshire have confirmed. The details were announced, fittingly, by Chester Town Crier David Mitchell.

P.ublished 20th June 2026

Blackpool Celebrates Armed Forces Week

Liz Coggins
Features Editor

Blackpool’s Armed Forces Week is back with a programme of events and entertainment to honour the nation’s military personnel of the past, present and future. Armed Forces Week is Blackpool’s opportunity to say thank you to our heroes. Since 2006, we have been celebrating the event annually, and it now forms an integral part of VisitBlackpool’s events calendar.

P.ublished 19th June 2026

Home-Buying Reforms Could Ease Path Onto Property Ladder, Says Skipton Chief

Sweeping reforms to England's home-buying system, unveiled today, have been welcomed by one of the country's leading mortgage lenders as a step towards tackling Britain's affordability challenges.

P.ublished 19th June 2026

Northern Improves In Latest Rail Industry Customer Satisfaction Results

Northern's 'Creating Customer Confidence' programme is helping to deliver one of the biggest customer satisfaction turnarounds in the operator's history. Train operator Northern has moved up from the bottom of the national rankings in Transport Focus's latest rail passenger scorecard, in one of the clearest signs yet that the operator's drive to rebuild passenger trust is working.

P.ublished 19th June 2026

Rail Passengers Rate Their Journeys In Biggest Ever Rail Satisfaction Survey

Over 100,000 passengers surveyed in the biggest rail satisfaction survey in British history. 87 per cent of passengers satisfied with their journey. CrossCountry worst-performing train operator in survey with 79 per cent of passengers satisfied. Hull Trains passengers most satisfied with their journey. Results will be used to drive day-to-day improvements for passengers and inform Great British Railways priorities.

P.ublished 19th June 2026

Bank Base Rate Held At 3.75%

The Bank of England was widely expected to keep interest rates on hold this month. But the Monetary Policy Committee’s focus has now shifted towards digesting the implications of the US-Iran deal to extend the ceasefire and restore energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

P.ublished 18th June 2026

Yorkshire Air Ambulance Doctor Shares Lifesaving Open Water Safety Advice During Drowning Prevention Week

Yorkshire Air Ambulance's Airbus H145 helicopter attends an incident near open water

As Drowning Prevention Week (13-20 June) continues, Yorkshire Air Ambulance is urging the public to take care around open water following a number of tragic incidents across the UK. The annual awareness campaign, led by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), follows reports of more than 17 people losing their lives in open water incidents across the UK since the start of May.

P.ublished 18th June 2026

Employers Turn 'Cautious' On Hiring As Vacancies Fall To Lowest Level Since 2021

Joanne Frew

Overall, the headline figures point to a broadly stable labour market, with little movement in employment and mixed signals on unemployment trends. The UK employment rate was estimated at 75% in the period February to April 2026. This is largely unchanged on both the year and in the latest quarter. The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 4.9% in the same period.

P.ublished 18th June 2026

'Evidence-based' policymaking an illusion

Image: Pixabay

Britain's flagship public health policies of the last fifteen years have not been driven by evidence at all, but rather by political pressure from small, often taxpayer-funded interest groups, according to a new book published by the Institute of Economic Affairs.

P.ublished 18th June 2026

Inflation Stays On Hold, But Relief Will Be Short-Lived

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

ONS data that shows inflation to have held at 2.8 per cent in May

P.ublished 17th June 2026

Scottish Friendly Reports 84% Year-On-year Increase In Q1 ISA Opening Values

The amount of money people invest when they first open an Individual Savings Account (ISA) has jumped by 84% in a year, according to proprietary data from Scottish Friendly. The modern mutual’s data shows that opening values have been steadily increasing over the last four quarters, data for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 shows a 21% increase.

P.ublished 17th June 2026

LNER Becomes First UK Train Operator To Launch Ask For Angela Scheme

LNER has become the first UK train operator to introduce the ‘Ask for Angela’ safeguarding scheme across its trains and managed stations. The launch comes in Rail Safety Week, an industry wide initiative which focuses on rail safety for all. Now in its tenth year, ‘Ask for Angela’ is widely recognised in the night-time economy and helps people leave situations where they feel unsafe.

P.ublished 17th June 2026

New Report Reveals Adoption Support System Is Failing Hundreds Of Families Across The UK

Four in 10 adoptive families say they are facing severe challenges or are at crisis point as the Adoption Barometer 2026 calls for a legal right to lifelong, needs-led support. A major new report from Adoption UK has revealed that too many families are still being left without the support they need once adoptions are made, and adult adoptees continue to be overlooked by policymakers.

P.ublished 16th June 2026

Bereaved Dads Say They Feel Forgotten After Baby Loss

Father’s Day (21 June) can be a particularly difficult and lonely day for those whose baby has died, however long ago. Dads with other children may also have mixed feelings and worry about how to approach the day. Every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth.

P.ublished 16th June 2026

Yorkshire Water Launches Free Water Safety Sessions For Schools During Drowning Prevention Week

Photo: Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water is encouraging schools across the region to take part in its free water safety education programme as part of Drowning Prevention Week 2026, helping children and young people understand the dangers of open waters ahead of the summer holidays.

P.ublished 15th June 2026

Motorway Service Areas Leave Drivers Hungry For Better Value

Image by Mudassar Iqbal from Pixabay

Almost a third of drivers’ rate motorway service area food and drink prices as poor. Drivers are more positive about the food and drink offer than the price. “Drivers should not feel they are paying over the odds simply because they have pulled off the motorway,” says AA President

P.ublished 15th June 2026

‘Hesi Saving’ Trend Sees Brits Missing Out On Investment Growth Potential, Finds Scottish Friendly

UK adults are building cash savings, but a reluctance to invest means millions may risk missing out on potential long term growth, new research from Scottish Friendly finds.

P.ublished 12th June 2026

Royal College Of Emergency Medicine: Corridor Care Data Welcome But Accuracy And Action Are Essential

Image by Claudia from Pixabay

Newly-published data on corridor care is a welcome sign that a national scandal is being taken seriously - but data alone will not make a difference to patient care. This is the key concern from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine today (11 June), following the first-time publication of corridor care data by NHS England.

P.ublished 11th June 2026

All Shipshape: Fibrus Grant Helps Sea Cadets Buy State-Of-the-art Boating Simulator

Whitehaven Sea Cadets have celebrated a major milestone after moving into a permanent new home and unveiling a state-of-the-art boating simulator funded by Fibrus Broadband as part of their Community Fund.

P.ublished 11th June 2026

"UK Roads Are A National Scandal”

Britain’s roads have become the “number one issue” for drivers, businesses and the wider economy, warns Edmund King OBE, AA president, saying motorists are paying billions into the Treasury while too many roads remain dangerous, badly repaired and roadworks poorly coordinated.

P.ublished 11th June 2026

Dementia UK How To Look After Yourself As A Carer Ahead Of Free Clinics In Carlisle And Kendal

Dementia specialist Admiral Nurses will host clinics at Nationwide branches in Carlisle and Kendal to offer tailored support and guidance to anyone affected by the condition Nationwide's and Dementia UK’s free face-to-face clinics are returning to Nationwide branches in Carlisle and Kendal, offering specialist support in a safe, comfortable and private space for people to discuss any aspect of…

P.ublished 10th June 2026

Northern Running New Competition To See WHO Can Reach The Most Stations In A Single Day

A new competition will be held to see who can travel to the highest number of railway stations in the North of England in a single day. Passengers can now apply here for a place in The Great Race Across the North, which will be held on Saturday, 25 July. Ten people will be selected to take part and they can compete solo or bring a friend.

P.ublished 10th June 2026

A Pivotal Moment - Carers UK Responds To Government Consultation On Workplace Rights For Unpaid Carers

Photo: www.kaboompics.com on Pexels

Carers UK today has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a public consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers. The Government’s consultation will explore a range of options to help unpaid carers remain in and return to work, including the introduction of a statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave.

P.ublished 9th June 2026

Northern Gas Networks Launches 2026 Apprenticeship Programme To Break Stereotypes And Open Up Careers Across The North

Northern Gas Networks Apprenticeships

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has launched its 2026 apprenticeship programme, encouraging people across the North of England to start a career in energy — no matter their background. The campaign challenges outdated perceptions of who works in the industry, making it clear that you don’t need to fit a stereotype to succeed.

P.ublished 9th June 2026

‘How Many Deaths Will It Take Before We See A Meaningful Plan To End The Crisis?’

Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

The estimated number of deaths linked to long waits in Emergency Departments across England has surged almost tenfold over the past decade.

P.ublished 8th June 2026

Cumbria Waste Group Announces Sponsorship Of The Cumbria Waste Group Great Cumbrian Run 2026

Cumbria Waste Group has announced its sponsorship of The Great Cumbrian Run 2026, and is delighted that this year’s event will be re-named The Cumbria Waste Group Great Cumbrian Run as part of the partnership. This reflects a shared commitment to community, sustainability, and wellbeing, as Cumbria Waste Group joins forces with one of the county’s most celebrated annual events.

P.ublished 5th June 2026

Schools Invited To Enter Breakfast Club Awards And Win £1,000

Applications have opened for nationwide breakfast club awards, giving schools across the chance to win £1,000 for their breakfast club and be recognised at a special ceremony at the Houses of Parliament.

P.ublished 5th June 2026

Nearly Two-Thirds In The North West Say Dementia Already Affects Daily Life, As Carers Face Mounting Pressures

Nearly one million people in the UK are living with dementia, including more than 106,000 in the North West, but its impact stretches far beyond those diagnosed, with millions of families silently carrying the strain. New research from Alzheimer’s Society, based on a UK wide survey of more than 2,000 people, reveals the emotional toll many are carrying behind closed doors.

P.ublished 5th June 2026

Immanuel Church Awarded National Lottery Funding To Secure Its Future

The Parish of Oswaldtwistle has announced it has received a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save the heritage asset of Immanuel Church and secure it for the future use of the community. Immanuel Church - part of The Parish of Oswaldtwistle - has been awarded the grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to repair and renovate the church roof.

P.ublished 4th June 2026

YouGov/cebr Consumer Confidence Index Records Largest Monthly Increase Since 2021

Overall index increases by 2.6 points this May, the largest monthly increase since May 2021. Britons forward looking view of their household finances recorded the largest monthly increase since May 2020. Perceptions of house prices also improved.

P.ublished 4th June 2026

Parkinson’s And Diabetes Patients Only Received Half Of Their Live-Saving Medications In A&E Last Year

Image by Tung Lam from Pixabay

Too many patients are missing out on their life-saving prescription drugs, or being given them late, in Emergency Departments – and hospital overcrowding is making the problem worse. These are some of the findings the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) can share today, 3 June, from its latest Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) report.

P.ublished 3rd June 2026

Scottish Friendly CEO Backs Calls For Rethink As Half Of Brits Say Investment Risk Warnings Put Them Off Investing

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

Half of UK adults say risk warnings on financial promotions put them off investing, new research from Scottish Friendly reveals, as the mutual’s chief executive Stephen McGee backs calls for a more balanced approach to communicating investment risk and long-term opportunity.

P.ublished 3rd June 2026

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