Foodbanks say they are seeing a big rise in requests
Foodbanks say they are dealing with a big rise in requests for help from families who can't afford to put food on the table.
Coroner's warning after M-cat death
A coroner's issued a warning about the "savage legacy" of M-Cat after hearing about the death of a woman who took the former legal-high.
Minster holds meeting to help the finances of farmers
Major banks and farming charities are holding a meeting at a landmark summit called by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson.
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Hs2 is a "£33b gamble"
A think-tank said in a report out today the demand for the HS2 link - which will connect Leeds to London - has been "overestimated".
– Spokesman for the New Economics Foundation - who published the report"Demand for HS2 has likely been overestimated by oversimplified government modelling.
The foundation suggested alternatives for the money that will be spent on HS2: £10 billion could transform rail infrastructure in northern England and the Midlands, creating new and faster east-west rail links, redeveloping stations and electrifying regional rail lines
"It could overhaul the East and West Coast main lines, increasing the speed, capacity and reliability of north-south rail travel with less environmental damage than HS2."
– David Theiss, a researcher at the NEF,"HS2 is the largest transport investment in the UK's history. At the moment it amounts to a £33 billion gamble.
"Our research shows the Government is backing the wrong horse. Instead of pouring billions of pounds into a single line that will take 20 years to complete we should be spreading our bets on a wider range of transport investments that offer better value for money."
Hs2 "won't tackle north-south divide"
Demand for the HS2 high-speed rail project has "likely been overestimated", according to a report by a think-tank.
Evidence HS2 will promote economic growth or tackle the north-south divide is "limited", the report - from the New Economics Foundation - claims.
HS2 will reduce the average journey time from central Leeds to London from 2 hours 20 minutes to 1 hour 28 minutes.
The report adds the line will be "carbon intensive and environmentally damaging".
In January 2012 the construction of phase 1 between London and Birmingham was approved. Construction is set to begin in 2017 with an indicated opening date of 2026.
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Transport Minister: lines would be over-capacity without HS2
"Demand for long-distance rail travel has doubled to 125 million journeys a year in the past 15 years and by the mid-2020s the West Coast Main Line will be completely full.
"HS2 will provide the capacity needed in a way that will support thousands of jobs and billions of pounds worth of economic benefits.
– Simon Burns, Transport Minister"It is not a case of HS2 and nothing else. During 2014-19 we are investing over £9b on the current rail network, while latest figures show over a one year period we spent upwards of £8.7 billion on our roads.
"We will continue to make significant investment into all modes of transport across the country."
Poverty blamed for food theft increase
It's being claimed an increasing number of people are turning to stealing food as they struggle to make ends meet.
Police in Hull say there has been a dramatic increase in the crime, with a lot of thieves taking basic goods.
They have now set up patrols around the city to tackle the problem.
Plans for leisure centre revamp go on display
Plans for a 20 million pound refurbishment of Bridlington's Leisure World have gone on display. The new look centre will feature a climbing wall and brand new swimming pool.
Public meeting held to save Yorkshire museums
A public meeting to save the National Media Museum will be held tonight at Bradford City Hall. The media museum and York's National Railway Museum are under threat due to Government budget cuts.
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BREAKING: Two guilty in £100m drugs trial
Two men who were part of drug gangs who flooded the streets of SouthYorkshire with cocaine with an estimated street value of £100 millionhave been found guilty by a jury at Sheffield Crown Court.
In all, 11criminals are facing lengthy jail sentences for their part in a highlysophisticated operation to smuggle cocaine from Mexico hidden inhydraulic lifts.
Homeless support services get grant
Services supporting former homeless people may be extended after a charity which provides a home and meaningful work to those who have previously experienced problems was handed a £25,000 grant.
Emmaus Leeds was given the funding by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales, and the charity will use the money to fund the salary of an administrator.
The charity is also hoping to increase its case load, supporting 28 people per year instead of 26.
Emmaus currently provides 26 rooms, giving a home to people who have struggled with drugs or alcohol, or mental health issues.
Residents are involved in the running of a charity shop, coffee shop and furniture recycling operation.
– Ali Ward, Emmaus Leeds general managerThis grant will help us to fund an essential role at the charity.
"Emmaus provides beneficiaries with safe accommodation and the work skills they need to regain their self-confidence and self-esteem and move into a more independent way of living."
Business park could bring 2,500 jobs
Plans for a £50 million business park, could bring 2,500 jobs to North Yorkshire.
Property development company The Glentrool Estate Group are planning to transform a 90-acre site at Sherburn-in-Elmet into a business and employment park.
Called The Proving Ground, the site is next to the existing successful Sherburn Enterprise Park, which is already occupied by Debenhams, Sainsbury, Optare and Eddie Stobart. The Enterprise Park was once part of Sherburn Airfield.
The plans have been submitted to Selby Council.
Dad's charity run to thank ambulance service which saved son's life
With his mum Vicky and dad Matt, Rhys Gardner looks a picture of health. But a little over a year ago it was a very different story.
Rhys, from Doncaster, was born three and a half months premature and weighed in at just one pound ten ounces and was given only a 20 percent chance of survival.
He needed three operations which saw him transported between hospitals in Sheffield, Leeds and Doncaster by Sheffield Children's Hospital Embrace transport service. The first trip to Leeds was made in the middle of a snow storm.
– Vicky Gardener, Rhys' mumHe had to be moved to a higher grade hospital so obviously I went up to the ward and he was taken straight up neo-natal so at that point they had to get him away from Doncaster and into a more advanced hospital as such which at that time was Leeds.
"It was the 4th of February and it was really really heavy snow so it was obviously critical he had to be moved. There was obviously the danger in moving him in such poor conditions but he had to be moved.''
Now Rhys' dad Matt is planning to run the route the ambulances took to raise money for charity.
