News

When Yorkshire is due to get hot as a fourth heatwave of the year hits the UK

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 29th July 2026

Yes, ANOTHER heatwave is set to hit the UK - the fourth in 2026 so far - and, understandably, Yorkshire residents are already preparing for the latest blast of hot weather and wondering when it arrives.

Yes, in case you missed the news, more high temperatures are set to spread across the UK and Ireland this month and heading into August.

The increase will gradually build throughout this week, with Wednesday tipped to be the hottest day according to various meteorologists.

While Yorkshire thankfully isn't quite slated to get the sweatiest, parts of the Midlands and the usual suspects down south are set to hit the highest numbers, but the thermometers are still on course to reach around the mid-20s over the coming days.

When does the next heatwave hit Yorkshire?

As per data from BBC Weather and the Met Office, Yorkshire's heatwave started yesterday on Tues, 28 July.

Estimates of 26°C were predicted for this coming Tuesday, with the levels floating in and around 24/25 on the following Wednesday.

The heat is then due to drop off slowly, with top scores of no higher than 21°C on the cards for Thursday and Friday. Although the weekend forecast is less certain at present, one thing that has been announced is reduced rainfall.

Aside from a few more trickles today (Mon, 27 July), the showers or lack thereof cease rather soon, with some of the driest parts of the country already having various effects; for instance, parched parts of Wales have even revealed lost archaeological sites last Friday (24/7/2026).

It would be remiss if we didn't mention the obvious moorland fires across our region, which were sadly exacerbated by hot weather earlier this month.

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Featured Images — The Hoot Leeds

News

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is opening Health and Social Care North in Leeds

Danny Jones Danny Jones New health and social care north office in leeds

Newly-appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham has shared plans for a brand-new Health and Social Care 'North' in Leeds as one of his first big plans as leader.

Set to be based right here in the city centre, the new Yorkshire base for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will serve as a Northern hub for the crucial cog in the public sector.

This comes not long after Andy Burnham announced and opened 'No. 10 North' at his previous base over in Greater Manchester, which took barely a week to get up and running.

Headed up by current Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, the initiative will be building on the vision outlined not only by Burnham but on the groundwork laid by her predecessor and now Defence Minister, Wes Streeting.

As per a report by LBC, an insider close to Cooper - the Labour MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley - told the outlet that this big step for the North "will help bring decision-making closer to the communities we serve and strengthen our ability to improve health outcomes across the country."

"She has asked the Department to draw up plans that would complement the plans for Number 10 North on the other side of the Pennines", they continued, "allowing  Ministers to work from Quarry House [in LS2] in the North, and strengthening DHSC operations in other parts of the country."

With confirmation now coming that the old 'Quarry on the Hill' has been chosen as the satellite station for the soon-to-be-overhauled Department, the selection makes sense given its current government operations.

As well as being a major headquarters for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), it also has offices reporting to DHSC, NHS staff and other parts of the civil service.

In addition, it's also worth noting that the PM has just announced another big change to the education sector, too, essentially trying to redress the balance between "academic and technical" training.

Great news for everyone looking to seek out solid and hopefully more stable careers across the nation.

https://thehootleeds.com/news/the-government-has-announced-fundamental-changes-to-the-uks-education-system/
Well worth a read through.

Building on Leeds' existing offices, the idea is that this will ensure more considered development across more regions and specific communities, West Yorkshire being just one of them.

Many localities still understandably feel like they fall foul of being somewhat overlooked, especially up in this part of the country.

But, as alluded to above, the hope is that this continued sense of devolution and efforts to work more directly with local governments should help bridge the gap between Whitehall, Westminster and the rest.

As the PM said in his first speech at his new Northern premises, he said a big part of his ethos is about "putting power in every postcode" and making a change from things just feeling "like an argument with people in the centre of government and people having a to and from all of the time."

While official opening dates etc for Health and Social Care North are still yet to be revealed, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester has insisted that he will be working from No.10 North at least once a week. What do you make of it all, Leeds?

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Featured Images — r44flyer (via Flickr)/Samantha Cheverton (via Geograph)/Mtaylor848 (via Wikimedia Commons)

News

The Government has announced ‘fundamental’ changes to the UK’s education system

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The Government will unveil a fundamental change to the education system today with the launch of new prestigious technical educational routes.

Andy Burnham says he is 'determined' to put technical education on an equal footing with the traditional academic path to ensure there are no so-called 'dead ends' for young people coming out of the education system by providing them high-quality alternative routes that are valued and respected by students, parents, and employers alike.

The new pathways will provide 14-year-olds with 'valuable' early access to technical skills, work experience, and connections with local employers.

Building on successful local initiatives - such as the MBacc, launched by Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester when he was Mayor - the new technical routes will mean young people can develop the technical knowledge and skills needed to progress in areas like engineering, healthcare, and digital technology.

It will aim to 'skill them up' with the specific knowledge and capabilities that local employers need. 

School exam hall / classroom
The Government has announced 'fundamental' changes to the UK's education system / Credit: MChe Lee (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons

So, how will it all work then? Well, when students enter Year 10, they will have the chance to combine core academic subjects - including English, Maths, and Science - with a high-quality technical education that’s linked to the jobs available in their area.

During these courses, students will be able to spend time with employers and gain valuable real-world experience.  

Regional mayors, local leaders, schools, colleges, and employers will work together to shape these new technical education pathways, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system.

To support this, the Government says it will prioritise funding towards high-quality technical education and practical routes into work, and will also change the way school performance is measured so that inspectors recognise the schools support young people to develop the skills, experience, and confidence employers want.

This way, no matter whether young people choose university, an apprenticeship, further education, or direct entry into a skilled profession, they will able to see a clear route from education into employment.

"For too long in this country, students have been told that you must take the academic path to do well and to be respected," explained Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

"The whole school system has been built around it and that has let down young people seeking technical qualifications.

"I want an education system based on parity between academic and technical which gives all young people a clear path in life.

"From today, Britain will value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap."

Featured Image - MChe Lee (via Unsplash)

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