Over 45,000 Yorkshire Water customers are set to receive a £70 payment to help them with their bills this winter, the company has revealed.
Whilst UK water bills have not increased, other household utilities have risen by eye-watering amounts this year leaving many on low incomes struggling more than ever.
In response, Yorkshire Water has revealed it will credit its worst off customers with a one-off payment this winter.
Customers on Yorkshire Water's social tariffs WaterSure and WaterSupport can expect to recieve an automatic credit of £70 to their account.
They do not to contact the company in order to get the payment.
Yorkshire Water has five different financial support schemes to support those who are struggling.
Angie Markham–Nock, customer support manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “We know a lot of customers are worried about money at the moment and we’re seeing more people than ever benefit from our financial support schemes.
"We hope this £70 payment will provide some relief to households across Yorkshire this year.
“We don’t want our customers to worry about paying their next bill – our financial support schemes are there to help and can provide some relief to those who need it.”
The announcement follows a new 'mini-budget' announcement by Chancellor on Kwasi Kwarteng that saw the top rate of income tax scrapped, spooking markets and leading to a run on the pound.
As a result, the Bank of England is expected to put up interest rates which will only make the cost of living more expensive for working people this winter.
Earlier this month, new Conservative Prime Minister Liz Truss announced that the government would be stepping in to help people pay their bills - revealing that household energy bills would be capped at £2,500 a year.
However, further analysis of this reveals that that figure is only based on an average energy bill and in fact households will still pay more if they do not conserve their energy.
Regional leaders have confirmed a rail project in the North of England with first improvements taking place in Yorkshire.
The long-awaited Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project will see a whopping £45 billion worth of upgrades.
The first phase will see the construction of a new station in Bradford followed by upgrades in Leeds, York and Sheffield.
The electrification of lines between Sheffield and Leeds, Leeds and York and Leeds and Bradford will be the first priority and is expected to be completed in the 2030s.
The scheme has been described as "a once in a generation commitment to improving transport across the North".
Announcing the scheme, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "I spent three happy years in Leeds as a university student, a vibrant city I was proud to call home, but I've seen first-hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North.
"This government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
"This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt. That's why this government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
Stage two of the plan will include upgrades around Manchester, with the final stage delivering a new railway between Bradford and Huddersfield that wouldn't be delivered until the 2040s.
In a combined statement, the regional mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire said: "The long-term commitment will transform Yorkshire's transport network and deliver improved links across our region and on to Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
"It'll mean we can deliver quicker, more reliable journeys, opening up more choice around work, skills and opportunity for everyone across Yorkshire."
SKYMAGIC, the company behind the display, has worked on previous projects for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee and the coronation of King Charles III no less.
Here's what the website says about the event: "As darkness falls over Bradford, you’ll see extraordinary drone recreations of artworks from across Hockney’s career – from his vibrant Californian pool paintings to his more recent Yorkshire landscapes created on iPads.
"All of these classic works will be portrayed in light, flying high over Saltaire in a dynamic tribute to one of our district’s favourite sons. Don’t miss it.
"Painting the Sky will take place in the open air, so please dress appropriately for the weather."
To find out more, take a look at the Bradford 2025 website.
Georgina Pellant -
29th September 2022 
