A dry and overcast morning followed by showery rain for a time during the early afternoon, then remaining mostly cloudy for the rest of the day.
Tonight, it will be dry and cold with largely cloudy skies:
A serial sex offender jailed for raping and murdering a student could have his sentence increased after his case was referred to the Attorney General.
Image source, Humberside PolicePawel Relowicz is serving 27 years in prison after attacking Libby Squire and dumping her body in a Hull river.
The father-of-two had committed a string of sex offences against women before killing the 21-year-old.
His case will be examined under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme, the Attorney General's office said.
Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to decide whether to refer cases to the Court of Appeal, where the sentence may be increased.
Image source, Squire familyRelowicz, 26, who worked as a butcher, was jailed on 12 February following a 14-day trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Jurors heard he had "cruised the streets" in the student area of Hull before spotting "vulnerable" Ms Squire, 21, in a drunken state on Beverley Road in the early hours of 1 February 2019.
He drove her to nearby Oak Road playing fields where he raped her and then dumped her body in the River Hull.
The body of Ms Squire, of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, was recovered from the Humber Estuary nearly seven weeks later.
South Yorkshire mayor Dan Jarvis has claimed today's Budget announcement was driven by "naked political ambition and funded by half-measures".
Image source, UK ParliamentMr Jarvis, who is also the Labour MP for Barnsley, described Chancellor Rishi Sunak's budget as a "political ploy" and claimed it would not offer the support needed by people across South Yorkshire to recover from the pandemic.
“It was a Budget driven from Westminster, by naked political ambition and funded by half-measures.
"I’m pleased the Chancellor has listened to calls for ongoing support during Covid restrictions, but six-month extensions for low-income families, self-employed workers and business only mean an anxious wait until the autumn – while millions will still miss out in the meantime.”
Outlining his economic plans earlier, Mr Sunak said he wanted to "protect the jobs and livelihoods of the British people" and, among other measures, announced plans to extend the furlough scheme until September and a freeze on National Insurance and VAT rates.
PA Media
The Humber region will be one of eight sites in England where a freeport will be located, it has been confirmed.
Image source, Reuters/Peter CziborraPledged in the Conservative Party 2019 manifesto, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in his Budget speech that the Humber region as well as East Midlands Airport, Felixstowe and Harwich, the Liverpool City Region, Plymouth, Solent and Thames and Teesside are all set to benefit from the post-Brexit status.
Mr Sunak said the "special economic zones with different rules to make it easier and cheaper to do business" would come with simpler planning, cheaper customs - with favourable tariffs, VAT or duties - and lower taxes, with "tax breaks to encourage construction, private investment and job creation".
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay, quizzed about freeports by MPs last month, said he had expected the locations to be announced in "the spring", with the first freeports "ideally operational by the end of the year".
The freeport model works by allowing companies to import goods tariff-free and only paying once it is sold into the domestic market, or exporting the final goods without paying UK tariffs.
Further announcements are still expected on freeports within the devolved administrations, with the manifesto committing to creating 10 in total in the UK.
More than 25 people with East Yorkshire accents have responded to an appeal for voice donors to help a man with cerebral palsy sound less "American".
Image source, Richie CottinghamRichie Cottingham, from Howden, uses a speaking aid which has a generic voice, however he said that does not represent his identity.
The 26-year-old appealed for voice donors as he wants to blend recordings of two local men, of similar age to him, to create a new voice, which would then be installed on his electronic speech aid.
His speech and language therapist, Jennifer Benson, said: "It's absolutely brilliant.
"We've had lots of responses. We've asked them to send recordings of themselves and then we'll make a shortlist of all the ones we've received and Richie will vote for the ones he likes best."
Since the first case on 3 March last year more than 600 people have died from Covid-19 in Hull.
Read MoreStudents in Yorkshire have been complaining about the value of their university courses after the majority went online, a student officer has said.
Image source, PA MediaJian Feng, International Student Officer at the University of Leeds, said officers at other universities had come together to petition the government to compensate students.
He said the impact had left many students very unhappy.
"The government has not taken enough responsibility and kept pointing out that the universities should decide by themselves whether or not they want to offer any refunds," he said.
"It is disappointing to see the government is not doing enough to support our generation of young people in higher education."
The government said the Office for Students was monitoring online teaching to ensure the quality of tuition remained high and it was working to protect the education and wellbeing of all students.
In a joint statement, the universities of York, Leeds and Sheffield, said: "It's been a challenging year for all our students and we know the pandemic has impacted their experience in many different ways, but we've all adapted and invested in the online experience and seen some truly impressive innovations"
How to "do the right thing" and increase the amount of waste recycled in York will be discussed at a council meeting later.
Recycling rates have stayed at about 44% for four years, according to the council, which says "the aim is to really increase it, to drop our impact on the environment and do the right thing."
Councillor Paula Widdowson, who has responsibility for the environment in the city, said: "If you add in everything that goes to the tip, over half of our rubbish is recycled.
"We're also at the stage where the bin lorries which do the recycling need replacing, so it's an ideal time to look at the whole way in which we collect stuff.
"Councils don't have a lot of money and have even less due to the coronavirus pandemic, so we're looking for a solution which doesn't cost any more money, which is easier to use and which makes use of the best technology."
Ms Widdowson said ideas include increasing the range of items currently recycled and said it could mean a change to collection routines and providing residents with larger domestic recycling containers.
A report by officers will be considered by Ms Widdowson tonight.
BBC Radio Bradford
A funding bid is being prepared to create a new hospital in Bradford, a NHS trust has said.
Image source, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustBradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust says the plans are part of work to explore how it can meet future needs and a growing demand for health services.
The trust is planning to bid for funding from the NHS New Hospital Programme, which is the Prime Minister's pledge to build 40 new hospitals by 2030.
It's also part of district-wide infrastructure planning, co-ordinated by Bradford Council, to create a sustainable future.
The trust''s chief executive Mel Pickup said: “As the youngest city in Europe, with 29% of our population under 20 and nearly a quarter under 16, the need for local healthcare services will continue to grow.
“This, coupled with our trust’s ageing estate, drives the need for strategic healthcare planning and exploring options to secure funding for future large-scale development."
Cara Thorpe
BBC Radio Leeds
We've heard of a bird in the hand is worth two in a bush...but how about two in a set of traffic lights?
Image source, James KearsleyThis snap of mistle thrushes nesting in the lights, was taken by amateur photographer James Kearsley, 28, outside the University of Leeds building.
After going viral on social media, he's been nominated in a category of the prestigious Bird Photographer Of The Year awards, one of just a handful out more than 60,000 entries.
Following James' discovery of the new feathered residents, many birdwatchers swarmed the traffic lights to take their own photos and videos last month.
"I've been doing photography for about six years now," James said.
"I'm absolutely over the moon, this is the first time I've entered this photo into a competition and to get shortlisted in one as prestigious as this makes me so happy."
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Kirklees Council has apologised to people living on a Huddersfield street after bags of household waste were left uncollected for six days.
Image source, Local Democracy Reporting ServiceResidents of Ramsden Street said a missed collection was attracting vermin and provided “a feast for rats”.
People have to empty their bins and leave the bags for collection at the end of the street as it's too narrow for bin lorries.
However, residents said last week’s missed collection was the third time since the beginning of the year.
A council spokeswoman said they had been made aware of the issue and apologised to residents.
“We have made arrangements for the waste to be cleared and the bins emptied, and have made sure that the street is set up for regular collections in future,” she added.
A year after floods damaged almost 100 homes in East Yorkshire, some residents have still not returned to their homes.
Image source, Environment AgencyThe houses in Snaith and East Cowick were flooded when the River Aire overtopped on 27 February 2020.
Resident Kevin Lorryman's home was completely engulfed in 9ft of flood water, and he is still living in rented accommodation.
He said he is locked in negotiations with his insurance company over a claim to have the house rebuilt.
Revd Eleanor Robertshaw, Team Rector of Great Snaith, said the aftermath of the flooding had been a "nightmare" for some residents.
The Environment Agency (EA) said it had repaired 18 flood defences along the river since the incident as part of a £10m project.
It said February 2020 was the wettest on record in Yorkshire and the River Aire catchment experienced more than three times the average monthly rainfall.
Emergency temporary repairs were carried out to flood defences, which are now in the process of being made permanent.
Kimberley MacPherson, West Yorkshire Operations Manager at the EA, said: "The floods of Storm Ciara had a devastating impact on communities in Yorkshire.
"Our thoughts remain with those affected, especially people who are yet to return to their homes and who have also had to cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic."
Two new police stations are to be built in West Yorkshire, it's been announced.
Image source, Nineteen47West Yorkshire Police wants to convert the former Kirklees College site in Halifax Road, Dewsbury, and also plans to build on the Fiat/Nissan site in Broadway, Huddersfield.
The force, which has launched a public consultation, external on the proposals, said they hoped to submit planning applications for both sites in April.
If approved the new facilities will replace the existing police stations in Castlegate, Huddersfield, and at Aldams Road, Dewsbury, with both sites sold once work is complete.
District Commander of Kirklees Police Ch Supt Julie Sykes said: "The announcement of this significant investment for policing in Kirklees is fantastic news."
She said it would give the force "state-of-the-art" stations based in local communities.
"Both sites were very carefully chosen after years of planning work, and we feel they offer the best locations available to us in terms of size, accessibility for residents, and also providing good access to the road network," she added.
It is estimated the new stations will become operational in 2024.
Youths who attacked buses with stones have been described as "stupid" and "mindless" by transport bosses in York.
Image source, First YorkWindows of two number 9 buses and a Coastliner vehicle were smashed in the incident on Peasholme Green in the city centre on Monday night, a spokesperson for First York said.
Nobody was injured, although police were called to the scene.
Marc Bichtemann, managing director of First York, said: “This was a very rare incident but shows the impact such stupidity can have.
“It’s mindless vandalism and is endangering our drivers and customers and disrupting the lives of local people.
“We will work closely with the police to investigate these incidents including the use of on board CCTV to help identify the individuals involved.”
BBC Radio Bradford
A £3.5m project to upgrade two landmark buildings at the University of Bradford has begun.
Image source, University of BradfordNew cladding is being installed to the Richmond and Horton buildings, as well as 480 new double-glazed windows.
Artwork installed in 1964 (pictured) on the Richmond building is being incorporated into the designs.
The initial proposals would have covered it up and received multiple objections, including from the son of artist Joseph Mayo.
The project will improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills, according to the university.
Building manager Andrew Hague said: “The total area of the new external cladding across both buildings is 4,000 sq m, including nearly 500 new windows, and will hugely improve the thermal comfort levels for building users through high levels of insulation.
"The project will also help drive down future energy costs and our reliance on gas and the grid.”
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Campaigners have lost a lengthy battle to stop a housing estate from being built on a wildlife haven in Sheffield after a planning inspector ruled in favour of developers.
Image source, Sheffield City CouncilAvant Homes was given approval to build 71 properties on Owlthorpe Fields at Moorthorpe Way, Crystal Peaks.
Owlthorpe Fields Action Group had spent 18 months fighting the development.
Councillors voted overwhelmingly to reject the scheme last year, going against their own officers’ advice as the land was earmarked for housing.
Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs, who sits on the planning board, said it was extremely disappointing.
He said: "This area is very important and valued by residents and has fantastic nature and wildlife.
“The community will be living with the impact of what is decided now for long after the developer has left town and they need to be respectful of that."
Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts said “I’ll continue to work with residents over the next few weeks to see how we can save as much of the open space and environment as possible and how we can make the best of this decision.”.
A cyclist has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash in Hunslet in Leeds this morning.
Image source, OtherThe man was involved in a collision with a white van at about 05:30 on Low Road, according to West Yorkshire Police.
He remains in hospital with serious injuries, but they are not believed to be life-threatening.
The road was closed for a short time, but has since been reopened.
The van driver stopped at the scene and has been helping police with their inquiries, officers said.
A young business entrepreneur says he has realised a childhood dream by buying the world's oldest sweet shop.
Ben Howie, 23, is now the owner of the Guinness world record-holding store in Pateley Bridge, a shop he visited regularly as a child.
The shop has been selling sweets to the people of the North Yorkshire village and surrounding area since 1827.
Growing up in nearby Knaresborough, Mr Howie said he was a regular visitor to the shop as a young boy.
Despite the dangers of taking on a new business during the coronavirus pandemic, he said he believed it would continue to be a success.
Former owner Keith Tordoff, who ran the shop for 25 years, sold the shop in order to pursue his ambition to become North Yorkshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
He said the shop's sale had attracted interest from Australia, the US and South Korea, but he felt Mr Howie was "the right person" for the job.
"There's a certain amount of sadness obviously and I've been having withdrawal symptoms as I've not been eating as many sweets," Mr Tordoff said.
The deaths of two women found at a property in Leeds were not suspicious, police said.
Image source, PA MediaThe women, aged 78 and 81, were found inside the house, on Stonegate Road at Moortown, on 28 February.
They were discovered after a neighbour raised the alarm.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "The cause of their deaths is currently unascertained pending further tests, but they are not being treated as suspicious and reports are being submitted to the Coroner’s Office."
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Councillors in Harrogate have agreed plans for a new cycle lane in the North Yorkshire town.
Image source, GoogleThe plan is to use some existing footpaths and verges for the lane on Stray land along Otley Road.
Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council are working on the project.
It was first announced in 2017, but had hit delays.
A 150-year ban on cycling on common land in Harrogate ended following long negotiations in 2011.
The borough council's cabinet agreed to using the land after a consultation received nearly 450 responses.
Almost half of the respondents backed the idea, while more than a third were against it.
Councillor Phil Ireland said: "This scheme supports our ambition to see a reduction in congestion, an improvement in air quality and a reduction in carbon emissions, while also promoting a healthy lifestyle."
Before the cycle lane can be built, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government must agree to the amended byelaws.