Bradford’s in the news as UK towns chase a big culture prize and local costs rise amid global energy/food swings. City’s West Yorkshire roots go back to 1847, with city status in 1897.
Inverness and Stornoway are among nine towns on the UK longlist for the 2028 Town of Culture and 2029 City of Culture titles, respectively. Each will receive funding to develop their bids, with winners receiving £3m for cultural programs. The competitions aim to showcase local heritage and foster community pride.
Morrisons has announced a consultation over job cuts at its Bradford headquarters, impacting less than 10% of roles. The retailer is shifting focus to streamline operations and increase automation, including expanding its use of AI, amid challenging market conditions and ongoing sales underperformance.
The conflict in Iran has pushed up energy prices and fuel costs, with gas and oil contributing to higher household bills. The price cap review set for 1 July to 30 September 2026 is expected to show a rise, while a think tank identifies towns most vulnerable to energy-spending shocks.