Where Barnsley stands at the end of the day
It was a huge day for Labour in the Metrodome, gaining 16 seats to take a council majority of 48 seats to 15. Its majority council was declared well before most of the election results had been announced in Barnsley.
A horrendous day for the Conservatives saw them lose one of its only seats on the council. Cllr Robert Barnard, Penistone East, remains as the only Tory councillor.
The Liberal Democrats increased its total number of councillors by one, with four seats total taken on the day.
Despite some traction nationally, Reform UK failed to gain a seat.
More reaction to follow.
“Why can I not stay?”: Middle Eastern student’s future at risk if visa scheme is scrapped
A student may be forced to return to his "dangerous" home country where he fears for his safety because of his sexuality.
Jonas, an undergraduate student at the University of Sheffield since 2021, wished to use a pseudonym because of worries that he would be unsafe in his home country in the Middle East.
He told Sheffield Wire he came to England in order to be able to express himself and explore his queer identity during his studies.
He explained: “Being a queer person in the Middle East is still a struggle, and can even become dangerous."
Jonas moved to England three years ago thinking he was going to be able to do his degree, then find a job and potentially build a life with a family.
But last month Home Secretary James Cleverly asked for a review of the Graduate Visa, a post-study work visa that allows graduates to work for up to three years after finishing a course, which may lead to its abolishment.
The death penalty is still in place for sodomy in his country, and same-sex marriages are not recognized. There, Jonas feels he would not be able to grow and plan his future.
He said: “I had a whole five-year plan, but it seems to be falling apart now. I don’t know what I’ll do if I am not staying here in the UK.”
After hearing about the “rapid review” of the Graduate Visa he said he feels helpless and expressed concerns about the support he will receive.
He said: “I don't want to experience the homophobia that I experienced in the past. I want to express myself more. I haven't explored myself enough. I want to be myself, be a free bird. Like I am right here, not back at home.”
Jonas now has to finish his degree without knowing what his future will be.
He said: “I don’t understand, I paid a lot of money to come here, between the visa fees, the tuition fees, my accommodation, and my regular expenses to live. I participate in the economy and do not get any money from the government. Why can I not stay?”
The Greens hold Sheffield’s Nether Edge and Sharrow
Maroof Raouf holds the Green Party seat for Nether Edge and Sharrow with 2662 votes.
Penistone East – Labour gain
John Roberts has taken the seat for Penistone East for Labour, which originally was a strong hold for the Conservative Party. The seat had been held by the Conservative Party since 2006.
Final ward to be announced in Barnsley
After a long day of counting and celebrating, Oldtown ward is the last announcement of the day.
More to follow.
North East – Labour gain
Dorothy Coates has been elected for Labour in the North East ward, Barnsley, a seat which was originally vacant.
Hunt remains Sheffield City Council leader
BREAKING: Tom Hunt has retained his seat and will remain leader of Sheffield City Council.
The leader of the council will remain the same until 15 May when a new leader will be announced pending negotiations.
The Mayoral race heats up
The excitement of Ben Houchen's mayoral success in Tees Valley is wearing off, as the Conservative Party has been losing councillor seats all day. Labour's David Skaith has managed to win the mayoral race for York and North Yorkshire.
Ecclesall goes Green
The Greens have taken Sheffield's Ecclesall from the Lib Dems with 3147 votes for candidate Peter Gilbert.
How work experience is helping autistic students overcome employment barriers
Autistic people are being helped into the world of work thanks to a North Yorkshire college's efforts to provide experience with employers.
According to a government report, autistic people are less likely to have easy access to work experience and this can have a knock-on effect on employment prospects.
The Buckland Review of Autism Employment found that from a young age, autistic people are less likely than their peers to have the time, connections or support to find work-related experiences and career advisors are often poorly equipped to support them.
Evolve College, an inclusive post-16 college in Ripon, is trying to change this. It is headed by Bev Skaife with the support of a team of progress coaches, teachers, and support staff.
Hannah Rushforth, Evolve industry placement officer, matches students interests and skills to different employers who offer them work experience.
She said: “The Evolve work experience is designed for students to gain industry-based skills & experiences and increase their chances of employment after college.
“During students’ first few weeks at college, we work with the students to identify potential career choices and future aspirations, after which we work on matching each individual student to a work placement provider.
“This is a truly bespoke offering, where we source new work placement providers based on students’ aspirations and skill building requirements rather than having a list of employers and slotting students in.”
Each student is supported with interview preparation, and they are taken to visit their placements before starting. They also offer some students walking support to their placements to help build independence skills, with a goal of eventually being able walk to placement themselves.
Ms Skaife said: “For some students, going into placement is a nerve-wracking experience for many different reasons, some that other simply take for granted. Simply getting a foot in the door for some students can be their target.
“By giving students the opportunity to experience work and skills in employability, they are hopefully in a better position to be able to overcome barriers faced with gaining employment in the future, and can show prospective employers how capable they are.”
One student, Glen Griffiths, is in his second year of work experience at Ripon Workhouse Museum. He goes there two days a week and his jobs include providing guided tours, gardening, and admin work.
His worth ethic has been commented on by members of the local community through positive TripAdvisor reviews.
One user said: ‘’We were greeted by a wonderful young man called Glen. He was welcoming and incredibly friendly and informative, he gave us a detailed explanation of the museum and what to expect with very interesting historical information, for this reason we will definitely be back. Thank you Glen, you made our day!’
Despite saying that he had great friends at his placement, Glen admitted sometimes feeling talked down to because of his neurodiversity.
He said: “There are some people who, maybe because they know I am autistic, they seem to treat me a lot more special-like. They speak to me in high tones instead of talking to me just casually, even though I just want to be treated like a normal human being.”
Another student who has benefitted from Evolve’s work placement programme is Niamh Shaw.
Alongside working a part time job on a weekend and during college holidays, she does two days of work placement on the activities team of a dementia unit of Lister House, a local care home.
She said: “The best thing about my work experience is the residents because I get to interact with them and make them happy.”
The National Autistic Society provides a range of resources and autism-friendly guides to help businesses understand the needs of autistic employees.
To sign the campaign for all businesses to have autism awareness training, click here.
Independent candidate takes Sheffield’s Darnall from Labour
Pro-Palestine candidate Qais Al-Ahdal has taken Darnall from Labour with 2402 votes. Labour candidate Sajid Ghafur trailed miles behind with 1223.