The idea is that you could only have to take your car in for an MOT every other year.
Annual MOT checks are being reconsidered in order to help ease the cost of living in recent government debates.
The proposed change to move to biennial MOTs could save motorists up to £55 annually, according to reports, says The Manc.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a cabinet meeting on Tuesday where he was said to have asked his team to come up with some “innovative” ideas to ease the pressure on household finances amid the rising cost of living crisis that do not require government spending, and it is understood that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps posed idea of moving from an annual vehicle check to every two years, reports The Telegraph and Sky News.
MOT checks can often cost up to £54.85, with necessary repair bills on top.
When asked about the annual cost of an MOT during the Transport Select Committee meeting at the House of Commons, Mr Shapps refused to rule out a move to two-year checks, but did say that any changes would need to meet a “very rigorous safety standard”.
He continued: “I don’t rule anything out.
The proposed change to move to biennial MOTs could save motorists up to £55 annually / Credit: Flickr
“If you look at things like MOTs, cars have clearly become a lot more reliable than when the MOT, named after the Ministry of Transport, was put in place [and while] I think it’s always right to keep these things under review, there’s a lot of road to cover before we get to that point.”
Mr Shapps added: “I’m always looking at things that can assist, but I’m certainly not in a position to make specific announcements about those things.”
Following the cabinet meeting, it is understood that not all ministers supported the idea of moving to biennial MOT checks, with Transport Select Committee member, Karl McCartney, telling Mr Shapps he thought it was “an absolutely crap idea”.
On top of that, some industry experts – most-notably including motoring body, the AA – have also issued warnings that a move to two-year checks could lead to higher repair bills for drivers who do not catch problems early enough.
MOT checks can often cost up to £54.85, with necessary repair bills on top / Credit: Jimmy Nilsson Masth (via Unsplash)
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson has confirmed that ministers talked through “a number of ideas” to ease the pressure on household finances during the cabinet meeting earlier this week.
These ideas will now “feed in to a more formal process”.
This comes after Number 10 announced that the Prime Minister will chair a committee with the aim of tackling the cost of living crisis “in the next couple of weeks”, as millions of people in Britain are facing an increase in energy bills, council tax, National Insurance, and are feeling the effects of inflation having hit a 30-year-high of 7% earlier this month.
Feature Image- Public Domain Archive
UK News
Ilkley crowned the best place to live in the north by The Sunday Times
The beautiful spa town of Ilkley has been crowned the best place to live in the north of England by The Sunday Times.
The results are in, and our very own Ilkley has taken the top spot for the north and north-east category.
The list posted but the Sunday Times every year, features 72 locations across the UK that they deem are the best spots to settle down in.
Judges visited each location to take in the atmosphere, explore the history and chat to the locals to find out what made each place so special.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not the first time the wonderful spa town of Ilkley has been praised, having been the national winner back in 2022 it's no stranger to taking home the trophy.
The judging panel said about Ilkley: “It’s not just the fresh air, fantastic scenery, excellent schools and direct trains to Leeds that make Ilkley this year’s pick of the north and northeast. It’s the get-up and go of a community that tackles every challenge with gusto.”
"It's hard to imagine anywhere with more opportunities for youngsters."
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Also getting a mention in the regional category was Horsforth, which was recommended for its transport links, brilliant local schools and thriving social scene.
The guide said: "The city is Yorkshire's economic powerhouse - but for something a bit greener, a bit more family friendly, it's hard to better Horsforth's streets of sandstone houses."
Elsewhere up north, Sheffield got a special shoutout where the judges said: "Burgeoning creative industries and judicious regeneration are igniting interest in previously overlooked postcodes ... Hipsters and happy families alike are celebrating, welcoming, embracing, loving this city-wide vibe."
So if you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city centre, then why not hop on a train and visit the best place to live up north and see for yourselves what the fuss is all about.
The Queen’s Hotel in Leeds named one of the best places to stay in the UK
Danny Jones
One Leeds' pride and joys is getting some well-deserved recognition as The Queen's Hotel has been named of the best places to stay in the UK.
Located right in the heart of the city centre, The Queen's Hotel is about as beautiful a building as they come in Leeds, with its pristine white walls and art deco design making it one of the most stunning structures we have to our name.
It's as synonymous with the cityscape as the Town Hall, Corn Exchange, Kirkstall and Kirkgate, as well as the train station for which the flagship hotel was built.
We couldn't be prouder to call it our own the only thing we'll argue on is that it should be further up the rankings.
The Sunday Times’ '100 Best Places to Stay in the UK' is compiled by a team of experienced reviewers, who narrow down hundreds of stays into the definitive guide of the best accommodation around the UK.
Hotels are judged on several factors, including design, facilities, and value for money, plus dining and service.
Speaking on the Leeds icon, specifically, the Times wrote: "Big, bold and stately, the Queens holds court over the centre of Leeds like the grande dame she was intended to be when built in 1937.
"Back then, with her art deco lines, pearly-grey stone façade, polished wood and mirrored interiors, she was the place to stay. Fast-forward several decades and an expensive buff and shine has brought her zipping into the 21st century without losing an iota of old-world glamour.
"With sleek, airy bedrooms, a sophisticated cocktail bar and sultry circular restaurant, she’s an ideal base for hitting the city’s cultural hotspots, boutique shops and great places to eat."
You can read their full review of the Grade II-listed legend HERE.
There were a fair few other successes for Yorkshire and the North as a whole this year beyond just The Queen's Hotel's achievement on its own.
The Angel at Hetton and Saltmoore in North Yorkshire picked up 'North and northeast England hotel of the year' as well as 'Best beach hotel', respectively; plus, Jöro at Oughtibridge Mill in Sheffield received plaudits among many other Northern nods.
With the Times also naming Leeds in general as one of the coolest places to live, so much for that whole 'grim up North' nonsense, eh?
The Hoot -
29th April 2022 
