Category: Politics

He said: “Labour MPs are absolutely vested in this. It matters to them to get things like this right, and we didn’t get that process right. We didn’t engage in the way that we should have done.” But he insisted his Government would “come through it stronger” as he vowed to “reflect” on what needed…

Voters in the Easington and Shotton ward will return to the polls on August 7 after the resignation of Reform UK councillor John Bailey.  Reform UK won all three of the available seats within the East Durham ward during May’s ballot as it swept to power across the region to take control of Durham County…

Sir Keir Starmer suffered a huge blow on Tuesday (July 1) after 49 Labour MPs voted against the controversial bill’s second reading.  It managed to fend off an amendment from York MP Rachael Maskell designed to halt the legislation, but the bill only passed after a last-minute announcement saw plans to restrict eligibility for personal independence payment…

A total of 44 Labour MPs, including two tellers, supported Rachael Maskell’s reasoned amendment, which proposed to scrap the Government’s plans to overhaul the system. However, a Government defeat was averted, after disability minister Sir Stephen Timms offered a further concession during the Commons debate. Sir Stephen said the Government had listened to the concerns…

Ian Shipley has asked for planning permission to build a house on Bridge Street, Yarm including a double garage to the side and an outbuilding at the back with a gym and office. An existing bungalow and outbuildings will be demolished to make way for the new five-bedroom home – a piece of “truly wonderful…

Stockton Council had aimed to start the demolition of the seven-storey eyesore by the end of this month. However, it has now been revealed that because of technical requirements, “additional funding will be needed to start the works”, with a demolition contract now expected to be finalised in July and work to start in August….

The Durham Miners Association has shared that Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK will be in attendance at the event and will speak on the platform at Durham racecourse. Dr Zomlot has been the ambassador for the Middle East country since 2018 and previously served as the nation’s ambassador to the United States…

Sir Keir Starmer was last week locked in crisis talks over the controversial reforms after 130 MPs signed an amendment that would stop the legislation from being passed.  The original proposal restricted eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limited the sickness-related element of universal credit. Eight North…

However, there have always been legal limits to what is permissible and the right of freedom of speech has always had to be balanced against the constraints that the state feels are needed to protect every citizen and maintain order. There were moments when it felt as though those limits were exceeded at this weekend’s…

Independent Councillor Joan McTigue shared her views during the first meeting of the newly formed Children’s Scrutiny Panel. During the meeting, Caroline Cannon, Interim Director for Education and Partnerships at Middlesbrough Council, confirmed that it was the council’s preference for kids to be in mainstream education. Ms Cannon outlined different service areas, such as attendance…