Category: Politics

Development work on the Leamside Line, which runs from Pelaw in Gateshead to Tursdale in County Durham, is set to progress as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) initiative.  As well as allowing for new train services through Ferryhill, Sincliffe, Belmont, West Rainton and Penshaw, the route could also provide an alternative path for…

Sarah Jayan, 16, a student at Ripon Grammar School, is standing as a candidate for the West area of North Yorkshire. Sarah said: “It was inspiring to see how people our age stood up for themselves, united in the same belief, and made me realise the significant lack of youth voices in this country.” Voting…

There is plenty to look back on positively, and lots achieved that I am proud of. There was the announcement at the budget that the two-child benefit cap is to be lifted next year. This alone will lift nearly 500,000 children out of poverty. As I said at the time, if this Labour Government should…

2026 is the year Britain turns a corner. And in North Durham and across the North East, we’re going to do it together. When North Durham residents put their trust in me by electing me as their local MP at the General Election, I promised to help deliver the change our country had been crying…

Stacey Hunter, chief executive of the University Hospitals Tees (UHT) group, which covers both North and South Tees NHS Foundation Trusts, said they had to work in a different way to live within their means as the government expects. She said: “We do know because of the level of savings required, which is well publicised…

The Labour and Liberal Democrat administration in charge of Darlington Borough Council has come under fire from rival politicians after plans to increase council tax by around 5% were revealed.  Council leaders said the proposed council tax increase of 2.99%, plus a social care precept of 2% will help fund rising demands in adult and…

The proposal by Darlington Borough Council means residents face paying higher bills to fund rising demands in adult and children’s social care, a committe meeting heard on Monday (January 5). The proposed rise will raise an additional £3 million.  However, Town Hall officials have warned that the council’s financial planning remains in a “fragile position”,…

The proposal by Darlington Borough Council means residents face paying higher bills to fund rising demands in adult and children’s social care, a committe meeting heard on Monday (January 5). The proposed rise will raise an additional £3 million.  However, Town Hall officials have warned that the council’s financial planning remains in a “fragile position”,…

Voters in the Murton ward will return to the polls later this year after David Cumming stepped down before Christmas.  It will be the third by-election in County Durham since last year’s full council vote, following the resignation of two former Reform councillors due to an employment conflict and ill-health.  Reform won the two available…

Disclaimed opinion after disclaimed opinion from numerous auditors has meant that those assessing TVCA’s books have been unable to offer a complete, rounded view on financial matters, with the government “backstops” given as a reason, along with blame being levelled at the combined authority more recently. The latest developments, coming at the end of 2025,…