Category: Politics

Ms Reeves certainly gave the impression that there was a massive “black hole” that only a 2p rise in income tax would fill. But, sensing opposition from her own backbenchers, she quickly reverse ferreted on the income tax rise and then, on budget day itself, backed down on the black hole which mysteriously disappeared. Ms…

Hexham MP Joe Morris wants a legal register of such plants to prevent another attack on landmark sites. It follows the illegal felling of Sycamore Gap in 2023, which Mr Morris said “felt like an attack”. He suggested that Sherwood Forest’s Major Oak, where Robin Hood and his Merry Men are said to have sheltered,…

It is a time for family and I remember my grandfathers, proud miners, and my grandmothers, who worked long hours to support them and their family. Like so many working class people in our region, I grew up in a colliery village, steeped in the history, traditions and values of hard work, pride and respect….

Rachel Reeves’ second budget was not delivered for growth, but very much for her backbenchers. Those pesky troublesome backbenchers who defied the whips over the removal of the two child benefit cap got their way. Just as the government u-turned on the winter fuel allowance for pensioners, it is clear there is no plan, despite…

The Transporter Bridge has arguably been the most recognisable landmark of the region since it opened in 1911, connecting both sides of the River Tees. But the beloved structure has been closed since 2019 due to safety concerns, sparking fears it may never carry cars from Middlesbrough to Port Clarence again.  For many people, their…

The MP blamed “a dentistry desert”. In his reply, the PM, Keir Starmer, agreed with her, congratulating her on her efforts in gaining extra funding and going onto criticise the last Conservative government for lack of funding. Putting aside the politics, his reply was a little disappointing, but not surprising, that he failed to state…

A dramatic cap on salary sacrifice pension benefits are expected in the forthcoming Budget, which some have dubbed a ‘stealth tax rise in Employer National Insurance’. This could potentially see the allowance slashed to just £2,000 a year. If the government really cares about getting rid of tax distortions in the pension system and raising…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will take to the House of Commons at 12.30pm on Wednesday (November 26) to deliver the Autumn Budget. Setting out the state of the country’s finances, the state of the economy, as well as taxes and plans for public spending, Reeves is widely expected to pull the lever on tax hikes in…

It currently raises around £7bn a year for the government, and in the last few years figures show that the tax is paid by between 5-7% of estates. But it’s often in the headlines as any more people than this believe their family will have to pay the tax after their death. A poll for…

Every autumn the chancellor sets a budget that includes how much pensions and benefits will be the following tax year, which starts on April 6 2026. For those payments that are for people over State Pension Age and receive New State Pension, Basic State Pension or Pension Credit, they should see an increase tied to…