Politics

Breaking

Ben Houchen has invited Donald Trump to visit the Tees Valley in a congratulatory letter, according to reports.

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Ben Houchen 'invites Donald Trump to Tees Valley' in congratulatory letter

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

THE ECHO SAYS...

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Unfairness of removing fuel allowance from all

Mary Kelly Foy, Angela Rayner and Grahame Morris

Mary Kelly Foy, Angela Rayner and Grahame Morris

Local government

7

Key figures react to Deputy PM's warning to councils moving families to North East

John Prescott campaigning in Durham in 2004 for the North East Regional Assembly

John Prescott campaigning in Durham in 2004 for the North East Regional Assembly

THE ECHO SAYS...

10

John Prescott: the authentic glue that held the New Labour coalition together

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner addresses the Local Government Association Annual Conference Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner addresses the Local Government Association Annual Conference Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

THE ECHO SAYS...

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Can Angela Rayner help stop the dumping of homeless people in County Durham?

Craig Martin, member for North Lodge ward near Chester-le-Street, sent letters to residents last week calling for donations of £10 or above to help print campaign and community leaflets.

Craig Martin, member for North Lodge ward near Chester-le-Street, sent letters to residents last week calling for donations of £10 or above to help print campaign and community leaflets.

Local government

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Councillor slammed for asking residents to donate to his re-election campaign

Wes Streeting (inset) has said he wants to meet with Samantha Morris (right) whose husband Aaron (centre) died after ambulance service failure and neglect.

Wes Streeting (inset) has said he wants to meet with Samantha Morris (right) whose husband Aaron (centre) died after ambulance service failure and neglect.

National government

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Health Secretary wants to meet with mum whose husband died after ambulance neglect

Glenn Buckingham will be joining NFU members in London at a mass lobbying event

Glenn Buckingham will be joining NFU members in London at a mass lobbying event

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The Northern Echo says: 'Government must rethink ill-conceived farming reform plans'

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has made a £1 fare pledge for young people to help them reach educational and job-seeking destinations

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has made a £1 fare pledge for young people to help them reach educational and job-seeking destinations

Child Poverty Summit

North East Mayor

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North East Mayor to make £1 fare pledge for under-21s on school and job-seeking trips

Gordon Brown launches The Junction Multibank

Gordon Brown launches The Junction Multibank

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Former PM launches North East's first Multibank in bid to help cost of living woes

Councillor Amanda Riley announced her decision to resign as portfolio holder for Stronger Communities on Monday.

Councillor Amanda Riley announced her decision to resign as portfolio holder for Stronger Communities on Monday.

Local government

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Darlington cabinet member and GP stands down after prioritising work and family life

Anxious council leaders have urged the government to deliver the pledged £73 million transport funding for County Durham after months of delays.

Anxious council leaders have urged the government to deliver the pledged £73 million transport funding for County Durham after months of delays.

Local government

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Labour urged to deliver £73m County Durham transport funding amid uncertainty

Former Darlington MP Alan Milburn

Former Darlington MP Alan Milburn

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Ex-Darlington MP bags top health ministry role and talks 'big reforms' at NHS

Millburngate Bridge running through Durham City

Millburngate Bridge running through Durham City

THE ECHO SAYS...

3

A fair slice of the transport cake for Durham, or was levelling up just a sham?

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves

1

What will the long term cost of the Budget be?

Keir Starmer has sent a message to Donald Trump who has declared victory in this presidential election

Keir Starmer has sent a message to Donald Trump who has declared victory in this presidential election

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Keir Starmer 'looking forward to working with' Donald Trump after 'historic' win

The Thirsk and Malton MP has been appointed to the Shadow Cabinet.

The Thirsk and Malton MP has been appointed to the Shadow Cabinet.

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Kevin Hollinrake MP given role in Kemi Badenoch's first Shadow Cabinet

Ex Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp

Ex Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp

Local government

2

Newcastle Labour exodus as ex-council and five others quit

Mary Kelly Foy and Parliament

Mary Kelly Foy and Parliament

5

Report shows "vast inequalities" faced by North East women debated in Parliament

The winner of the Conservative Party Leader has been confirmed as Kemi Badenoch seeing Robert Jenrick lose polls.

The winner of the Conservative Party Leader has been confirmed as Kemi Badenoch seeing Robert Jenrick lose polls.

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Kemi Badenoch to become new Conservative Party leader as Rishi Sunak steps down

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves leaves 11 Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves leaves 11 Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box

AUTUMN BUDGET 2024

National government

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Budget analysis: We have to be proud enough to want more for the North East

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Labour Mayor hails Budget 'biggest transfer of powers' in a generation

Hopes of Rachel Reeves announcing a deal to help secure the future of Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe went unanswered in the Budget on Wednesday.

Hopes of Rachel Reeves announcing a deal to help secure the future of Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe went unanswered in the Budget on Wednesday.

KEEP HITACHI ON TRACK

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Hopes of deal to help secure future of Hitachi being revealed in Budget go unanswered

County Hall, Durham.

County Hall, Durham.

Local government

5

County Durham urged to 'put politics aside' and work to reduce child poverty

Rachel Reeves promised to set aside billions for victims of both scandals but Dave Farry remains unconvinced

Rachel Reeves promised to set aside billions for victims of both scandals but Dave Farry remains unconvinced

National government

1

Multi-billion pound budget 'not enough' for blood and Horizon scandal victims

File photo of taffic at a standstill on the A1 northbound between Morpeth and Alnwick in Northumberland.

File photo of taffic at a standstill on the A1 northbound between Morpeth and Alnwick in Northumberland.

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Labour scraps plans to dual stretch of A1 with MP 'disappointed and frustrated'

Rishi Sunak has called on the Prime Minister for the coast-to-coast route in Yorkshire to become a National Trail in what was his last PMQ's

Rishi Sunak has called on the Prime Minister for the coast-to-coast route in Yorkshire to become a National Trail in what was his last PMQ's

Rishi Sunak MP calls to make walking route a national trail in his final PMQ's

Rachel Reeves outside Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box

Rachel Reeves outside Downing Street, London, with her ministerial red box

Autumn Budget 2024

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Autumn Budget 2024: The victories and questions left hanging for the North East

Darlington business owners react to the budget.

Darlington business owners react to the budget.

AUTUMN BUDGET 2024

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'Another nail in the coffin': Darlington business owners react to budget

North East political figures have reacted to the Autumn Budget

North East political figures have reacted to the Autumn Budget

Autumn Budget 2024

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'Historic day' vs 'broken promises': North East MPs react to Autumn Budget

Carer’s Allowance changes could benefit 1.4 million carers

Carer’s Allowance changes could benefit 1.4 million carers

Budget 2024: Carer's Allowance changes could benefit 1.4 million carers

Stamp Duty changes for second homes will come into force tomorrow, following Rachel Reeves' announcement in the autumn budget.

Stamp Duty changes for second homes will come into force tomorrow, following Rachel Reeves' announcement in the autumn budget.

Stamp duty changes as second home rate increased and relief scheme to end

Businesses have expressed concerns about the National Minimum Wage and employer National Insurance contribution increases

Businesses have expressed concerns about the National Minimum Wage and employer National Insurance contribution increases

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Businesses considering lay-offs in response to National Minimum Wage hike

In the first Labour Budget since 2010 – and the first ever delivered by a woman – Ms Reeves promised to “invest, invest, invest”

In the first Labour Budget since 2010 – and the first ever delivered by a woman – Ms Reeves promised to “invest, invest, invest”

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Budget highlights from pensions and fuel duty to inheritance and price of a pint

Employers’ national insurance contributions will rise to 15%

Employers’ national insurance contributions will rise to 15%

Employer National Insurance contribution to rise to 15 per cent

Rachel Reeves has promised an extra £470 for pensioners next year, as she maintained the Government’s commitment to the pension triple lock

Rachel Reeves has promised an extra £470 for pensioners next year, as she maintained the Government’s commitment to the pension triple lock

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'Underwhelming' and 'not enough': Pension expert hits out at changes in Budget

Fuel Duty was cut by 5p by then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak in 2023

Fuel Duty was cut by 5p by then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak in 2023

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms Fuel Duty won't rise next year

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she will crack down on fraud in the UK’s welfare system, as part of reforms to ensure welfare spending is “more sustainable”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she will crack down on fraud in the UK’s welfare system, as part of reforms to ensure welfare spending is “more sustainable”

2

DWP to get direct access to bank accounts under new powers, Chancellor reveals

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will pledge to put “more pounds in people’s pockets” in her first Budget today

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will pledge to put “more pounds in people’s pockets” in her first Budget today

Chancellor to promise 'more pounds in people's pockets' in Budget statement

Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist resigned as chair of Age UK Gateshead on Tuesday evening after coming under pressure over her position on winter fuel payments.

Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist resigned as chair of Age UK Gateshead on Tuesday evening after coming under pressure over her position on winter fuel payments.

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County Durham MP resigns as chair of Age UK Gateshead ahead of winter fuel cut

Liz Twist MP is currently the chair of Age UK Gateshead, but some of her constituents want her to step down after voting to cut winter fuel payments.

Liz Twist MP is currently the chair of Age UK Gateshead, but some of her constituents want her to step down after voting to cut winter fuel payments.

Autumn Budget 2024

Winter Fuel Payment

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Calls for County Durham MP to resign from Age UK board after winter fuel vote

Changes are expected to National Insurance, Universal Credit, National Minimum Wage, Carers' Allowance, Child Benefit and Free Childcare Hours among others

Changes are expected to National Insurance, Universal Credit, National Minimum Wage, Carers' Allowance, Child Benefit and Free Childcare Hours among others

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Budget 2024: What to expect from 'painful' budget

The political makeup of Darlington Borough Council has shifted

The political makeup of Darlington Borough Council has shifted

Local government

9

Darlington Green councillor leaves party to become Independent

The National Minimum Wage is set to increase to £12.21 an hour under new proposals in the autumn budget

The National Minimum Wage is set to increase to £12.21 an hour under new proposals in the autumn budget

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National Minimum Wage set to increase by 6.7 per cent in autumn budget

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her budget on October 30

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her budget on October 30

When is the 2024 Autumn Budget? How to watch and what to expect

North East NHS trusts to receive new funding to battle waiting lists

North East NHS trusts to receive new funding to battle waiting lists

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North East NHS trusts to receive new funding as thousands wait for appointments

Capital gains tax is one of the areas expected to change in this week's autumn budget announcement

Capital gains tax is one of the areas expected to change in this week's autumn budget announcement

5

What is capital gains tax, and who has to pay it?

Households could be hundreds of pounds better off after changes announced to Universal Credit rules in the autumn budget

Households could be hundreds of pounds better off after changes announced to Universal Credit rules in the autumn budget

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Universal Credit claimants could get £420 boost in autumn budget

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to warn of “unprecedented” economic challenges in a speech on Monday

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to warn of “unprecedented” economic challenges in a speech on Monday

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Budget will be 'most honest' in years, cabinet minister claims

Workers' income tax and national insurance won't change in Budget, minister says

Workers' income tax and national insurance won't change in Budget, minister says

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Workers' income tax and national insurance 'won't change' in Budget, minister says

Should disposable vapes be banned?

Should disposable vapes be banned?

Disposable vapes

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Readers of The Northern Echo have their say on disposable vape ban

Mike Amesbury has had the Labour whip suspended pending an investigation into footage that appeared to show him punching a man to the ground

Mike Amesbury has had the Labour whip suspended pending an investigation into footage that appeared to show him punching a man to the ground

Labour MP Mike Amesbury has whip suspended pending investigation into CCTV footage

Councillors clashed in a heated debate over the impact the two-child benefit cap is having on families in County Durham.

Councillors clashed in a heated debate over the impact the two-child benefit cap is having on families in County Durham.

Local government

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Durham councillors clash in fierce debate over scrapping two-child benefit cap

Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy

Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy

OPINION: MARY KELLY FOY

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Workers' rights: Labour delivers more in 100 days than the Tories did in 14 years