Columnists: Ben Houchen

WINNER: Ben Houchen at the count today in Stockton.

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Ben Houchen wins third term as Tees Valley Mayor beating opposition Chris McEwan

Steve Gibson and Ben Houchen

Steve Gibson and Ben Houchen

12

Well said, Mr Gibson

Steve Gibson and Ben Houchen

Steve Gibson and Ben Houchen

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Steve Gibson accuses Ben Houchen of 'giving away children's future' in Teesworks deal

Labour has urged Ben Houchen to turn down any Tory party money that came from Frank Hester ahead of May’s mayoral elections.

Labour has urged Ben Houchen to turn down any Tory party money that came from Frank Hester ahead of May’s mayoral elections.

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Labour calling on Ben Houchen to reject party money from Tory donor in race row

Darlington's Dolphin Centre, Inset: Mayor Ben Houchen.

Darlington's Dolphin Centre, Inset: Mayor Ben Houchen.

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Mayor pledges to make swimming free for all kids under 11 in reelection campaign

The programme includes a £20m tram system in town centres and road and rail developments

The programme includes a £20m tram system in town centres and road and rail developments

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'None of this nonsense will happen': Mixed reaction to £1bn TVCA transport plans

Ben Houchen speaking in Middlesbrough on Monday (January 15) morning.

Ben Houchen speaking in Middlesbrough on Monday (January 15) morning.

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'Trams' could run in five town centres within two years, Ben Houchen claims

19

Plans for £150m rail and bus transport hub to connect region to Teesside Park

Teesside International Airport

Teesside International Airport

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Teesside International Airport loses £2.3m but is still well ahead of target

The 112-year-old Grade II listed Tees Transporter Bridge has been closed since 2019 after a string of safety concerns and problems with its structure

The 112-year-old Grade II listed Tees Transporter Bridge has been closed since 2019 after a string of safety concerns and problems with its structure

4

Mayoral candidates BOTH pledge to save 'vital' Teesside landmark

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.

9

Viva Las Teesside? Mayor puts North East forward for location of new sphere venue

Councillor Bob Cook, leader of Stockton Council (left) and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen (right). Picture: Stockton Council/Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Councillor Bob Cook, leader of Stockton Council (left) and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen (right). Picture: Stockton Council/Tees Valley Combined Authority.

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Fears TVCA could burn through £100m in reserves in four years

Land on the Teesworks site that will soon hold the NZT carbon capture power station.

Land on the Teesworks site that will soon hold the NZT carbon capture power station.

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First look at future site of £1.5bn Teesside carbon capture power station

From left, Ben Houchen, Martin Corney and Matt Johnson of Teesworks and Andy Lane of bp, Hydrogen and CCUS UK.

From left, Ben Houchen, Martin Corney and Matt Johnson of Teesworks and Andy Lane of bp, Hydrogen and CCUS UK.

5

£1.5bn world-leading Teesside clean energy power station breaks ground

The Times said the sum was spent with London-based media law firm Carter Ruck, which specialises in defamation cases

The Times said the sum was spent with London-based media law firm Carter Ruck, which specialises in defamation cases

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Tees Valley authority spent £7,000 on libel lawyers over Teesworks corruption claims

Redcar and Cleveland Council wrote to Mr Ben Houchen and the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TCVA) asking for funds to keep two hours of free parking in eight local car parks

Redcar and Cleveland Council wrote to Mr Ben Houchen and the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TCVA) asking for funds to keep two hours of free parking in eight local car parks

8

Mayor's response to free parking request branded "rude" and "childish"

The investigation by a three-person panel appointed by Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove into the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) was raised at a corporation board meeting at Teesside International Airport on Friday (July 21).

The investigation by a three-person panel appointed by Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove into the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) was raised at a corporation board meeting at Teesside International Airport on Friday (July 21).

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Tees Valley Mayor sends thousands of pages of evidence to Teesworks investigation

The vision for Middlesbrough's town centre.

The vision for Middlesbrough's town centre.

3

A 'bright new vision': Masterplan to rejuvenate North East town approved

Tory Ben Houchen was under fire from councillors on the Tees Valley Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee after a row broke out. The mayor was responding to Labour’s Cllr Steve Nelson, who sits on Stockton Council

Tory Ben Houchen was under fire from councillors on the Tees Valley Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee after a row broke out. The mayor was responding to Labour’s Cllr Steve Nelson, who sits on Stockton Council

18

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen pulled up for 'silly buggers' councillor comment

The progress of Teesworks under Ben Houchen is held up as a key signal of levelling up

The progress of Teesworks under Ben Houchen is held up as a key signal of levelling up

15

Work on investigation into Teesworks expected to 'kick off in earnest' soon

South Bank Quay at Teesworks

South Bank Quay at Teesworks

3

Workers carry out 19-hour weekend operation in next stage of quay construction

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Michael Gove confirms Teesworks investigation after 'serious allegations'

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen during the ground breaking ceremony for the new SeAH Wind Ltd's offshore wind facility at Teessport. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen during the ground breaking ceremony for the new SeAH Wind Ltd's offshore wind facility at Teessport. Photograph: Stuart Boulton/The Northern Echo.

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Mayor seeks to ease concerns after 'false' claims Teesworks site sold for £100

Darlington Labour group leader Stephen Harker (left) has said he 'absolutely does not want to

Darlington Labour group leader Stephen Harker (left) has said he 'absolutely does not want to

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Darlington Labour deny 'defunding' Teesside Airport claims despite calling for change

Joined by Mayor Ben Houchen and Redcar MP Jacob Young, Mr Hunt toured the campus and that received over £2 million pounds from the Government’s Town Fund programme last year

Joined by Mayor Ben Houchen and Redcar MP Jacob Young, Mr Hunt toured the campus and that received over £2 million pounds from the Government’s Town Fund programme last year

16

Teesside named new national centre for clean energy in visit by Jeremy Hunt

A computer-generated image of what the Wynyard proposals might look like

A computer-generated image of what the Wynyard proposals might look like

8

Fierce opposition to 'ridiculous' new housing estate that could see 700 homes built

Mayor Ben Houchen has reportedly ignored calls to extend the scheme that began in 2021.

Mayor Ben Houchen has reportedly ignored calls to extend the scheme that began in 2021.

7

The North East councils that have ended free parking schemes in town centres

North East mayor tweets Ant and Dec after Saturday Night Takeaway question confusion

North East mayor tweets Ant and Dec after Saturday Night Takeaway question confusion

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North East mayor tweets Ant and Dec after Saturday Night Takeaway question confusion

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen's office repeatedly refused to respond to The Echo's requests for comment on the number of tenants who had completed paperwork at the Teesworks site.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen's office repeatedly refused to respond to The Echo's requests for comment on the number of tenants who had completed paperwork at the Teesworks site.

11

North East politicians Houchen and Cunningham clash over freeport comments

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the Hartlepool Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) will help transform the town.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the Hartlepool Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) will help transform the town.

Council approves next step in setting up development corporation

The Tees Valley Mayor has called on a North East council to reconsider its plans to introduce car parking charges to a popular Teesside park.

The Tees Valley Mayor has called on a North East council to reconsider its plans to introduce car parking charges to a popular Teesside park.

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Mayor says council's Preston Park car parking charge scheme 'beggars belief'

The cause of mass crab deaths on the North East coast may never be known.

The cause of mass crab deaths on the North East coast may never be known.

7

Government refuses more research or support to fishers after Tees crustacean deaths

Councillor suspicious of ‘too cosy’ development corporation boards

Councillor suspicious of ‘too cosy’ development corporation boards

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Councillor suspicious of ‘too cosy’ development corporation boards

Material dredged by Athena from the Tees will be disposed of at sea, but campaigners are arguing that it may cause further harm to sea life in the North Sea.

Material dredged by Athena from the Tees will be disposed of at sea, but campaigners are arguing that it may cause further harm to sea life in the North Sea.

Tees freeport begins new dredging phase with material to be dumped at sea

The cause of mass crab deaths on the north east coast may never be known, an environment minister has claimed amid calls for further investigation.

The cause of mass crab deaths on the north east coast may never be known, an environment minister has claimed amid calls for further investigation.

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'We may never know what caused mass crab deaths' admits Government minister

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has announced new development corporations will be set up to regenerate Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has announced new development corporations will be set up to regenerate Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

5

New North East development corporations announced will harness 'spirit of Thatcher'

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen (Top Left) has backed calls for financial support for fishermen struggling to survive after mass crustacean deaths off the Teesside coast by writing to Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey (Bottom Left).

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen (Top Left) has backed calls for financial support for fishermen struggling to survive after mass crustacean deaths off the Teesside coast by writing to Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey (Bottom Left).

14

Ben Houchen backs calls to support fishermen affected by crab-death crisis

Billingham has failed to win Levelling Up funding for the second time.

Billingham has failed to win Levelling Up funding for the second time.

9

'It stinks' - Local MP slams Levelling Up funding process

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen.

4

Teesside wins £15m levelling up boost to revitalise town centre street

A row has erupted between Teesside politicians leading to an official complaint being made in the House of Commons by Simon Clarke MP and Jacob Young MP against Alex Cunningham MP.

A row has erupted between Teesside politicians leading to an official complaint being made in the House of Commons by Simon Clarke MP and Jacob Young MP against Alex Cunningham MP.

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North East politicians row as official complaint is made in Parliament

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham has called for an inquiry after the transfer of ownership in shares of the Teesworks site from public ownership to private businesses.

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham has called for an inquiry after the transfer of ownership in shares of the Teesworks site from public ownership to private businesses.

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Tees freeport: Call for transparency on Teesworks site ownership

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen

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Tees Valley Mayor responds to rumours he has been given a peerage by Boris Johnson

North East MPs' react after Rishi Sunak becomes Prime Minister. From left, Peter Gibson, Ben Houchen and Dehenna Davison

North East MPs' react after Rishi Sunak becomes Prime Minister. From left, Peter Gibson, Ben Houchen and Dehenna Davison

6

Full list of North East MPs respond as Rishi Sunak becomes Prime Minister

Boris Johnson, centre, flanked by senior North East Tories Simon Clarke and Ben Houchen, who have today backed him to become the next Prime Minister.

Boris Johnson, centre, flanked by senior North East Tories Simon Clarke and Ben Houchen, who have today backed him to become the next Prime Minister.

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Ben Houchen and another Tory MP want Boris Johnson to return as Prime Minister

Questions over how the international airport would manage to function moving into the future have been raised over recent months after establishing itself as a vital transport link to holidaymakers in large parts of Teesside.

Questions over how the international airport would manage to function moving into the future have been raised over recent months after establishing itself as a vital transport link to holidaymakers in large parts of Teesside.

30

Councillors agree to give Teesside Airport another £20m

Billingham town centre would benefit from a business rates cut, locals say, if Tees mayor Ben Houchen (inset) is given the power to do so

Billingham town centre would benefit from a business rates cut, locals say, if Tees mayor Ben Houchen (inset) is given the power to do so

12

Mayor calls for leaders to be given powers to 'slash' business rates

Revealed: See new plans for Teesside Airport business park

Revealed: See new plans for Teesside Airport business park

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Revealed: How new £200m Teesside Airport business will look - and create 4,400 jobs

Middlesbrough MP fumes after Tees mayor Ben Houchen blocks him on Twitter

Middlesbrough MP fumes after Tees mayor Ben Houchen blocks him on Twitter

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Middlesbrough MP fumes after Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen blocks him on Twitter

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen (left) and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture: DOUG MOODY

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen (left) and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Picture: DOUG MOODY

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Ben Houchen warns Tories will lose election if MPs don't back Boris Johnson

The first direct Middlesbrough to London train service was launched this morning. Photo: LNER.

The first direct Middlesbrough to London train service was launched this morning. Photo: LNER.

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WATCH: The first direct train from Middlesbrough to London makes its maiden journey

Mayor Ben Houchen stands by HS2 opinion despite local jobs and £2bn boost

Mayor Ben Houchen stands by HS2 opinion despite local jobs and £2bn boost

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Ben Houchen stands by HS2 claims despite new trains being built in Aycliffe

Ben Houchen: The last four years of progress have been huge - let’s not go back to square one

Ben Houchen: The last four years of progress have been huge - let’s not go back to square one

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Ben Houchen: The last four years of progress have been huge - let’s not go back to square one

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen

2

Ryanair represents a huge vote of confidence in Teesside

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen

Mayor's message: Please keep on keeping on

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