A REGENERATION programme aimed at creating thousands of jobs will be officially launched today – but the ceremony has sparked a political row.

Prime Minister Theresa May is due to visit the region today to unveil the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC).

The scheme is focused on redeveloping a 4,500-acre stretch of land on the south bank of the River Tees, including the former SSI UK steelworks in Redcar, which officials say has the potential to deliver at least 20,000 jobs.

The Northern Echo: Anna Turley, MP for Redcar making a Save Our Steel speech at the Labour Party conference this week in Brighton. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire.

SNUB: Redcar MP Anna Turley

However, Redcar MP Anna Turley, who campaigned to keep that steel site open, has launched a broadside at the Government, citing Mrs May’s visit as a “snub to the people she represents” through a breach of political protocol.

Ms Turley added she has been left “disappointed” not to have been informed about the Prime Minister’s trip to her constituency, revealing she will raise the issue in the Commons.

The upset also comes just days after a job advert, for a £58,000 London-based role to work alongside the Tees Valley mayor, was pilloried for suggesting the successful candidate would only have to make “occasional trips” to the region.

The Government says hundreds of businesses will benefit from the major regeneration programme outlined by the STDC, which is the first mayoral development corporation outside of London.

Mrs May said: “We want to make sure every part of the UK meets its potential and the regeneration of this area is a crucial step forward in stimulating economic growth across Teesside.

“Not only does the new corporation signal the Government’s ongoing commitment to the area, it also shows how putting power in the hands of local people - who know their areas best - can drive forward local growth.

“We’ve handed over historic new powers to regenerate the site to Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, and coupled with £450m investment that we’ve committed to the Tees Valley Combined Authority over the next 30 years, this is a key opportunity for local leaders to shape the future of their community.”

A full plan detailing the corporation’s aims is expected to be launched in the autumn.

However, Ms Turley said the occasion smacks of the Government “playing politics” after being left out of proceedings.

She added: “I would have expected the Prime Minister to have risen above the petty politics of her local mayor and worked with all stakeholders.

“As a member of the SSI Taskforce, and having worked constructively with the Shadow Development Corporation as it has been developing these proposals, I am very disappointed at this snub to the people I represent.

“It seems the Tories are more interested in playing national politics on Teesside than working with local people to secure the future of our jobs and livelihoods.”