The Northern Echo | Ben Houchen https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/columnists/benhouchen/ The Northern Echo Ben Houchen en-gb Sat, 14 Nov 2026 01:14:48 +0000 Sat, 14 Nov 2026 01:14:48 +0000 https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/rss/terms/ M6 toby.granville@newsquest.co.uk (Toby Granville) webmaster@digitalmedia.newsquest.co.uk (Tim Joy) https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/resources/images/sitelogo/ The Northern Echo | Ben Houchen https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/columnists/benhouchen/ Ben Houchen could get £17,200 pay rise as leaders prepare to vote on allowance https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26715904.ben-houchen-receive-17-200-rise-mayoral-allowance/?ref=rss Tue, 10 Nov 2026 15:00:00 +0000 bf2d9d0caa23ac13c2606ac4f66d9d18 Daniel Hodgson £35m leisure hub to throw free launch party with paddleboarding and live music https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26458047.hartlepools-35m-highlight-hub-celebrate-opening-free-party/?ref=rss Thu, 13 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0100 64c78d765487589f13dccd83d0cb9719 will.foxx@newsquest.co.uk | Will Foxx Help for Teesside parents struggling with expensive back-to-school uniform costs https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26441944.launch-teesside-uniform-scheme-help-parents-costs/?ref=rss Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:30:00 +0100 bb867c1d8869dfd4f0d7146667019fe5 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf Leading manufacturer officially opens new Teesside depot with £14m investment https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26422266.scania-uk-officially-opened-new-stockton-service-depot/?ref=rss Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0100 d53f644331e0bcb694d30c4f39f2f6a3 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf 'Fantastic' opening in Teeside to help recycle e-waste and cut reliance on metals https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26278220.teeside-plant-opens-reduce-e-waste-cut-reliance-metals/?ref=rss Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0100 0155cd179ec5566e5c57de10bbd541ef freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf 26 jobs up for grabs at multibillion-pound North East industrial site - how to apply https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26278695.26-teesworks-jobs-grabs---apply/?ref=rss Tue, 14 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0100 c1787948686ca4468d94da1d8e21e23a anna.barnes@newsquest.co.uk | Anna Barnes Tourism pumps £1.5bn into Tees Valley economy as visitor numbers hit 'superb' record https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26275562.tourism-delivered-1-5-billion-boost-tees-valley-economy/?ref=rss Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0100 ecf0e02358c2e9cd2921bb4e93ff117d freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf Residents invited to have their say on planned transport changes across Teesside https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26244551.residents-say-teesside-transport-plans/?ref=rss Wed, 01 Jul 2026 17:30:00 +0100 049a67a907ae8aa1c320bb27c896cee1 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf Crackdown on crime and yobs launches in North East town thanks to £1.3m grant https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26242032.new-scheme-agreed-tackle-crime-middlesbrough/?ref=rss Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:44:50 +0100 5b78f96042392cc6c6311c9cdb87a004 freya.cain-metcalf@newsquest.co.uk | Freya Cain-Metcalf Darlington link road scheme concerns as 'perfect' route dropped from new consultation https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/26230824.darlington-northern-link-road-concerns-route-dropped-plans/?ref=rss Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:28:01 +0100 33746ff3cacc59cac693bfdfceb0d7d1 Local Democracy Reporter TVCA Mayor’s office budget is rising by 78.68 per cent to £486,000 next year https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25913710.tvca-announces-78-8-funding-increase-mayors-office/?ref=rss Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:43:17 +0000 8820750ea992de83f0325440551165fa Daniel Hodgson Ben Houchen denies Reform UK deflection rumours as he says loyalty is important https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25784581.tees-valley-mayor-ben-houchen-denies-reform-uk-deflection/?ref=rss Wed, 21 Jan 2026 13:01:00 +0000 5505809db881ec19d0e637adc026b3c2 Daniel Hodgson Ben Houchen makes Reform UK election victory prediction during interview appearance https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25730264.ben-houchen-says-reform-uk-win-tees-valley/?ref=rss Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000 b3b1fcd3a077259f8e80439d2cace2de Kayleigh.Fraser@newsquest.co.uk | Kayleigh Fraser Police chief hits back at mayor as he claims town becoming 'no-go zone' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25713977.chief-constable-rebukes-mayor-unnecessary-criticism/?ref=rss Sat, 20 Dec 2025 10:11:25 +0000 df1beb2d0437f2186b1905dbefb3d187 Gareth Lightfoot The truth behind the future of the Transporter Bridge six years after closure https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25658127.truth-behind-future-transporter-bridge/?ref=rss Sat, 29 Nov 2025 16:00:00 +0000 d03baaaad1eae5ac8f91841b71bc4540 alex.oleary@newsquest.co.uk | Alex O'Leary 'No thanks': No tourist tax for Darlington, Lord Houchen confirms https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25652784.ben-houchen-says-no-thanks-tees-valley-tourist-tax/?ref=rss Wed, 26 Nov 2025 16:05:00 +0000 2af5edc938589a6ba79d6d7961e96e46 joshua.nichol@newsquest.co.uk | Joshua Nichol Ben Houchen gives update on Jet2 negotiations after plane spotted at Teesside Airport https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25545609.jet2-fly-teesside-airport-ben-houchen-gives-update/?ref=rss Sat, 18 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100 6348c8107f07307d7a4efac587349b2c adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Ben Houchen on AI, data centres and how ex-SSI site could become next Silicon Valley https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25535996.ben-houchen-talks-new-era-former-ssi-steelworks/?ref=rss Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0100 072360bff27bee245d31e9e94e009d46 alex.oleary@newsquest.co.uk | Alex O'Leary Ben Houchen on losing 'community anchor' SSI and avoiding a repeat of history https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25507363.ben-houchen-talks-losing-ssi-avoiding-repeat-history/?ref=rss Mon, 13 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100 7048fba9bd4e58ff9a121119753a8f4f alex.oleary@newsquest.co.uk | Alex O'Leary Mayors 'appalled' and 'saddened' as terror attack confirmed at Manchester synagogue https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25513097.north-east-mayors-react-horrific-scenes-manchester/?ref=rss Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:39:17 +0100 14d07e45743ce5d0b9ca559e1e8d7f65 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Teesside Airport announce extra end of year flights to Alicante now on sale https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25505884.extra-flights-alicante-teesside-airport-now-sale/?ref=rss Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:26:32 +0100 b520077aac9a47b8f2aa68f091ce70fb adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Jobs secured at Teesside chemical factory after commitment from company https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25460512.sabic-continue-polyethylene-operations-teesside/?ref=rss Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:23:01 +0100 dddb5a12834474fe6df42e1cc2f90eed adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Mayor Ben Houchen argues Reform is 'singing to a tune' of public concerns https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25423152.ben-houchen-argues-reform-tapping-into-public-concerns/?ref=rss Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0100 c1df3c7bfee7e2c7e260638a4ef06ed9 alex.oleary@newsquest.co.uk | Alex O'Leary Labour hails progress year from sweeping General Election win but Tories slam 'chaos' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25286959.labour-mps-hail-year-progress-tories-say-government-chaos/?ref=rss Fri, 04 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100 dcab0cef4725532ab3566df895ca5d94 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Has the Government delivered on The Northern Echo's manifesto one year on? https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25286122.government-delivered-northern-echo-year/?ref=rss Fri, 04 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100 c5cde9ee8c3bd6058610eb031861a19a adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Darlington fish and chip shop named UK's best takeaway is expanding https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25239352.darlington-chippy-named-best-uk-expanding/?ref=rss Sat, 14 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0100 c841967a9c1d02d55c9fabd3f5c257e9 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Drone footage shows progress at Darlington station as final footbridge link installed https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25217970.drone-shot-shows-final-footbridge-link-installed-darlington-station/?ref=rss Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0100 0d9e6b13345665c61d62d23df7d37f90 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Tees Valley Combined Authority gets £1bn to improve transport links across region https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25212515.tees-valley-combined-authority-gets-1billion-boost-transport-links/?ref=rss Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:01:00 +0100 bb6c15d60df68a9a2e86d1e03c9520d9 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Leaders hail 'immense' opportunity of £118bn Great North blueprint https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25175604.ben-houchen-joins-northern-mayors-create-investment-group/?ref=rss Mon, 19 May 2025 19:00:00 +0100 d418f85fa1e1aa82316c13105608bf81 joshua.nichol@newsquest.co.uk | Joshua Nichol Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen to face public questioning in new Q&A slot https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25153212.ben-houchen-face-public-questioning-bbc-radio-tees/?ref=rss Sat, 10 May 2025 12:54:34 +0100 9c376d328feb3697208796eb2b3e777d olivia.howlett@newsquest.co.uk | Olivia Howlett PICTURES: North East falls silent and pays respect on 80th anniversary of VE Day https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25149029.ve-day-80-north-east-pays-respect-historic-anniversary/?ref=rss Thu, 08 May 2025 20:00:00 +0100 de43963d49a40f665db7eb7b5db6c6c3 adam.foster@newsquest.co.uk | Adam Foster Tees Valley Mayor issues update on Trump invite after state visit offer https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24979344.ben-houchen-issues-update-trump-visit-teesside/?ref=rss Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 0b8feb3eb54c79b2d5cf9b4b0bd13de0 joshua.nichol@newsquest.co.uk | Joshua Nichol Ben Houchen 'invites Donald Trump to Tees Valley' in congratulatory letter https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24746307.ben-houchen-invites-us-president-donald-trump-tees-valley/?ref=rss Sat, 23 Nov 2024 20:15:44 +0000 98473cff75d7fad7fc8ad0d4995876c9 daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Hordon Children invited to name and design new electric buses by Tees Valley Mayor Houchen https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24732545.tees-valley-mayor-ben-houchen-invites-children-name-buses/?ref=rss Tue, 19 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000 66252274f0c8071687ee64b958ee3547 Cian Mortimer Today's investment summit 'moment of significant opportunity', Ben Houchen writes https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/24649065.houchen-investment-summit-moment-significant-opportunity/?ref=rss Mon, 14 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0100 1658bdda64de0bba58d56fd8895dc517 Ben Houchen Comment by Ben Houchen: Devolution, done right, can be a game-changer for UK https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24644884.ben-houchen-devolution-done-right-can-game-changer/?ref=rss Thu, 10 Oct 2024 20:15:20 +0100 18675a8e0cc4af85d9a40cc2a470869c Ben Houchen Ben Houchen says Tories have 'huge job to do' on trust at party's conference https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24617270.tory-party-conference-ben-houchen-says-party-h/?ref=rss Sun, 29 Sep 2024 16:00:00 +0100 584f730288ba7a35c6b68e12c0f01438 daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Hordon Bye-bye bike lane: Plans to rip out controversial scheme finally laid out https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24481992.plans-rip-middlesbrough-cycle-lane-unveiled/?ref=rss Mon, 29 Jul 2024 10:23:42 +0100 886d6b6a90c421930802fb4046b17a4e alex.oleary@newsquest.co.uk | Alex O'Leary Ben Houchen urges Tory leadership frontrunner to conduct contest 'with civility' https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24466303.ben-houchen-urges-suella-braverman-civil-tory-leadership-contest/?ref=rss Sun, 21 Jul 2024 14:53:00 +0100 ed4bad62db0c62612448b8359ac4fc3c daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Hordon Ben Houchen WILL attend Keir Starmer's meeting of mayors despite being only Tory https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24438109.ben-houchen-attend-keir-starmers-mayor-meet-tory/?ref=rss Tue, 09 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100 01936b1edc3b66c44b82c4fa964f1c86 daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Hordon Ben Houchen reportedly approached for next series of ITV's Celebrity Big Brother https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24408042.ben-houchen-approached-itv-celebrity-big-brother/?ref=rss Mon, 24 Jun 2024 18:00:00 +0100 843dfafab56ce8bb1d1394cd3599ccd4 daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Hordon How many times does Conservative manifesto mention the North East? https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24380532.conservative-manifesto-offer-north-east/?ref=rss Tue, 11 Jun 2024 14:51:25 +0100 3e175ea68d01f26d92ea72a9f3ffba12 joshua.nichol@newsquest.co.uk | Joshua Nichol Mayor to launch consultation into new hospital despite questions over plans https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24309908.tees-valley-mayor-ben-houchen-launch-new-hospital-consultation/?ref=rss Thu, 09 May 2024 17:27:00 +0100 2cb290c46f0933b481e68d3cb24d40c1 Naomi Corrigan Rishi Sunak ultimately to blame for Tory 'chaos', claims Ben Houchen https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24308131.ben-houchen-tells-bbc-radio-tees-rishi-sunak-blame-tory-chaos/?ref=rss Thu, 09 May 2024 10:45:00 +0100 e657cf96e2fbbf560f84d958db47f9a9 daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Hordon Ben Houchen wins third term as Tees Valley Mayor beating opposition Chris McEwan https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24294142.ben-houchen-success-winning-third-term-tees-valley-mayor/?ref=rss Fri, 03 May 2024 12:00:00 +0100 692ddd3a16b505958dd7c83cc095a6cd tom.burgess@newsquest.co.uk | Tom Burgess Well said, Mr Gibson https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/24280926.steve-gibson-right-call-houchen-back-labour/?ref=rss Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:49:16 +0100 10d410df3fb4a2f55f8e9145c7bbe197 Steve Gibson accuses Ben Houchen of 'giving away children's future' in Teesworks deal https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24274083.steve-gibson-backs-chris-mcewan-mayor-accusing-houchen/?ref=rss Tue, 23 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0100 9c09ae3f08fc9e7a64326a738506ca54 chris.lloyd@nne.co.uk | Chris Lloyd Labour calling on Ben Houchen to reject party money from Tory donor in race row https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24191331.tees-valley-mayor-elections-houchen-urged-reject-frank-hester-cash/?ref=rss Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:00:00 +0000 2ddfc0e1d96de2320894496dd1e38f40 daniel.hordon@newsquest.co.uk | Daniel Hordon Mayor pledges to make swimming free for all kids under 11 in reelection campaign https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24095132.tees-valley-mayor-pledges-free-swimming-11s/?ref=rss Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:01:00 +0000 013fb29ec104fca499552cfbcbf4e200 phoebe.abruzzese@newsquest.co.uk | Phoebe Abruzzese 'None of this nonsense will happen': Mixed reaction to £1bn TVCA transport plans https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24052775.reaction-1bn-transport-plans-tees-valley/?ref=rss Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:00:00 +0000 74e1ccd0db396876fad02cf8e61d1307 Naomi Corrigan