Columnists: Ben Houchen

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

Mayor calls for leaders to be given powers to 'slash' business rates
BUSINESS rates would be cut across the Tees Valley if local leaders received greater decision-making powers, the region’s mayor has said.

Revealed: See new plans for Teesside Airport business park

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

Updated 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

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.

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

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

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen

Ryanair represents a huge vote of confidence in Teesside

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen

Mayor's message: Please keep on keeping on

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. Picture: Tees Valley Combined Authority. Free for use by LDRS partners.

COMMENT: BEN HOUCHEN Ben Houchen column: How we are helping all ages find new jobs

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen with the aircraft Picture: DAVE CHARNLEY

OPINION: BEN HOUCHEN Our airport really is taking off - as will our region as we recover

Ben Houchen, Tees Valley mayor

Ben Houchen: Why we're pushing for civil service relocation to Tees Valley

The former SSI site

Ben Houchen: A little light of optimism

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen at the Redcar blast furnace site in March 2019

Ben Houchen: SSIgning the steelworks deal is the start of our new future

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen at the launch of the new flights from Teesside International Airport Picture: STUART BOULTON

Ben Houchen: New flights are vote of confidence in our airport and region

Rosie Whelpton, Business Development Director at Hush Digital, Jonny Overfield, Creative Director at Hush Digital and Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor

Creating the links for life

The explosions at the former SSI steelworks site in South Bank. Picture: Nick Taylor

Ben Houchen: My deep sadness at SSI loss of life

Secretary of State for International Trade Liz Truss MP joined Mayor Ben Houchen, MP Simon Clark and Frans Calje CEO of PD Ports on a visit to PD Ports Teesport
2/8/19 Pic Doug Moody Photography.

Transporting the next generation to a thriving future

Ben Houchen, Liz Truss and Simon Clarke at Teesport to launch the freeport consultation

Ben Houchen: why a freeport is our gateway to future prosperity

Ben Houchen urges the public sector, especially local government, to do everything in its power to advertise tender opportunities to local firms

Mayor pledges to keep it local

British Steel at Lackenby Works. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Ben Houchen: Saving steel – a foundation of our region

he Conservatives celebrating becoming the biggest party on Darlington Council

Ben Houchen: Voters bring positive changes

FUTURE: Durham Tees Valley Airport Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT.

Ben Houchen: Preparing our airport for take-off

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke

Ben Houchen: We are a small region that is thinking big

Tees valley Mayor Ben Houchen - '2019 promises to be a make or break year for our area'

Ben Houchen: '2019 promises to be a make or break year for our area'

Ben Houchen is the Conservative directly-elected mayor of the Tees Valley

Ben Houchen: Building on the shoulders of giants

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Ben Houchen: getting the post-Brexit boost in funding out to the regions

Pop trio Take That have announced they are playing a concert at Riverside Stadium, in Middlesbrough

Ben Houchen: Take That shows region is on the rise

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen. Picture: Keith Taylor

Ben Houchen: Ours is a region that is on the up

Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling with Simon Clarke MP and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen at Darlington Railway Station. Picture: Stuart Boulton

Ben Houchen: New branch for railway revolution

Durham Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen. Picture: Keith Taylor

Ben Houchen: Breaking free from EU bonds

Durham Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen. Picture: Keith Taylor

Ben Houchen: Green shoots are sprouting from devolution

Katie Sadler, Sales Manager, Middlesbrough Football Club, Lisa Templeman, Project Support Officer, Middlesbrough Council, Kevin Parkes, Executive Director of Growth and Place, Middlesbrough Council, Linda Tuttiett, Head of Culture and Tourism, Tees

Ben Houchen: Trying to bring rugby home to the region

Prime Minister Theresa May with Chief Operating Officer of PD Ports Jerry Hopkinson (centre) and the Mayor of Tees valley Ben Houchen (right) during a visit to Teesside on August 23, 2017

Ben Houchen: Lights, camera and lots of action in the Tees Valley

TRADE: Politicians and local firms are calling for Teesport to be given 'free port' status

Ben Houchen: Embracing the free port opportunity

An aerial view of the former SSI steelworks site in Redcar

Ben Houchen: Now I must deliver for the people

Ben Houchen and Redcar MP Anna Turley at the launch of the launch of the new South Tees Development Corporation

Ben Houchen: Putting a spring in the Tees Valley's step

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has pledged to take Durham Tees Valley Airport into public control

Ben Houchen: I will deliver on airport promise

Prime Minister Theresa May with Chief Operating Officer of PD Ports Jerry Hopkinson (centre) and the Mayor of Tees valley Ben Houchen (right) during a visit to Teesside. Picture: Scott Heppell/PA Wire

Ben Houchen: Visit of Theresa May to Tees Valley was 'an important moment in our local story'

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen at the Business Summit

Ben Houchen: A welcome shift in the balance of power