Columnists: Ben Houchen

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

4:40pm Friday 1st February 2019

THE last few weeks have been pretty monumental for the Tees Valley. We saved our airport, but I wouldn’t want it to overshadow some other good news.

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

5:00am Sunday 30th December 2018

"2019 promises to be a make or break year for our area. As we look to a positive future outside the European Union, the Tees Valley won’t just be competing with Newcastle, Leeds or Birmingham. Our success depends on our ability to work, trade and collaborate with old friends and new allies around the world.

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Ben Houchen: Building on the shoulders of giants

5:50am Monday 26th November 2018

WHEN our transport system works well you might barely notice it, but when it doesn’t meet the public’s expectations it can quickly become a make or break issue for politicians.

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Ben Houchen: Take That shows region is on the rise

5:04pm Sunday 23rd September 2018

A FEW weeks ago, TransPennine Express (quietly) put forward a proposal that would've seen a swathe of train cancellations across the Tees Valley, just so it could ease congestion in Manchester and the North West!

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

2:58pm Friday 31st August 2018

ACROSS the Tees Valley, our economy is on the up. Over the past year, almost 1,000 new companies have started up, exports are up six per cent, advertised salaries are up five per cent, our A-Level results are the best in the country, and unemployment has fallen to its lowest level in history.

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Ben Houchen: New branch for railway revolution

5:51am Monday 30th July 2018

LET’S bring train-building back home.

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Ben Houchen: Breaking free from EU bonds

2:41pm Friday 22nd June 2018

WHILE Westminster politicians were at each other’s throats over the EU Withdrawal Bill last week, I was also in London making sure our voice was heard in the Brexit negotiations.

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Ben Houchen: Green shoots are sprouting from devolution

5:02am Monday 28th May 2018

ONE year ago this month, I had the honour of being elected Tees Valley Mayor, representing the area I have always been proud to call home.

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Ben Houchen: Trying to bring rugby home to the region

3:16am Sunday 29th April 2018

IN the past few months, I have been working hard to get all eyes on the Tees Valley, shouting about the brilliant things our region has to offer.

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

7:49pm Saturday 24th February 2018

ONE of the best parts of being mayor is that you’re the area’s number one ambassador on the national stage. This month the Tees Valley has been thrust into the national spotlight, with barely a day going by where I haven’t been contacted for radio, television or press interviews.

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Ben Houchen: Embracing the free port opportunity

5:54pm Sunday 28th January 2018

WHEN we leave the EU, Britain will find itself with more freedoms than at any time in almost half a century. Whether you voted Leave or Remain, we need to look to the future and at the opportunities that are ahead.

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Ben Houchen: Now I must deliver for the people

10:53am Monday 27th November 2017

IN September, I chaired a board meeting of the South Tees Development Corporation in Redcar.

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

4:54pm Friday 27th October 2017

THE launch of the new South Tees Development Corporation re-enforced to me the serious attention our local economy is being given by the Government, and by international investors and big business. The fact that the Prime Minister put the weight of her office behind the only Mayoral Development Corporation outside London has caused those in leadership positions to pause and give our area a second look.

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Ben Houchen: I will deliver on airport promise

5:00am Monday 25th September 2017

NEXT week marks the halfway point in the public sector financial year. In Tees Valley, it marks the special moment that is the start of some of the extra spending that is possible as a result of the unique devolution deal between the Conservative mayor, our local authorities and the Conservative Government.

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

1:59pm Tuesday 29th August 2017

LAST week the Prime Minister came to Tees Valley to officially launch the new South Tees Development Corporation.

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Ben Houchen: A welcome shift in the balance of power

1:27pm Monday 7th August 2017

I THINK we can all agree that for too long, decisions affecting the Tees Valley have been made by civil servants in London who’ve had no real idea about the facts on the ground.

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