Comment

Barry and Vicky Thompson at Darlington Baptist Church in Corporation Road

6

The couple who transformed a disused Darlington church into a lifeline community hub

Tata Steel, Port Talbot

Tata Steel, Port Talbot

THE ECHO SAYS...

3

Steel cold realities hit Labour hard

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discussing the winter fuel payment withdrawal on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer discussing the winter fuel payment withdrawal on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

THE ECHO SAYS...

3

The bad politics of the winter fuel payment vote

Lee Carsley applauds the fans after England's Nations League win over Ireland

Lee Carsley applauds the fans after England's Nations League win over Ireland

Releasing the shackles? Lee Carsley isn't doing anything Gareth Southgate didn't do..

The Prime Minister explains to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg why he won't be backing down on the winter fuel allowance

The Prime Minister explains to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg why he won't be backing down on the winter fuel allowance

9

Winter fuel allowance: right idea but wrong implementation

Two months since polling day: Peter Gibson at the Darlington count. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH.

Two months since polling day: Peter Gibson at the Darlington count. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH.

OPINION: PETER GIBSON

88

Why two months has been a very long time in politics

7 cups of tea. Which one is best? Well, I was stunned to find out which was my favourite

7 cups of tea. Which one is best? Well, I was stunned to find out which was my favourite

7

The best cup of tea? I blind tested 7 to see if Yorkshire really is my favourite

Chancellor Rachel Reeves giving a speech at the Treasury Image: Jonathan Brady

Chancellor Rachel Reeves giving a speech at the Treasury Image: Jonathan Brady

OPINION: RACHEL REEVES

81

Rachel Reeves: The reality of the £22bn black hole the Tories left for us to fill

Handley Street, Horden. Photograph: Stuart Boulton..

Handley Street, Horden. Photograph: Stuart Boulton..

Local government

3

London Councils 'dumping' homeless people in county Durham homes - Echo comment

Rhys Elliott after winning on Gastronomy at Redcar earlier this year

Rhys Elliott after winning on Gastronomy at Redcar earlier this year

Winning by smiles - the teenager dreaming of being the next Frankie Dettori

The aftermath of the Grenfell fire

The aftermath of the Grenfell fire

THE ECHO SAYS...

2

Report lays bare the shocking failings that caused Grenfell

Mary Kelly Foy, Labour MP for Durham

Mary Kelly Foy, Labour MP for Durham

OPINION: MARY KELLY FOY

62

The new 1% tax that could help end the scourge of child poverty

Whorlton Bridge repairs. L-R: Lee Jackson, Project Manager, Cllr John Shuttleworth and Alan Patrickson, Corporate Director for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change. Photo by: Silverbird Photography Emily Carey (www.silverbirdphotography.com).

Whorlton Bridge repairs. L-R: Lee Jackson, Project Manager, Cllr John Shuttleworth and Alan Patrickson, Corporate Director for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change. Photo by: Silverbird Photography Emily Carey (www.silverbirdphotography.com).

Should we be grateful for repairs to our bridges?

File photo dated 14/06/07 of a cigarette burning on an ashtray. Labour must seize the opportunity to phase out smoking

File photo dated 14/06/07 of a cigarette burning on an ashtray. Labour must seize the opportunity to phase out smoking

THE ECHO SAYS...

14

Has the time come for a ban on smoking in pub gardens?

Melvyn Wake enjoying a nostalgic visit to Hopetown

Melvyn Wake enjoying a nostalgic visit to Hopetown

4

Hopetown revived memories for last apprentice at Darlington's Locomotive Workshops

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended stopping all pensioners receiving the winter fuel payment, amid warnings it could create a 'public health emergency' (Peter Byrne/PA).

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended stopping all pensioners receiving the winter fuel payment, amid warnings it could create a 'public health emergency' (Peter Byrne/PA).

THE ECHO SAYS...

10

Turning up the heat on the loss of Winter Fuel Payment

Oasis band members Noel (left) and Liam Gallagher in 2008

Oasis band members Noel (left) and Liam Gallagher in 2008

THE ECHO SAYS...

7

Tory inheritance? Would Starmer be better off to just roll with it?

Suicide is a hugely sensitive, complex issue.

Suicide is a hugely sensitive, complex issue.

Charity Fundraiser

1

I'm heading to Norway to raise money for the fight against suicide - here's why

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on stage in Milwaukee (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on stage in Milwaukee (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

THE ECHO SAYS...

6

Harris is a breath of fresh air, even if we are still waiting for policies

Congratulations to everyone who has got their GCSE results, but where is there such a big gap in attainment between north and south?

Congratulations to everyone who has got their GCSE results, but where is there such a big gap in attainment between north and south?

THE ECHO SAYS...

6

Can Labour pass the exam by closing the regional gaps on educational achievement?

Jill Winterburn, the longest-serving volunteer with the Dogs Trust in Darlington

Jill Winterburn, the longest-serving volunteer with the Dogs Trust in Darlington

Darlington volunteer who does thousands of dog walks - but doesn't own a pooch

Hundreds of children in temporary accommodation in the North East

Hundreds of children in temporary accommodation in the North East

Local government

5

How can we tackle the scandal of homelessness in our midst?

THE ECHO SAYS...

1

A prison system that's failing all – prisoners and society alike

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a good-natured discussion with the officials at the end of a match at Anfield

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has a good-natured discussion with the officials at the end of a match at Anfield

Do our Premier League footballers need a dose of Olympian spirit?

An exam room (David Davies/PA)

An exam room (David Davies/PA)

THE ECHO SAYS...

1

Congratulations to all students - but can the Government pass the regional gap test?

The NHS relies on recruits from all corners of the world

The NHS relies on recruits from all corners of the world

41

In the midst of racist riots, a salute to the multinational heroes of the NHS

British Transport Police Image: PA

British Transport Police Image: PA

THE ECHO SAYS...

4

We cannot have a two-tier railway: every carriage must be safe for everyone

Taken: Sunday 8th August 2021 Teesside International Airport at night. Image Byline: Dave Charnley Photography..

Taken: Sunday 8th August 2021 Teesside International Airport at night. Image Byline: Dave Charnley Photography..

THE ECHO SAYS...

Local government

7

Does one small profit mean the airport is now flying high?

Cole Stewart, 18, of Darlington

Cole Stewart, 18, of Darlington

2

18 months is a stiff sentence, but there is little sympathy for the boy rioters

I tried the new roller skating rink in Metrocentre, here are my thoughts.

I tried the new roller skating rink in Metrocentre, here are my thoughts.

1

I roller skated for the first time... in front of an entire shopping centre

James Hobson with one of his photographs at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

James Hobson with one of his photographs at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

1

Redcar blast furnace images earn North East photographer national honour

Today, The Northern Echo celebrates those people. Those who fuelled their anger into a repair and rebuild job because they are proud of where they live.

Today, The Northern Echo celebrates those people. Those who fuelled their anger into a repair and rebuild job because they are proud of where they live.

5

In rebuilding & repairing our communities we have seen the best of the North East

The Coniscliffe Road seating area is to be made a permanent feature in Darlington

The Coniscliffe Road seating area is to be made a permanent feature in Darlington

THE ECHO SAYS...

Local government

7

Darlington council is right to try to make the town centre more welcoming to people

Mary Kelly Foy speaking after her re-election Image: Stuart Boulton

Mary Kelly Foy speaking after her re-election Image: Stuart Boulton

14

My hopes for our new Labour government

Matinee Matters guests with cast members from The Mousetrap at Darlington Hippodrome

Matinee Matters guests with cast members from The Mousetrap at Darlington Hippodrome

2

How Darlington Hippodrome Theatre is being used to help to tackle isolation

Great Britain's Kieran Reilly in action during the Men's Park Qualification at La Concord on the fourth day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. Picture date: Tuesday July 30, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA

Great Britain's Kieran Reilly in action during the Men's Park Qualification at La Concord on the fourth day of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France. Picture date: Tuesday July 30, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA

THE ECHO SAYS...

What? Sport without cheating or spitting? Never mind, football will soon be here...

Grandad at Large

The answer to my 92-year-old mother's hearing problems – Nat King Cole

Are you a first-time buyer or have you been thinking about buying a new build?

Are you a first-time buyer or have you been thinking about buying a new build?

4

I’m a first-time new build buyer – my story isn’t horrifying, it's life changing

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe

Newcastle United FC

'Eddie Howe has the assurances he wanted - now there is a demand for him to deliver'

There are 261,000 long term empty homes in Britain

There are 261,000 long term empty homes in Britain

THE ECHO SAYS...

4

Empty homes are quite literally a waste of space

Diana Barnato Walkr MBE who made history from RAF Middleton St George

Diana Barnato Walkr MBE who made history from RAF Middleton St George

7

The day the world's fastest woman took off from Teesside and flew into history

Sir Keir Starmer has disciplined rebels who voted against the party's policy on child benefits. Image: PA

Sir Keir Starmer has disciplined rebels who voted against the party's policy on child benefits. Image: PA

THE ECHO SAYS...

10

Labour needs to scrap the two child cap - but the rebels haven't helped

Pedestrians pass the Darlington branch of House of Fraser, which is one of those expected to close after the retailer announced plans to shut 31 of its 59 stores across the UK and Ireland as part of a rescue deal, impacting around 6,000 jobs. PRESS

Pedestrians pass the Darlington branch of House of Fraser, which is one of those expected to close after the retailer announced plans to shut 31 of its 59 stores across the UK and Ireland as part of a rescue deal, impacting around 6,000 jobs. PRESS

THE ECHO SAYS...

Local government

1

Good luck, House of Fraser – your town centre still needs you!

Paul Howell speaking after the election result Image: Stuart Boulton

Paul Howell speaking after the election result Image: Stuart Boulton

COMMENT: PAUL HOWELL

1

The four agendas my successor as MP for Aycliffe & Spennymoor needs to pick up

King Charles III, waits with Queen Camilla for members of the House of Commons to arrive so the king can read the King's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London. Picture date: Wednesday July 17, 2024. PA Photo. See PA

King Charles III, waits with Queen Camilla for members of the House of Commons to arrive so the king can read the King's Speech at the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, London. Picture date: Wednesday July 17, 2024. PA Photo. See PA

THE ECHO SAYS...

32

The King's Speech: a welcome start with few surprises

Lyndon Longhorne achieves his dream of competing in the Paralympics as he dives into the pool at Tokyo

Lyndon Longhorne achieves his dream of competing in the Paralympics as he dives into the pool at Tokyo

The iron will of the County Durham boy who defied the odds to be a Paralympic hero

England manager Gareth Southgate walks dejected past the trophy after the UEFA Euro 2024 final match at Olympiastadion, Berlin. Picture date: Sunday July 14, 2024..

England manager Gareth Southgate walks dejected past the trophy after the UEFA Euro 2024 final match at Olympiastadion, Berlin. Picture date: Sunday July 14, 2024..

The Echo says...

At the end of a footballing golden age, we say goodbye to Gareth, and thank-you

The entrance to Hopetown, Darlington

The entrance to Hopetown, Darlington

8

A warm welcome to Hopetown, Darlington's new £37m railway visitor attraction

City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy

City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy

9

Gala shows that we may be bruised but we are never defeated

Peter Gibson at the Darlington count on election night

Peter Gibson at the Darlington count on election night

32

Peter Gibson: Thank-you, Darlington, for the journey of my life

Kim McGuinness.

Kim McGuinness.

27

Kim McGuinness: The North East needs change and the hard work starts now

Veteran North East TV cameraman Les Coates

Veteran North East TV cameraman Les Coates

A life in focus...the pioneering TV cameraman who covered the North East for 50 years

Mum with her lucky dog biscuits

Mum with her lucky dog biscuits

Grandad at Large

Bark of the net! How my mum brought England luck - by nibbling on dog biscuits

Durham Police handout photo of Darryl Anderson, who was almost three times over the limit and who took a photo of his speedometer showing 141mph moments before he crashed into a car killing a baby and his aunt has been jailed for more than 17 years

Durham Police handout photo of Darryl Anderson, who was almost three times over the limit and who took a photo of his speedometer showing 141mph moments before he crashed into a car killing a baby and his aunt has been jailed for more than 17 years

THE ECHO SAYS...

1

There are times when the key really should be thrown away

Read more articles