We're cutting Metro fares - North East Combined Authority - 26.01.26 YouTube video by North East Combined Authority

Very welcome news! The metro is pretty expensive (£6.70 for a return) so savings here will definitely add up 👏

youtube.com/shorts/ObgL1...

Leamside Line agreement between Gateshead and County Durham signed The Leamside Line's reopening is set to progress as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail initiative.

The North East is a very transient place, we're always hopping over bridges and boundaries. Very welcome transport news to ensure better connectivity for everyone around the region - which is crucial for regional growth
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

@heidialexander.bsky.social and Kim McGuiness

Great to see IPPR North research on disparities in transport spending on the North, London, and the rest of the country showcased on @itvpeston.bsky.social last night.

The difference in spending truly is stark.

Read the full report here: lnkd.in/etg4w27f

📊ONS employment figures for the North East released today paint a stark image of the region - but they don't tell the whole story.

@indiafhg.bsky.social, Newcastle-based researcher at IPPR North explains why👇👇

North Shields to bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028 North Shields is entering the competition on the back of its 800th anniversary last year.

Well yes!
(Once saw a seal right near those boats!)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

👏🏻 The long awaited MVAWG strategy is finally here!👏🏻

I will collect my thoughts once I've had a chance to sit down and properly read it!

I've seen mixed opinions. What's everyone's thoughts so far?

#mvawg #vawgstrategy #vawg

They literally couldn’t be bothered to even show up to discuss the VAWG strategy today. bsky.app/profile/sara...

New update on the government's train station builds...🚆🏘️

What's everyone's thoughts?

Very interesting article on NE housing & devolution.

Key stat? 👉Across our 7 authorities, around 60,000 households are waiting for social housing. Even in the best-case scenario, this SAHP funding would meet only 12 – 13% of current demand.

And on this note.. If you've not read Caroline Criado Perez's book "Invisible Women: Exposing data bias in a world designed for men" I highly recommend!

And... following from the back of this, I'll use it as a cheeky opportunity for a little plug of when I said this...

www.ippr.org/articles/not...

#northeast #housing

Hot take: having a 1,300 housing portfolio amidst a housing & homelessness crisis is not a brag.

I think it reached Newcastle a long time ago...

Although I agree, people, especially down South are still surprised we have an issue and think it's a personal failing because "but it's so cheap!?" erm, no.

Great that we're getting some coverage!

Now it's time for a panel on child poverty in Scotland. Great that we have some panellists with lived experience too. @ipprscotland.bsky.social

Now we're onto Scottish democracy. Very interested to hear on people's opinions on democracy from a devolved government...

Hearing from First Minister @johnswinney.bsky.social -

He's ticking the boxes for me talking about the negative impacts of Thatcherism.

I'm up further North today for the 10th Anniversary Conference in Edinburgh for @ipprscotland.bsky.social 's birthday 🎂🎉

Today we're hearing about all the big things- poverty, democracy, economy and net zero.

Great day so far at the Crisis NE regional homelessness conference!

#homelessness #crisis #regionalhomelessconference
#northeast

Photograph of 6 people on a table with microphones, discussing housing

Photograph of myself discussing housing

Photograph of 3 people on a table with microphones, discussing housing

Was great to be on the RIBA panel at Labour Conference #LC25 on behalf of @ipprnorth.bsky.social. I discussed what we want to see taken into account in the 1.5m homes target

SEN Suspensions — Arlen Pettitt - Policy | Content | Comms

Lastly, you can read @arlenpettitt.bsky.social 's report, recommendations & his moving personal foreword here (sending love to your son Arlen!):

👇

www.arlenpettitt.co.uk/sen-suspensi...

🧠As someone with neurodivergence myself, I managed to succeed in school being the more reserved 'neurotypical' passing type, but you shouldn't have to present neurotypical to not be penalised.

😦What really stands out for me - is these are children as young as 5 years old. And suspension rates only increase with age.

Children need to be supported right from the outset & able to flourish as themselves, not forced into neurotypical boxes.📦🙅‍♀️

We can see the NE is:
👉 slightly more likely to refuse an initial assessment for an EHCP
👉North Tyneside most likely in the NE with 46.1% of initial assessments refused
👉more likely to miss the 20wk deadline for decisions

This means kids without a plan are more likely to have unmet needs

📜⚖️Arlen also highlights EHCPs (Education, Health & Care Plans) - a legal document setting out a young person’s needs, and what should be done to accommodate them.

The highest proportion of SEN suspensions is in South Tyneside (where I'm from) at 88.9%, and the lowest is Gateshead at 73.3%...

2) In the North East, the % of suspensions of pupils in state-funded primary schools in receipt of SEN support, was higher than the English average

🔍When we look at local authority break downs for the NE we can see...

1) Across England, the number of suspensions in state-funded primaries has increased from 49,600 in 2014/15
to 84,200 in 2022/23 (a 69.7% increase)!

But in the North East Combined Authority region, a 103% increase has been seen!😱

Opened this morning's work inbox to a special email from @arlenpettitt.bsky.social on his new report "Set Up To Fail"
outlining regional inequality in the use of school suspensions for children, especially those with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Let's have a look...🔍

It's a strange feeling being back in the same university lecture theatre you sat doing your degree years ago...

But that's where I'm at, to listen to THE @michaelmarmot.bsky.social!

@insightsnortheast.bsky.social

💊 🏥 🩻 🧠 🫁 🫀🫆🩸🦠🦷🦾🦻🏻

#publichealth #marmot

Well well well, I seem to attract becoming an advert for increased transportation spending:

➡️ NCL to Liverpool requires 3 trains on a Sunday
➡️ 1st train "power shortage issues"
➡️ Connection missed.
➡️No direct train to LV from Leeds for another hour.
➡️Next train to LV via MCR overcrowded chaos