Labour Party Crook Branch

19/06/2026

17/06/2026

🚨 NEW: The government has today announced a £61 million Community Right to Buy Fund to help local people take ownership of the pubs, shops, community spaces and sports pitches that matter to them.

17/06/2026

15/06/2026

CALLING FOR A 'NEIGHBOURHOOD SPENDING LOCK'

Alongside 3 fellow Labour MPs - each of us from a different region of England- I am calling for a new approach to public spending that guarantees the most disadvantaged communities receive their fair share of investment.

The success of the Pride in Place programme is already showing what can be achieved when communities are given the resources and support they need to thrive. But too often, investment depends on short-term funding rounds and political decisions.

We're calling for a Neighbourhood Spending Lock: a long-term commitment to ensure that the communities facing the greatest challenges are guaranteed sustained investment in jobs, public services, and the local organisations and facilities that bring people together.

If we are serious about tackling inequality and restoring pride in our communities, we need a funding model that matches that ambition.

Read more here:
https://labourlist.org/2026/06/a-neighbourhood-spending-lock/

03/06/2026

A public consultation will mark the first formal stage of a new planning framework for County Durham.

Cabinet will be asked next week to agree proposals for us to engage with residents, businesses and stakeholders on a scoping report, which will identify strategic priorities for a new County Durham Plan.

At a meeting next Wednesday (10 June), they’ll hear how a consultation will make sure the new plan reflects local priorities and provides a strong foundation for the detailed policy work that will follow.

It comes after councillors agreed late last year that the previous plan needed a full update following national changes to planning policy which have significantly increased estimated housing needs across the county.

Having formally started the plan-making process in March, a public consultation on the scoping report would represent a major milestone for us, being one of the first authorities to update our plan in light of national policy changes.

The scoping report identifies strategic priorities, key issues and overall direction for the new plan, setting out early ideas on themes such as housing, economic development, infrastructure, environmental protection and place-based priorities.

It will also allow the plan to correspond with our work on Strategic Place Plans (SPPs), which aim to create a vision for towns across the county to support a thriving economy and meet the needs of everyone who lives and works in those towns.

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

Confidence is surging across the North East — and it’s fantastic to see our region leading the way. New figures show business confidence here has jumped to its highest level in years, with firms feeling optimistic about the economy, planning to grow, hire and invest. — it’s good news for workers, families and communities across County Durham and beyond.
Proud of our region. Proud of our people. And proud to see the North East stepping forward with energy, optimism and a clear sense of momentum.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/surge-confidence-sees-north-east-060000990.html?utm_source=copilot.com

Business confidence in the North East has surged to its highest level in years, with firms reporting growing optimism about trading conditions and the wider economy, according to the latest figures.

28/05/2026

The dark blue bars show boat arrivals up to May 20th, and this year's bar is noticeably smaller than the ones for 2024 and 2025. It shows that the year has started off with a lot fewer crossings. 👀 despite excellent weather..
No wonder Nigel is quiet.

28/05/2026

Nigel Farage now says “foreign actors” — even Russia — hacked his social media and exposed details about £5 million in unrestricted personal donations. If that’s true, it’s a national security issue: hostile states accessing sensitive financial information before the British public. If it isn’t true, it raises serious questions about why the £5m wasn’t disclosed.

Either way, we need clarity.
If hackers got in, what else did they see or take?

🚨 Nigel Farage has 24 hours

Nigel Farage has publicly claimed that his phone, email and bank accounts may have been targeted by hostile actors linked to Russia. If that is true, these are incredibly serious allegations with implications far beyond one individual politician. Matters involving potential foreign interference and national security should be properly reported and independently investigated by the relevant authorities.

At the same time, serious questions remain around the undeclared £5 million gift, the changing explanations around it and the lack of transparency over the details.

Politics cannot work on "trust me". Whether you support Labour, Reform or anyone else, people deserve transparency and accountability.

I’ve written to Nigel today asking for clarity and the full facts.

FULL LETTER IN THE COMMENTS BELOW 👀👇🏼

27/05/2026

Have your say!

We're into the final weeks of the Youth Voice Census ⏱️

We've had a great response from younger cohorts, but we're now particularly keen to hear from those 18-30 to make sure that all North East youth voice is represented.

Please do share the survey with anyone in your network who can participate:
⏱️ Takes around 15–20 minutes
✅ No preparation needed
🔒 Completely anonymous
👉 Take part here: https://orlo.uk/pN06O