High Fell Labour

18/10/2026

The Labour Government announced that its Warm Homes programme will be increasingly devolved to mayors and local government through what it is calling the Great Home Upgrade.

That could fund measures such as insulation, cleaner heating, solar power and wider improvements to homes and neighbourhoods.
Great British Energy is also launching a £1 billion Local Power Plan intended to help councils and communities own and generate energy locally.

For Gateshead this is potentially significant because more decisions could be made in the North East rather than Whitehall.
But where responsibility ultimately sits with Gateshead Council, the current Reform UK administration would decide how the borough engages with those opportunities.

We will be watching.

16/10/2026

I wear red almost every day. Red tie, red socks, red(ish) glasses. But today I’ve got plenty of company!

It’s Show Racism The Red Card’s Wear Red Day, and schools, workplaces and communities across the country are wearing red to support the charity’s work tackling racism.

Founded here in the North East 30 years ago, Show Racism The Red Card works with young people to challenge racism and prejudice before they take root. Schools across Gateshead have benefited from that work, and many are wearing red today.

I’m pleased that colleagues from across the House of Commons have come together to show their support too.

It’s disappointing that Gateshead Council has refused to light the Millennium Bridge red this year. Tackling racism shouldn’t be a party-political issue, and supporting a charity that helps children understand and challenge prejudice shouldn’t be controversial.

Wearing red for a day won’t end racism. But education, challenging prejudice and standing together as communities can make a real difference.

Every child in Gateshead deserves to grow up feeling safe, welcome and part of our community. That’s something worth standing up for.

Are you wearing red today?

16/10/2026

15/10/2026

The Labour Government is planning new vocational GCSEs alongside existing academic qualifications, with technical and vocational education intended to have much greater status within the school system.

Ministers also announced more work experience, stronger technical routes after 16 and a longer-term ambition for young people to have a 45-day work placement between 16 and 18.

For young people in Gateshead, that could eventually mean more routes connecting school with further education, apprenticeships and employment rather than treating university as the only measure of success.

SEND reform, early intervention and greater inclusion were also identified as priorities.

These are national education reforms, so they do not depend upon the political control of Gateshead Council, although local schools, colleges, employers and the authority will all have roles in delivery.

10/10/2026

Have your say on support for paying Council Tax 📝

We want your views on a proposed change to our Council Tax Support Scheme, which helps people on a low income pay their Council Tax.

Currently, working age claimants must pay a minimum of 8.5% towards their Council Tax bill. We are proposing that this minimum contribution increases to 10% from April 2027, to help keep the scheme affordable for the council while continuing to support residents who need it most.

You can share your views until 18 November. Link in comments 👇

10/10/2026

Work is progressing on installing new traffic signals on a busy roundabout in the centre of Gateshead.

The Bensham roundabout sits at the junction of Bensham Road, the West Central Route, Regent Street and Prince Consort Road.

We are scheduling the work on the new signals outside peak hours as far as possible to minimise disruption to traffic.

Whenever work is taking place, the team from regional traffic signals will only require single lane closures, so the roundabout will still be in use – but with reduced capacity.

Work began last Friday (2nd October) and continued on Saturday 3rd.
Further works will now take place on a slightly revised schedule:
Sat 10th October 6am-4pm, then 8pm-3am nightshift
Sun 11th October 6am-4pm, then 8pm-3am nightshift
Mon 12th October 8pm-3am nightshift
Tuesday 13th October 8pm-3am nightshift
Sat 17th October 6am-4pm
Sun 18th October 6am-4pm

10/10/2026

Thinking about fostering?

It is not too late to register for our next fostering information event to find out more about fostering with your local council.

Join our team for a chat:
📍Blaydon Library
📅Monday 12 October, 5:30pm to 7pm

To book see the link in the comments. 👇

09/10/2026

Please consider submitting a response.

Starts: 8 Oct 2026 | Ends: 28 Oct 2026

08/10/2026

04/10/2026