New analysis from Sir Michael Marmot and The Michael Marmot Institute of Health Equity UCL shows life expectancy divides grew fastest in the North East in the years before the pandemic (which actually made things worse)

More on the 'tragic waste' in today's Northern Agenda newsletter thenorthernagenda.co.uk

Graphic: PA Media

Have loved recording these this season. 44 minutes of raw emotion, hysteria, jubilation, pitchside match action and slightly boozed-up promotion reflections, all in one podcast. Also a great cameo from Rob Parsons. #dcfc #dcfc fans

Mayoral elections are funny things: Labour seem to be losing in the Tees Valley but (as per this poll by Labour Together) winning in Rishi Sunak's backyard in York and North Yorkshire

Local activists say the race will be 'really tight': my preview here

examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-new…

Andrew Carter Dave Hill Kate Knowles Rob Parsons 'It's a much closer race than expected'

Rob Parsons comments on the York and North Yorkshire race where they will be going to the polls for the first time on Thursday to vote for a #MetroMayor .

Are Labour set to pull off an upset by winning the mayoralty in Tory-dominated York and North Yorkshire?

With the contest between Keane Duncan for Mayor and David Skaith on a knife-edge, I've got this *spicy* quote from a local Conservative...

Today's Northern Agenda thenorthernagenda.co.uk

Only 48 hours to go until people head to the polls in the 10 places electing a #MetroMayor ⏰

Don't miss today's event with:

🟢 Dave Hill | OnLondon
🟢 Kate Knowles | Birmingham Dispatch
🟢 Rob Parsons | The Northern Agenda

Register below 👇
loom.ly/5If8Fik

'Leigh, how do you feel about writing tomorrow's splash? You can take a break from Teesside stuff for a day...'

Breaking:

Yougov poll suggests there is a world in which Tories could hold *both* West Midlands and Tees Valley mayoralties - but it is very, very tight

Houchen is narrowly ahead in Tees Valley

Street is only just ahead in West Mids but Yougov says it's within margin of error…

- Labour party to kill the phrase 'levelling up' if it wins the general election

- but internal debate still taking place over what phrase to use instead

- 'Levelling-Up Department' likely to revert to its old name of 'Communities, Local Government and Housing' aka the Ronseal…

North Yorkshire mayoral hopeful Keane Duncan says he'll create a Mayoral Development Corporation to help buy and do up Scarborough's Grand Hotel...

Will it be more transparent and accountable than the controversial South Tees Development Corporation up the coast in Redcar?

In today's Northern Agenda: Five local (but not mayoral) elections to watch in our region, courtesy of LGIU

Sign up to the daily email newsletter at thenorthernagenda.co.uk for politics news and analysis from the North of England

Graphic by Marianna Longo

📰Political parties are dressing their election leaflets up to look like local newspapers and try to fool voters...

On the Northern Agenda podcast Jonathan Carr-West of LGIU tells me why it's so damaging.

Full episode here: podfollow.com/the-northern-a…

Very useful and interesting thread here...

Yikes...New polling from More in Common just dropped and it looks like the North East mayoral election is going to be TIGHT

Kim McGuinness and Mayor Jamie Driscoll just two points apart

AND: Reform UK's candidate outpolling the Conservatives (as in Greater Manc)

moreincommon.org.uk/our-work/resea…

📰Political parties are dressing their election leaflets up to look like local newspapers and try to fool voters...

On the Northern Agenda podcast Jonathan Carr-West of LGIU tells me why it's so damaging.

Full episode here: podfollow.com/the-northern-a…

Jonathan Carr-West talking about the contests to keep an eye on next week. You can read our full guide here #localgov #LE24 lgiu.org/publication/on…

RUBBLE TROUBLE!

Teesworks row rumbles on as Steve Gibson puts the boot in! Here's today's The Northern Agenda cartoon...

shareyourstories.live/northern-agend…

#Teesworks #MiddlesbroughFC #UTB #Boro

Today we’re publishing our latest joint report with our partners ⁦Child of the North urging govt to rocket-boost children’s mental health support through schools. 👇👇 centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/ca…

This week on The Northern Agenda podcast:

- Andy Lock from Coalfields Regeneration Trust on how the North's ex-mining towns can thrive
- Jonathan Carr-West of LGIU on the ones to watch in May 2's local elections

Have a listen!

podfollow.com/the-northern-a…

A Parliamentary report about freeports published today tells Michael Gove he must direct the National Audit Office to “scrutinise the expenditure of public funds” associated with Teesworks.

yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/…