A lot has changed since the starting point, with the election of a mayor in 2017, ongoing regeneration of the former Redcar steel works (now Teesworks), the nationalising of an airport, the Teesworks Review, and the organisation now finding itself under a Best Value Notice, to name just a handful.

Local councils (like Middlesbrough and Stockton) are a necessity in this country – they have statutory duties including providing social care, while more visible services include bin collections.

In comparison, combined authorities could be described as a nicety  – approximately half the country survives without a metro mayor, although the government is committed to the mayoral model and there will be an expansion of combined authorities in the coming years.

So the big question is has the combined authority been a net good?

At times it has found itself embroiled in controversy, recently incapable of fulfilling its duties to get its accounts signed off by auditors.

However, having a mayor for the region has certainly brought more attention to Tees Valley, the region hosts the UK’s largest freeport, and TVCA works with partners on transport projects, including hundreds of millions pumped into train stations across the patch, part funded by the combined authority. 

Who’s in charge?

When the combined authority was brought into existence 10 years ago, it didn’t have a directly elected leader.

In fact it operated for just over a year without a metro mayor, until May 2017, when Conservative then-Councillor Ben Houchen narrowly defeated leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council, Labour’s Sue Jeffrey, to the post, with an underwhelming 21.3 per cent turnout. In Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, less than one in five eligible voters cast a ballot on the matter. 

Mayor Houchen was re-elected with a huge majority in 2021 and with a comfortable lead again in 2024, surviving the anti-Conservative swing that continued into the general election just two months later.

Tees Valley residents continue to not pay a mayoral precept, which can be introduced by regional mayors.

What does TVCA want to achieve?

Initial ambitions reported back in 2016 (prior to Mayor Houchen’s tenure) for the combined authority included a new Tees crossing, which hasn’t happened yet, electrification of the Teesport to Northallerton rail line, which hasn’t happened yet, as well as A66 and A19 improvements, where work has been done, but a lot still remains to do – the two roads still regularly cause headaches for drivers to this day.

In its own words, TVCA’s website currently says its purpose is to secure investment, create jobs and grow the economy.

While being a combined authority gives the region financial benefits, TVCA does not yet have an integrated settlement, which would translate to greater funding powers, seen in “established” combined authorities.

Even though TVCA has been in existence longer than its neighbour to the north – the North East Combined Authority – which has been conferred top tier “established” status, the government confirmed in early 2025 that TVCA did not meet the criteria for receiving the higher level status. 

This is due to the Tees Valley Review – which looked into Teesworks – and the resulting Best Value Notice.

While the review found no evidence of corruption or illegality, there was a list of 28 recommendations, most of which applied to the combined authority, along with some scathing remarks during the wider report. 

Employment and wages

Data from Nomis, who provide labour market statistics on behalf of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shows the levels of people who are currently in employment across Tees Valley, including both employees and self-employed.

In the final year before TVCA was established, April 2015 to March 2016, a total of 68.8 per cent of the eligible population (16-64 year olds) were in employment in the combined authority area. This compared to 69.5 per cent in the North East and 73.7 per cent nationally.

In the most recent measure available online, taken between October 2024 and September 2025, the percentage of those in employment across Tees Valley has risen to 70.4 per cent, overtaking the wider North East, which has an in-employment rate of 70.3 per cent. The greatest rise has been the national (GB) figure, which is up to 75.6 per cent.

Average (mean) pay statistics across Tees Valley, available from the ONS, shows that ‘pay as you earn’ employees are still earning significantly less than the UK average, as was the case a decade ago.

Across the country, the average monthly pay in March 2016 was £2,247, compared to £1,922 in Tees Valley at the same time. Fast forward 10 years to the latest figures from January 2026, and monthly wages averaged £3,461 across the UK, compared to £2,878 in Tees Valley. 

The view from the mayor

In the context of TVCA celebrating its tenth birthday, Mayor Houchen was asked what his highlight and lowlight had been over the past decade.

He said there have been “lots of highlights” and “wouldn’t necessarily want to pick one” but said: “For me personally, the work that’s going on at Teesworks, [and] the corner the airport is now turning.”

He said “freight” developments as well as progress made over the last 12 months will make a “very significant difference” to the airport’s fortunes in the long term.

As for the flip side of the question, he asked himself: “Do I have any lowlights? No, I don’t think I do. Enjoyed it all. It’s hard, not always easy, but I don’t regret any of it,” adding: “If I had my time again, there isn’t a single decision I would have taken differently.”

The three-day gig at Wireless feels like another box-tick on a public rehabilitation tour. Despite all the handwringing from the political right over ‘cancel culture’, it’s clear that, if you’re famous enough, you can say anything, do anything, and still rise to the top of entertainment (or politics) if enough people in your entourage stand to benefit. A three-day festival is less pressure than an international tour, but it’s in a field, not a venue set up to manage the crowds a popular and controversial figure will draw. Wireless has been silent on how it will ensure the safety of a vulnerable headliner — and failed to reassure locals that extra safeguards will be in place.

Emergency services, including armed police and the dogs unit, were called to Stand Lane on Monday, March 30, after receiving reports of a disturbance at around 2.15pm.

Pictures and videos, taken by Phil Taylor, showed armed police outside Sunflower Massage, and a woman, who claimed to be the landlady of the building, said she received a call from a person alerting her of a police presence.

Counter-terrorism police were initially said to be involved with the incident, before Greater Manchester Police confirmed it was not terror-related.

READ MORE ON THIS:

(Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

Police were called to incident on Stand Lane, Radcliffe (Image: SWNS/Phil Taylor)

Motorists faced disruption throughout the day as Bury Council told drivers to “find alternative routes”, with Stand Lane closed both ways from Radcliffe New Road to Thornley Street.

A reporter at the scene said a number of police gathered around the front of the shop before a “loud bang followed by a rush of police officers” led to a person being taken out and put in a van.

After “negotiations” with a suspect inside the property, Greater Manchester Police said a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats with a bladed article.

The force has now confirmed that Ben Mason, 26, of Bury, has been charged with two counts of breaching the Public Order Act and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

He will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on July 27.

A giant Seychelles tortoise, believed to be the world’s oldest living land animal, is alive and well after claims he had died turned out to be part of an alleged crypto scam.

Posts emerged on Wednesday claiming Jonathan, who is thought to be 193 years old according to the official website devoted to him, was dead.

Reports of his demise were posted on X by the account @JoeHollinsVet, named after Joe Hollins, a vet who has taken care of Jonathan and previously spoken of his experiences.

The message read that he was “heartbroken” to announce that the “beloved” creature “has passed away today peacefully”.

Describing himself as Jonathan’s “vet for many years”, he said: “Rest easy, old friend. You’ll be missed more than words can say” and later thanked people “for the outpouring of love for Jonathan as we mourn his passing”.

But the Friends of the British Overseas Territories, quoting the island’s governor, Nigel Phillips, said “the real Joe Hollins does not have an X account, and that Jonathan the tortoise is alive. This account is soliciting crypto donations, has recently changed its username”.

Mr Phillips “has confirmed Jonathan Tortoise is alive and well – he has just checked on him”, he added.

In a post on Facebook, Mr Hollins commented on a screen grab of the X post, saying it was “a hoax” and “not even an April Fool”.

He wrote that: “IT IS NOT TRUE. The hoaxer is asking for crypto donations. It’s a con. Please forward guys because this has spread. Even our researcher friends in the US unravelling his DNA have just sent condolences.”

There was a good deal of negative reaction to the original X post, with one commenter calling it a “nice prank, you scam artist”, while another said “he’s alive, you plonker”, and a third simply told the account it had been “BUSTED”.

Jonathan, who lives on the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic, “is believed to be the world’s oldest living land animal”, the website says, while admitting “we don’t actually know his exact age”.

His home is in the grounds of Plantation House, the residence of the Governor of St Helena, an exclusive address he shares with three other giant tortoises, named Emma, David and Fredrik.

Read more on Sky News:
Barbie event issues refunds
Why storm may be named ‘Elon Gust’

The website says it is “generally accepted” is one of three giant tortoises brought to the island in the 18th and 19th centuries and was named in the 1930s.

St Helena was discovered by Portugal in 1502, before being claimed by Britain after they arrived on the island in 1659. It has remained British ever since.

Running from 10am to 4pm, the free showcase will bring together a wide range of exhibitors, model ship displays, and maritime artefacts.

Ship Ahoy!, a one-day, family-friendly event celebrating Scotland’s maritime heritage, will take place at Coatbridge’s Summerlee Museum on April 25.

Running from 10am to 4pm, the free showcase will bring together a wide range of exhibitors, model ship displays, and maritime artefacts, offering an engaging and educational day out for visitors of all ages.

Visitors can explore displays from across the maritime and heritage sectors, including ship models, historical material, and interactive exhibits designed to appeal to both enthusiasts and families alike.

To make access even easier, a vintage MacBrayne shuttle bus will operate throughout the day, transporting visitors between Coatbridge Sunnyside railway station and Summerlee Museum, adding an extra touch of heritage to the visitor experience.

The event also forms part of wider celebrations marking significant milestones for Scotland’s maritime history, including the 80th anniversary of the launch of Paddle Steamer Waverley.

Paul Sweeney MSP, patron of Ship Ahoy!, expressed his excitement for the upcoming event, saying: “I am proud to have been appointed to serve as patron of Ship Ahoy!

READ MORE: Coatbridge school pupils benefit from new initiative aimed at boosting confidence and career opportunities

“This fantastic free annual event celebrates Scotland’s extraordinary maritime history, engineering excellence, and the vibrant communities that have built and sailed our ships over the last two centuries; from the Scots who first pioneered marine steam propulsion, to those who continue this great tradition today.

“Whether you are a ship model enthusiast, maritime historian, industry professional, or simply looking for a great family day out, Ship Ahoy! offers something for all those who share a passion for our island nation’s legendary history of marine navigation.

“I look forward to seeing the displays and meeting exhibitors and visitors on Saturday, April 25.”

Lu McNair, museums and collections manager at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We’re delighted to host the Ship Ahoy! event again this year at Summerlee Museum.

READ MORE: Brave Airdrie mum battling stage three bowel cancer can see ‘light at the end of the tunnel’

“The event is a highlight in the calendar at Summerlee and is loved by our visitors.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone again this year to celebrate maritime heritage, as well as enjoy our usual Summerlee fun.”

Ship Ahoy! is free to attend and open to all, making it an accessible and enjoyable day out for families, enthusiasts, and the local community.”

For more information, visit www.shipahoyshow.co.uk

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

BBC Sport joined the queue for World Cup tickets alongside the supporters on Wednesday at about 15:20 BST.

A holding message was in place, and at 16:00 this changed to a red circle with the message: “Almost there…”

By 17:00 a countdown clock had appeared. We were two minutes from the front when the time suddenly jumped back up to 15 minutes.

When we did gain access, we experienced the same technical glitch as thousands of fans.

Supporters who logged on early were wrongly directed into a queue for “PMA tickets”, reserved for fans of this week’s play-off winners.

Once through, users were sent to a page where a code was required to open up a sale for those fixtures.

By the time the mistake was realised, those supporters were forced to start again at the back of the correct virtual line. Any chance of securing a ticket for one of the more attractive matches had gone.

Fifa did not provide a reason for the error but said that by 17:00 the links were working properly.

Once back in the queue it took six hours and 14 minutes to be granted access to the ticket page.

Of the 72 group games, 35 matches were listed with tickets available – but there was no allocation for the England or Scotland games, or any of the knockout matches, by the time we made it through.

Across the 35 matches, prices ranged from $140 (£106) to $2,985 (£2,261). The average price of those displayed was $358 (£271).

The most expensive match seen was the first of the tournament between Mexico and South Africa at $2,985 (£2,261), with only a tiny proportion of the 87,000 capacity available.

Additionally, we were able to view corporate hospitality packages, including one for England v Panama which was $124,800 (£94,444) for a luxury suite with 24 match tickets, food and drink – $5,200 (£3,935) per person.

The availability of games appears to be changing all the time, and Fifa has indicated new tickets could be released for any game right up to kick-off.

By 08:00 on Thursday, 13 games were still showing – though six of these only had wheelchair companion tickets, which should not be sold to the general public.

Controversially, Fifa has not made free tickets available to the assistants of fans using wheelchairs. Tickets must be bought at full price and they may not be situated next to each other.

The USA’s opening game against Paraguay on 13 June had the most tickets still on sale, with 1,406 category one tickets priced at $2,735 (£2,072).

Canada’s first match against Bosnia-Herzegovina was the only other match with relatively good supply – 846 category one tickets still on sale at a cost of $2,240 (£1,697).

Fifa’s resale platform, which will likely bring even higher prices – with both buyer and seller charged a 15% fee – reopens on Thursday.

‘Communities want to move forward and see areas that reflect where we are today, not the past’

Work is under way to replace a contentious paramilitary mural in East Belfast. The mural featuring two UVF gunmen has been on the gable wall of a corner where Dee Street meets the Newtownards Road since 2011.

It’s understood the mural will be replaced by a new painting, featuring the image of Edward Carson, the Dublin-born unionist politician who led opposition to Home Rule.

The removal of the UVF mural and its replacement is part of a long-running project with the local community, including groups such as Northern Ireland Alternatives, and supported by the Executive Office’s Communities in Transition project.

READ MORE: Belfast council can do nothing to stop landlords bulk buying houses for HMOs, councillors toldREAD MORE: Padel centre, indoor golf course and £36m office block – the developments changing the face of Belfast

Work is under way to transform the mural, as it has now been painted over in preparation for the new artwork. The new mural is expected to be completed over the next few weeks.

The UVF mural featured two gunmen and a UVF badge, with the words ‘East Belfast Batt’ beside the words ‘We seek nothing but the elementary right implanted in every man – the right if you are attacked to defend yourself.’

Use our slider tool below to see before and after

East Belfast UUP MLA, Andy Allen, welcomed the decision to transform the mural, and said change works best when it is led by the community. However, he said community transition cannot stop at murals.

Mr Allen said: “This is a positive step for East Belfast and something many will welcome. Communities want to move forward and see areas that reflect where we are today, not the past.

“What’s important is that this has come through local agreement, and I would commend all involved. Change works best when it’s led by the community itself.

“Reimagining is important, but it must go hand in hand with real regeneration, investment, and a clear focus on building stronger, safer communities.

“That must also include, for example, properly recognising and investing in youth services. They are on the ground every day, supporting young people and providing a positive alternative to some who would seek to draw them into paramilitary and criminal activity.

“If we are serious about transition, it cannot stop at murals. It must be about creating real opportunities and giving people, especially young people, a better future.”

DUP leader Gavin Robinson described the transformation of the mural as a “positive step forward” that has been welcomed by the community.

He added: “It is a move which has support within the community and it is a visible representation of the progress and transition required in our society. I want to commend NI Alternatives who have helped bring forward several murals in Belfast and elsewhere over recent months.”

Northern Ireland Alternatives said the project has “unanimous support” from all sections of the loyalist community in the area. A spokesperson said: “Northern Ireland Alternatives in partnership with the East Belfast Memorial Committee and Legacy Network can confirm there has been agreement on the reimaging of the large Ulster Volunteer Force mural on the Newtownards Road.

“The work on this project will soon commence, and it represents the product of lengthy positive negotiation and discussion with all stakeholders in the area. This project has unanimous support from all sections of the loyalist community in East Belfast and we welcome the collaborative working and rebuilding of relationships which is at the core of delivering this outcome as part of the ongoing process of transition.

“Northern Ireland Alternatives would like to thank Communities in Transition, The Executive Office, for their support of this reimaging project.”

A spokesperson for The Executive Office said: “The reimaging of murals in local communities is part of the Executive Office’s Communities in Transition programme. These projects are community-led and aim to increase community confidence in the area and promote a more positive future, supporting the Executive’s wider work to tackle paramilitarism and organised crime.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here

Shortly before 9am, a silver Kia crashed on Wigan Road in Deane and brought down one of the traffic lights with it.

Images taken after the incident show the front bumper smashed in at one side with the lights and a bollard trapped underneath the car at the junction with Hulton Lane and Horsfield Street.

The crash happened on Wigan Road this morning (Image: Public)

Traffic was held up in both directions while the wreck was removed – but this happened quickly and the road was clear around an hour later.

Wigan Road has been the scene of a number of crashes in recent days – most notoriously the crash in January which killed four people.

But Cllr Ayyub Patel, of Rumworth, said this morning’s crash was not on a junction which is seen as an issue, with measures such as traffic lights already in place.

He said: “I would just advise drivers to be aware on the highway network and be mindful and respect pedestrians and other road users.”

Nasa’s Artemis II spacecraft has launched and is now orbiting Earth, where it will then head on to circle the Moon as part of a 10-day mission.

The crew onboard are “safe, secure and in great spirits”, according to a Nasa official.

Rebecca Morelle, the BBC’s science editor, was in Florida to watch the “spectacular” blast off.

Federal regulators have approved Eli Lilly’s new weight-loss pill, a second daily oral medication to treat obesity and other weight-related conditions.

The FDA granted expedited approval to orforglipron, a GLP-1 drug that works like widely used injectable medications to mimic a natural hormone that controls appetite and feelings of fullness.

The drug, which will be branded as Foundayo, is expected to begin shipping Monday.

The company said people with insurance may be able to get the drug starting at $25 per month with a Lilly discount card. Prices for people paying cash will range between $149 per month to $349 per month, depending on the dose.

The new pill joins drugmaker Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy pill, which has spurred more than 600,000 prescriptions in the United States since it was approved in December.

The FDA authorized Eli Lilly’s drug as part of a new program aimed at cutting drug approval times. The agency said it reviewed the company’s application in 50 days.

In a clinical trial of more than 3,000 adults with obesity, participants who received the highest dose of orforglipron, 36 milligrams, lost 11.2% of their body weight –- about 25 pounds on average –- over more than 16 months. That compared with a 2.1% weight loss, or less than 5 pounds, in patients who received a placebo, or dummy pill, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.

Both the Lilly and Novo Nordisk pills resulted in less weight loss than the average achieved with Lilly’s injectable Zepbound, which results in a 21% average weight loss, or Novo Nordisk’s injectable Wegovy, which averages about 15%.

Both once-daily pills promise convenience, but orforglipron is a small-molecule GLP-1 drug that can be taken without restrictions. The Wegovy pill, a peptide, must be taken with a sip of water in the morning on an empty stomach, with a 30-minute wait before eating or drinking.

Users of orforglipron also saw improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride levels and cholesterol levels, the study found.

Side effects, mostly gastrointestinal issues, led between 5% and 10% of participants in the orforglipron study to discontinue treatment, compared with nearly 3% in the placebo group.

About 1 in 8 people in the U.S. have used injectable GLP-1 drugs, according to a survey from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research group. But many more have trouble affording the costly shots.

The pill from Indianapolis-based Lilly will be included in a Trump administration deal to lower prices on GLP-1 drugs.