Tom Burgess

The families moving hundreds of miles to County Durham for a home Councils say a lack of housing in London means they have to move people to north-east England.

🚨Hundreds of people, the exact number is unclear, have been relocated to County Durham over the last few years due to the growing homelessness and housing crisis in London. There is worry some relocated families may be getting ‘no support at all’.

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

Currently - Someone Else's Problem: Exporting the Housing Crisis - BBC Sounds What happens when homeless families from London are rehoused in the North East?

Amazing to hear my work with Charlotte McDonald about families being relocated from London to County Durham played on BBC Radio 4 this afternoon!

Have a listen!

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Wingate home left empty since 1982 - BBC News Kathleen and Tom Wilson say their neighbour, who left in 1982, had no electricity or running water.

Following an article I wrote about thousands of empty homes in the North East I was contacted by a couple who have been living next to a crumbling property for 42 years.

They have repeatedly been promised solutions but they never materialised.

Read the story here:

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

Can’t quite believe today was my first day as a reporter at BBC North East. It’s a dream come true!

bbc logo on a white background with a gray gradient ALT: bbc logo on a white background with a gray gradient

🚨Personal news!

Today was my last day at The Northern Echo after nearly two years. It’s been an incredible journey with some brilliant people but it is time for a new adventure.

I will be joining the BBC North East team as a reporter at the end of the month!

Proud to be shortlisted for the Regional Press Awards Top Scoop for a second time running - a shame not to win! A wonderful day with amazing people.

Who are the most popular kings and queens since 1066?

1. Elizabeth II: +74 net score
2. Victoria: +50
3. George VI: +40
4. Elizabeth I: +36
5. George V: +30
6. Richard the Lionheart: +29
7. Charles III: +27
8. Edward VII: +14

Full list in chart 👇

yougov.co.uk/society/arti...

'Absolutely tragic': North East alcohol related deaths more than double London rate The number of alcohol related deaths in the North East per 100,000 is more than double the rate in London

Latest ONS data on alcohol related deaths is grim reading for the North East. The death rate per 100,000 is more than double that of London.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2491256...

Latest ONS figures on alcohol-specific deaths are awful - numbers in the North East now way above everywhere else, with a rate now well over double that of London

NEW: Last year we reported 55 homeless children had died while living in temporary accommodation in 4 yrs.

We reported that TA deaths were likely much higher because data collection was not routine.

Now, new research shows between Oct 23-Sept 24, 80 children died in TA. www.itv.com/news/2024-03...

I’ve finally got round to reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

Only 100 pages in but I’m gripped!

Delighted to start my fellowship with the @johnschofieldtrust.bsky.social this year. 🎉

I’m over the moon to have been paired with BBC Special Correspondent @judithmoritz.bsky.social

"We feel invaded": County Durham residents who discovered convicts next door Stanley residents have expressed their frustration at being unable to stop convicts being housed next door

🚨Quick morning read here - Stanley residents were horrified to discover that convicts had been moved onto their street.

There was no planning permission needed and nothing they could do to stop it.

Local MP Luke Akehurst has said he is ‘very concerned’.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2485899...

North East man describes 'apocalyptic' Los Angeles fires as he is evacuated Middlesbrough man describes experiences being evacuated from his apartment in Los Angeles

I spoke to Paul Barron from Middlesbrough this afternoon about his experiences being evacuated from his home in Los Angeles.

He described standing on the roof of his apartment block looking at fire and smoke obscuring the sky - like ‘the apocalypse’.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2484558...

Nearly 15,000 households being rehomed 'missing' from Government records The Government is 'missing' data on where nearly 15,000 households have been placed in

EXC: The Government are ‘missing’ data on where nearly 15,000 households in need of emergency accommodation have been placed.

The Ministry of Housing have confirmed that work is being done to ‘rectify’ the situation. (1/2)

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2480148...

Politicians and charity leaders 'horrified' over 'missing' homelessness data North East politicians and charity leaders have reacted with "shock" to the news nearly 15,000 households are missing from Government…

I spoke to MPs @marykfoymp.bsky.social, Grahame Morris who were horrified at the lack of information.

Charity leaders like Chris Bailey at Action on Empty Homes described how it could ‘hide a number of other disgraces’. (2/2)

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2481495...

Nearly 15,000 households being rehomed 'missing' from Government records The Government is 'missing' data on where nearly 15,000 households have been placed in

EXC: The Government are ‘missing’ data on where nearly 15,000 households in need of emergency accommodation have been placed.

The Ministry of Housing have confirmed that work is being done to ‘rectify’ the situation. (1/2)

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2480148...

Finally, massive shoutout to @tomburgess8.bsky.social who has done brilliant work on the ground in County Durham exposing this shocking practice, which even led to Angela Rayner intervening on the issue.

(6/6)

English councils pay millions to move homeless families out of big cities Guardian analysis reveals families often given little notice to relocate to already deprived communities far away with no extra support

EXC: Councils are paying millions to relocation firms to help them permanently move homeless families out of big cities.

They are often moved to smaller, deprived towns in the Midlands and north of England.

(1/6)

www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

English councils pay millions to move homeless families out of big cities Guardian analysis reveals families often given little notice to relocate to already deprived communities far away with no extra support

Fantastic to see @theguardian.com reporting on the scandal of homeless families being moved around the country by local authorities.
@sammygecsoyler.bsky.social has done a brilliant job revealing the scale of the problem - kind to link to my stories too!

www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

Stunning mist at #Filey today - walking off the Christmas dinners!

Well done Liam! Your coverage of homelessness is an inspiration 👏

'Despicable': Homeless people being 'dumped' in North East from London Vulnerable people are being moved from London up to County Durham, The Northern Echo can reveal

🚨 Delighted to be shortlisted for Top Scoop at the Regional Press Awards for the second year running!

Lovely to see Phoebe Abruzzese shortlisted with me for Young Journalist of the Year and the Cathryn Nicholl award!

Read the scoop here:

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2456519...

a fireworks display is going off in the night sky . ALT: a fireworks display is going off in the night sky .

Delighted to have been awarded a distinction for my NQJ portfolio and finally be a senior reporter today!

In other welcome news I’ve been shortlisted for Top Scoop and Level 7 apprentice of the year in the @nctj.bsky.social awards!

Darlington mum-of-four battling cancer speaks of "hell" living in mouldy home A Darlington mum battling cancer has spoken of living in "hell" inside mouldy damp home

EXC: Darlington family became trapped in damp and mouldy home while mother battled cancer and youngest child caught pneumonia.

They described living in a ‘nightmare’ since May 2023.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2475744...

Tomorrow’s @thenorthernecho.bsky.social front page will be another horrifying housing story.

A family became trapped in private rented accommodation with water pouring in through the windows and mould growing everywhere.

The youngest child caught pneumonia and was hospitalised.

Are you currently living in poor North East temporary accommodation? Get in touch Are you currently living in poor temporary accommodation in the North East - please get in touch

Are you living in poor North East temporary accommodation? Get in touch!

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2474953...

There is a very worrying trend with asylum seekers being given right to remain and then ending up in dangerous situations. Horrifying but important work Liam

With the cold weather we have been having I wanted to ask if anyone in the North East is struggling with awful temporary housing - please get in touch.

One man reached out to me today with a mouldy house so bad he has to keep his belongings in one room.

My email is tom.burgess@newsquest.co.uk

Timeline of The Northern Echo investigation into families moved to County Durham Here is a full timeline of The Northern Echo investigation into families being moved hundreds of miles up to County Durham

For anybody interested I created a timeline of my investigation into London councils moving families hundreds of miles up to the North East.

It’s been horrifying talking to families in the worst situations who have been completely abandoned.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2473846...