Ed Walker

The Lead North wins national journalism award Original reporting by The Lead praised by judges as we scoop newsletter prize at Press Gazette's Future of Media Awards

It’s been a very happy Friday at The Lead - as our journalism in the North of England has won a @pressgazette.co.uk award. Thank you to everyone who reads and supports The Lead and particularly our Northern titles.

Good news!📣

We’re delighted to tell you the in-depth local journalism we publish twice-a-week across the North of England is up for an award.

Press Gazette’s Future of Media Awards has seen The Lead North project shortlisted in the Best Journalism-Based Newsletters of 2025 (Specialist/Regional).

Today’s newsletter also gave me a chance to highlight how the main story from last week’s edition was lifted without credit by The S*n, including some blatant copy and pasting. That was then picked up by Mail Online… who linked back to The S*n (1/2)

ICYMI yesterday.

Tees Valley Combined Authority is currently under a best value notice because of concerns over value for money arrangements.

In March they spent £13,000 to send two staff members to the south of France who have returned with no evidence of any work done out there.

Thank you to @blogpreston.co.uk for sponsoring our Gentry Tifo. 💙

Businesses can support the campaign like they have.
Individuals can donate, add a loved one’s name, or play the scratchcard to help fund the tribute.

Donate: donate.stripe.com/28o7vN1W98d8...

Play: pne-online.net/scratchcard

Tragic death of little Ava could lead to changes in how pharmacists prescribe PLUS: Hopes that new hospitals in Lancashire could yet be brought forward

Ava was just two. This is incredibly sad but important reporting from @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social in our latest edition of The Lancashire Lead for @theleaduk.bsky.social

Councillor has unpaid council tax bill of £6,000 Plus: Employment Rights Bill, anti-fascists commemorated

In today's Teesside Lead...

EXCLUSIVE: An unnamed Stockton councillor has council tax arrears of nearly £6,000.

The council refuses to name them, citing safety concerns.

Save Southport Pier! Southport needs Southport Pier to be restored and reopened

And 126 people have so far signed our petition calling on the government to act
thelead.uk/save-southpo...

"We’ve lost those two years and the pier has deteriorated in that time" - Southport Pier campaign sees huge public meeting turnout and support Plus: Families of SEND children make respite care plea

There’s a demand for action by those in Southport who want their pier re-opened.

@jamielopez.bsky.social reports for the latest edition of The Southport Lead from the public meeting last week which was standing room only. @theleaduk.bsky.social

The troubled past, present and future of Eat Indian PLUS: Multiversity decision made and our recommendations for the week ahead

For four years, this Indian street food outlet has expanded across Lancashire. Recent troubles in Blackpool prompted us to look beyond the counter. Strong work from @lukebeardsworth.bsky.social and @jamielopez.bsky.social for the latest edition of The Blackpool Lead @theleaduk.bsky.social

Councillor pays council tax arrears after Teesside Lead investigation Plus: Tory councillor suspended for holocaust comparison and how much of £173m MoD contract will Teesside see (£)?

We continue to take a good look at whether councillors are paying their council tax (you’d be surprised how often it’s an issue). @leighsus.bsky.social latest edition of The Teesside Lead found out what’s happening in Hartlepool. @theleaduk.bsky.social

After two years of nothing, historic pub The George faces demolition Plus: Pay and display warning and the latest headlines across the town

The George pub dates back to a key time in Southport's growth as a town. It was supposed to be converted into a shop but for two years, it has been part demolished and seemingly left to rot.

This is the story of what caused that delay and what will happen next @theleaduk.bsky.social

Toxic assets: Housing association homes and shared ownership Leasehold concerns, sky-high service charges and strict sell-on rules. Inside the people becoming trapped from moving on and losing money after buying a shared ownership home.

New 📝 from me:

For @theleaduk.bsky.social I spoke to shared owners who can't sell their high-spec flats because of a legal clause that means they shoulder ALL the risk when the housing market dips.

Are these homes a "toxic asset"? You decide

national.thelead.uk/p/toxic-asse...

Labour's employment reforms could harm sick workers. Join our campaign for Safer Sick Pay now. The government's proposed sick pay changes could leave millions of hard-working people out of pocket when they fall ill

The government's proposed sick pay changes could leave millions of hard-working people out of pocket when they fall ill.

@zoegrunewald.bsky.social writes for The Lead…

Calderdale Wind Farm faces the winds of opposition as campaign launches for Parliamentary debate Plus: Is a tourist tax for Calderdale a good idea?

Our latest edition of The Calderdale Lead looks at a huge new windfarm planned. Plus Andrew Greaves asks whether a ‘tourist tax’ could be a boost to Calderdale (which is seeing booming tourism thanks to TV dramas) or a hindrance? @theleaduk.bsky.social

Half-a-job council? The story of adopted local landmark Brig Henge PLUS: Contamination drama from Wyre Council

The curious case of the Bamber Bridge Henge, or ‘The Brig Henge’. A very Lancashire story this!

Historic TVR building comes down - but there are plans to honour heritage PLUS: Fire hits a derelict hotel in Blackpool

Big companies and their buildings become very intertwined with a place. And a sense of place. Michael Holmes looks at the former TVR Factory in Blackpool for the latest edition of The Blackpool Lead for @theleaduk.bsky.social

Tories oppose Teesworks incinerator: 'Why should we breathe Geordie waste?' Plus: Hazardous incinerator waste disposed of incorrectly for four years, Amazon announce drone trial

Alongside Teesworks, it’s becoming clear that incinerators are also @leighsus.bsky.social specialist subject. Latest edition of The Teesside Lead for @theleaduk.bsky.social

After two years of nothing, historic pub The George faces demolition Plus: Pay and display warning and the latest headlines across the town

Another shuttered up pub standing empty. What future for The George? @jamielopez.bsky.social writes in the latest edition of The Southport Lead for @theleaduk.bsky.social

Toxic assets: Housing association homes and shared ownership Leasehold concerns, sky-high service charges and strict sell-on rules. Inside the people becoming trapped from moving on and losing money after buying a shared ownership home.

Great to have @hannahfearn.bsky.social diving into the troubling issue of shared-ownership and housing association properties for @theleaduk.bsky.social in our latest edition

Waste incinerator protestors to take fight to the streets Plus: Greens slam decision to cut council tax discount scheme

For a decade, the threat of a new waste incinerator has stood over Sowerby Bridge. Andrew Greaves reports for the latest edition of The Calderdale Lead about those who have continued to campaign to halt it. @theleaduk.bsky.social

Independent review underway at Blackpool Victoria Hospital as concerns raised over fetal medicine service PLUS: Poor performance at one Blackpool school

We have focused on Blackpool Victoria Hospital since the start of The Blackpool Lead. Michael Holmes reports on further concerns, focused on the maternity unit at the hospital for our weekend edition. @theleaduk.bsky.social

Royal Preston and Royal Lancaster pushed to the back of the new hospital queue PLUS: Tributes to human rights expert who died near Lancaster University

@lukebeardsworth.bsky.social digs into what’s happening, and looks at the political ramifications of the decision in our latest edition of The Lancashire Lead for
@theleaduk.bsky.social

The decision to push new hospitals for Lancashire back in the queue rather made a mockery of the consultation exercise which had been trumpeted earlier in the week (left hand, right hand etc etc).

A fowl situation: Deepdale chicken factory spends two decades breaching planning rules and is now applying to have them scrapped The Gafoor factory in Fletcher Road, Deepdale Pic: Blog Preston A chicken factory in Deepdale has been breaking operating rules for more than a decade have

After years of flaunting the regulations, the firm is applying to have them scrapped. Saying Town Hall planners have told them to do so, after an investigation following complaints by those nearby found no enforcement action would be taken.

The intolerable crisis of angry young men What will it take for the government to treat young male rage with the seriousness it requires? And our Southport Lead editor writes on this weeks sentencing.

Today's @theleaduk.bsky.social newsletter: on austerity, big tech and the intolerable crisis of angry young men

open.substack.com/pub/theleadu...

Looking at the Teesworks review one year on Plus: Boro FC legend's surprise TV appearance and (£) incinerator bidder sues council

Our weekend edition of The Teesside Lead sees @leighsus.bsky.social dive into his specialist subject - Teesworks. What’s happened since the government review?

Ben Houchen, the Clean Energy Sector Council and a misleading Tees Valley Combined Authority claim Plus: New hazardous waste incinerator to be approved + council fireworks display saved

In today's Teesside Lead...

The government has been forced to step in and correct TVCA after the authority sent a misleading press release claiming Ben Houchen had been "appointed" to a government council for green energy.

Southport won't be defined by evil attacks - nor will it forget them Plus: Beware those who seek to exploit this tragedy

It’s still difficult to comprehend what happened in Southport last summer. @jamielopez.bsky.social speaks to and for those in the town in our latest edition of The Southport Lead for @theleaduk.bsky.social

With some insights from this morning's @instituteforgov.bsky.social annual conference