| It's been at the centre of political life in central London for centuries - but could the House of Lords really be moved temporarily to Sunderland, Burnley or Stoke-on-Trent? That was the debate in Parliament's second chamber yesterday after it emerged that Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove had written to the Lord Speaker with alternative locations in the North and Midlands during planned refurbishment works. There was less than fulsome support for the Cabinet minister by his frontbench colleague in the Lords, Lord True, who told peers that Mr Gove was "always inventive" and made clear any future decamp was a matter for Parliament. And questioning on whose authority Mr Gove had contacted the Lord Speaker, Grimsby-born Tory peer Lord Cormack said: "Was he speaking for the Government and if so does he not realise this is not a matter for the Government or was this just another freelance exercise by an intellectual flibbertigibbet?"  Could the House of Lords be moving up North? Graphic by Lisa Walsh
It is not the first time ministers have suggested moving the unelected chamber, where the Government does not have a majority, with York previously mentioned as a possible home during the multibillion-pound renovation of the crumbling Palace of Westminster. Independent crossbencher and leading lawyer Lord Carlile of Berriew, who was brought up in Burnley, told yesterday's debate: "We are one Parliament, not two, and therefore dividing the two Houses would be a very adverse and unconstitutional act. Therefore, if he (Mr Gove) wants Parliament to be in Burnley it should be both Houses and not one." In Sunderland and Burnley, the Labour leaders of the local councils told The Northern Agenda they were suspicious about whether such a move would ever get off the ground. Sunderland leader Graeme Miller said he hoped the idea was "more than just Michael Gove flying a kite". He added: "If this was a genuine attempt, even if it was only for a temporary time whilst the Houses of Parliament are being renovated and remodelled we would clearly look at that and I would love that to come to Sunderland. I've got no problem with it. But like everything with this government, you need to wait to hear about the detail of it." Meanwhile Burnley leader Afrasiab Anwar was equally sceptical, saying "we all know this is never going to happen", but said: "We would welcome the Lords moving to Burnley to show what the North has to offer. An ideal place would be further development and investment around the historic Weavers Triangle." 
 Caesar crossing the Rubicon in 49BC, as depicted in a 19th century French painting. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Earlier this year, Michael Gove was mocked for including potted histories of Ancient Rome and Renaissance Europe in his levelling up plan. Clearly undeterred, Mr Gove was at it again yesterday - batting off suggestions he was like Emperor Nero 'fiddling while Rome burns' when it comes to levelling up, writes Westminster Editor Dan O'Donoghue. "We are like Julius Caesar, we have crossed the Rubicon...this Bill will be on the statute book in this parliamentary session", he said much to the amusement of backbench MPs. Less amused was Mr Gove's Labour shadow, Lisa Nandy, who blasted the Government for failing to grasp the scale of the challenge faced by many local authorities in the North. Tearing into the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, published last week, the Wigan MP said: "Local economies are on the verge of collapse, surely he recognises how absurd it is that all we've had in the last week is the promise of an al fresco dining revolution and powers to rename mayors".
Elsewhere in the Commons, a Labour MP claimed schools across the North are in such a poor state of disrepair they are a "risk to life". Shadow education secretary and Sunderland MP Bridget Phillipson said many facilities had been left "crumbling" after 12 years of Conservative Government. She said: "Of course there are challenges which every country faces, and there are the challenges bequeathed by the pandemic and its legacy. But there are also the challenges brought to us by 12 years of Conservative failure, and what they all have in common is that every single one of them is a challenge from which this Government flinches."
Tributes to 'our voice of the North' Kay Mellor  Kay Mellor wears her OBE at Buckingham Palace following the investiture ceremony in 2010
West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin was among those paying tribute this morning to Leeds-born television writer Kay Mellor after her death at 71. Ms Mellor, who wrote hit series including ITV's Girlfriends, Band of Gold and The Syndicate and was also known for penning series including Fat Friends, died on Sunday. Labour mayor and former actress Ms Brabin tweeted: "Just dreadful news & difficult to take in. Sending all our love from everyone in #westyorkshire to Kay's family, friends & colleagues. Our voice of the North, she put working class characters at the centre of her brilliant compassionate, moving & funny stories. Such a loss."
'Why are bus services being cut when we need them more than ever?'  Gateshead is one of the areas where Go North East bus cuts will kick in
It's been a tough time for bus passengers in the North East of late. Routes in Newcastle and North Tyneside were the subject of cutbacks earlier this year and now bus users in County Durham, Gateshead, Sunderland, South Tyneside, and parts of the Tyne Valley in Northumberland are set to have their services scaled back too. Go North East has announced proposed changes to dozens of services across the region, which it expects to introduce in July, writes Local Democracy Reporter Dan Holland. It had been hoped that the decision to reduce more services would be put on hold until October, after the Government bowed to pressure to extend Covid emergency grant funding until then. But Go North East said it was "at the point where it's clear some services won't recover to the point of being viable without changes or external support". Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon, chair of the North East Joint Transport Committee, said: "It isn't clear to me why Go North East are proposing to make such widespread cuts at a time when we need buses more than ever."
Writing exclusively for The Northern Agenda today, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps sets out how he is "absolutely determined" to reverse the decline of local bus services. In places like London and Harrogate, he writes, "passengers enjoy fast, frequent, clean buses in dedicated lanes". But "in far too many cities and towns, services are poor and patronage is declining". For the full piece scroll to the bottom of this email.
Gay footballer helps put Lancashire club 'at forefront of progressive change'  Jake Daniels made his Championship debut for Blackpool this month (image by Sky Sports)
The "bravery" of Blackpool footballer Jake Daniels was being lauded by the likes of Prime Minister Boris Johnson this morning after the 17-year-old came out as gay. Daniels, who signed his first professional contract with Blackpool in February and made his Championship debut earlier this month, became the first British man in the professional game to come out publicly since Justin Fashanu in 1990. A fascinating perspective on the announcement comes from Sean Mcginlay, Blackpool FC Writer at LancsLive, who writes that under its previous owners the Oyston family the club he covers "was backwards in mentality, immoral to the extreme and vividly a basket case that brought shame to itself, its fanbase and its community". But he writes: "Now, with Jake Daniels, the incumbent ownership and staff, Blackpool Football Club is at the forefront of progressive change with the brave and courageous actions of a youngster determined to make life easier for so many." In a message to the club, "who have protected a young talent and helped him to find himself and his voice," Sean writes: "You have led the path for others to follow". "And to [head coach] Neil Critchley, his staff and his players who have created a dressing room environment that is progressive, open and welcoming to anyone, that is more special than any three points on a Saturday could ever be."
In Parliament yesterday, two of the Conservatives' 2019 intake of 'red wall' Northern MPs were among those lobbying the Government to strengthen proposals to ban conversion therapy. The proposed legislation will seek to ban "disgusting, outdated" practices that attempt to change someone's sexual orientation in certain scenarios. But the Conversion Therapy Bill will not protect transgender people and it will only ban the practices for over-18s "who do not consent and who are coerced or forced to undergo" them. Critics believe the "giant loopholes" in the Bill mean the lives of many LGBT people will remain at risk. Dehenna Davison, MP for Bishop Auckland in County Durham, said she will continue to engage with the Government to ensure the "right legislation" is delivered to outlaw the "abhorrent" practice and protect everyone. And Redcar MP Jacob Young said: "I speak as a gay Christian who can't wait for this Government to finally outlaw conversion therapy. Everyone, LGBT or otherwise, deserves to grow up and grow old being who they are without the threat of disgusting, outdated, and hopefully soon to be criminal practices, labelled as conversion therapy."
Burn-out fear for staff at sharp end of North's health services  Dr Abdul Mannan, who runs Hazel Valley surgery in Rossendale, Lancashire
A leading Lancashire GP fears there is no light at the end of the tunnel for the profession with colleagues quitting in their droves amid reports of burnout and unmanageable workloads. Dr Abdul Mannan also hit out against ongoing "anti-GP rhetoric" in the media and from politicians, which he says misrepresents the structural challenges facing general practice. It comes as a campaign group has warned of "a workforce emergency" caused by unmanageable workloads, abuse and a crisis in mental health. Haslingden GP Dr Mannan, clinical director for Rossendale West Primary Care Network, told LancsLive the country has undergone a "historic underinvestment" in primary care compared to the likes of Denmark, Germany or Finland, and has predicted a "two-tier" general practice service similar to dentistry within a decade. Dr Mannan, who says his list size has grown by almost 30% despite the loss of a partner, said inaccurate rhetoric – fuelled by certain national newspapers – is actually exacerbating the problem. "My own nephew decided to quit, simply because of the negativity they're coming across. Just in east Lancs I can give you at least a dozen stories of colleagues leaving the profession. They're burnt out, and it's a thankless job that people are doing."
Meanwhile councillors have been told that care workers who provide lifeline services to Teessiders at home are "burnt out" as a recruitment crisis continues. Stockton-on-Tees councillors were warned carers who visited homes were exhausted after more than two years working through the pandemic – with sickness absence up this year. Councils commission care at home services across their patches. But Stockton's latest adult social care and health select committee heard how the existing geography used in the borough to map out care "wasn't working as it should do" because of the lack of capacity among staff. Council official Martin Skipsey said: "The impact of covid has had a massive impact on staff welfare in care at home."
All change in North Yorkshire as Conservative majority is slashed  Selby in North Yorkshire (image by Pete Harbour)
After years of Conservative domination it's all change in North Yorkshire as councillors prepare for a new era in local politics for England's largest county. With 43 seats between them, newly-appointed leaders of the Independent, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green groups said they intended to work with the Tories where possible, but would also offer stiffer opposition than the Conservatives have faced at County Hall in Northallerton for many years. The Tories have just one more than the minimum number of councillors required for a majority after the local elections, and so if a few Conservatives miss meetings due to being ill or on holiday, the administration stands the possibility of its own proposals not being approved, writes Local Democracy Reporter Stuart Minting. Taking over as Labour group leader, Selby councillor Steve Shaw-Wright said following initial discussions, the Tory leadership appeared to be "more in the giving vein than they used to be" and more "community, social-focused rather than just money". He said: "As they haven't got a massive majority any more they have to be fighting fit at every meeting." Meanwhile the seven district and borough councils in the county are to have their biggest powers stripped away next week, some 11 months before being dissolved and a unitary council being formed. In a move by the government which political commentators have claimed is aimed at preventing controversial spending, particularly of councils' reserves, any major financial decisions by second tier authorities will need to receive approval from the county council's executive.
In Greater Manchester, the battle for Stockport Town Hall has ramped up another notch with Lib Dem chief Mark Hunter confirming he will stand against Labour's Elise Wilson at a crunch meeting later this week. The Lib Dems, already the largest group on the council, emerged from the local elections with three more councillors than Labour, who have run the town hall since 2016, writes Local Democracy Reporter Nick Statham. Although not enough to give the Lib Dems a majority on the 63-seat council, it increases their number to 28 while Labour remain static on 25. Now Cllr Hunter has written to councillors of all parties 'accepting that mandate' and declaring his group is 'ready to step up' and take on responsibility for the council. 
Sign up to The Northern Agenda Has a friend forwarded you this edition of The Northern Agenda? You can sign up to receive the latest email newsletter direct to your inbox every weekday by clicking on this link.  Northern Stories  Northern Roots Visitor Centre. Photo: Jddk Architects and Oldham Communities.
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Plans for the UK's biggest urban farm and eco-park in Oldham which bosses hope will attract 100,000 visitors a year have been lodged. The first major phase of the Northern Roots project, which focuses on the top half of the 160-acre site in Snipe Clough, has been submitted for planning approval. It will include a visitor centre, with spaces for events and meetings and a café and shop, as well as a learning centre, forestry depot and solar panels. -
A £150 million facility which turns residual waste into renewable gas is set to be established on the Teesworks industrial site at Redcar, it was announced today. Circular Fuels Ltd will take non-recyclable residual waste from households and industry and convert it into renewable dimethyl ether, a safe, cost-effective and clean burning fuel. Announcing the move today, Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said the plant will create more than 200 jobs during construction, with more than 50 direct skilled roles and more in the supply chain coming when it begins its operations in 2024. -
Wakefield's Parliamentary by-election is set to be held on June 23, the same day as a vote for an MP in the Devon constituency of Tiverton and Honiton. Tory chief whip, Chris Heaton-Harris, is expected to move the writ — a formal process effectively triggering a by-election — today. The by-election in Wakefield follows the resignation of the former Tory MP Imran Ahmad Khan, who was convicted last month at Southwark Crown Court of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. -
A county councillor has raised concerns about an unusual increase in drug-related crime in a quiet Northumberland town. Ian Hutchinson, who represents Haltwhistle, raised the issue at Tynedale Local Area Committee. He told Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness: "Haltwhistle has been one of the safest areas in all of England, but recently there's been quite a few problems." -
An ex-councillor convicted of child sex abuse has been jailed for 12 years. David Smith, of Middlesbrough, was found guilty following a trial at Teesside Crown Court last month of 11 charges of inciting or engaging in sexual activity with a child. The offences dated back more than a decade, reports the BBC. Smith, 33, represented the Coulby Newham ward on Middlesbrough council but resigned from the Conservative Party and council following his arrest. -
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority officials are bidding to open trade relations with South Korea. Representatives of the authority will next week travel to the country's second largest city, Busan, which is also home to the world's sixth largest port. The UK-Republic of Korea Innovation Twins Programme is a UK government-backed programme to build relationships at a city region level. 
Opinion By Grant Shapps I'm determined to reverse the decline of North's bus services  Grant Shapps is Transport Secretary and Northern Powerhouse Minister
In 1285 in Ockham, Surrey, a monk called William was born. The humble theologian proffered that "Entities are not to be multiplied without necessity." In plain English, this defines that for the most part, the solution to a problem is usually the simplest one. For many people across this country, getting on with simplifying journeys was one of the reasons why they backed this Government in such huge numbers. Connecting people and the places they frequent every day is crucial. It's the difference between being able to pop out to pick up some milk and having to plan your day around your travel arrangements. Well, we're in government to get people where they need to go, and to make those trips as green and easy as possible. I've explained elsewhere why we're pressing ahead with ambitious plans for roads, transport decarbonisation, walking and cycling. I've talked at length about our largest ever £96 billion rail investment to transform train connections across the North and Midlands. And recently, I set out how we'd be spending £7 billion to level up transport services around the country, in particular, buses. Buses are the beating heart of our transport system. The service that most of us rely on to make the regular journeys that matter most in our lives, also happen to be the simplest. Before the pandemic, we were taking 4 billion bus journeys a year - more than twice as many as trains. But I am all too aware that the quality of bus provision across England varies markedly. In London, Harrogate and Brighton for example, passengers enjoy fast, frequent, clean buses in dedicated lanes. Operators and local transport authorities work in harmony, and as a result, huge numbers of car owners have gone back to taking the bus. But in far too many cities and towns, services are poor and patronage is declining. We are absolutely determined to reverse that decline, so in future years the bus can become the natural choice for the vast majority of local journeys in and around our towns and cities.  Metro mayors in areas like Greater Manchester have called for more bus funding
The programme we have just announced will see 31 counties, city regions and unitary authorities receiving funding to vastly improve local bus services. Including earlier awards, just under two-thirds of England's population outside London will receive new investment to make buses more frequent, more reliable, cheaper and greener. Areas set to benefit from Bus Service Improvement investment include Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and the North East, which together have been awarded almost £330 million. York, Warrington, Blackburn with Darwen and North East Lincolnshire will also receive a share to boost local buses. On top of this funding, I confirmed £5.7 billion for England's eight city regions – including five in the North. Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Tees Valley and Liverpool will get funding to level-up bus, tram, walking and cycling networks. The money will help deliver, amongst other things, a new mass transit network in West Yorkshire, and a flat fare on buses in Greater Manchester. Predictably, some northern mayors complained that the funding wasn't as much as they'd asked for. I understand they are fighting for as much investment as possible for their communities – indeed, this is one of the reasons why we created the new Mayoral Authorities. But they must recognise that we are providing £3 billion of new money for buses over the course of this parliament – a huge sum at a tough time for public finances – and we have carried through our promise to fund those areas with the best plans for their bus networks. Although Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester says he wants more money, we're delivering £94.8 million for the region's Bus Service Improvement Plan, and over £1 billion to help him boost local transport, including a new interchange in Bury, new electric buses, new bus lanes and junctions, and improvements to fares, ticketing and bus passenger information. Grant Shapps is Transport Secretary and Northern Powerhouse Minister. 
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