The Latest Breaking News from Amanda Hopgood

Parents paid up to £5,000 a year to drive children to school as councils slash taxi bills

Number of families given cash for special needs transport doubles as local authorities battle soaring costs

Evening Standard · Jan 18

Durham in decline? Take another look, Benjamin Myers

Letters: Durham is a world heritage city and culture county that is changing fast, write Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Mary Kelly Foy MP and Prof Karen O’Brien

The Guardian - UK · Jul 17, 2024

Councils demand independent review of ‘arbitrary’ levelling up schemes

Boris Johnson’s 2019 policy faces accusation of being politicised and failing to tackle skills shortages

The Guardian - UK · Apr 3, 2024

County Durham wants to join North East devolution deal – but could yet be blocked by other councils

The county's coalition leadership has opted to try and join an 'LA7' devolution package, but it is thought that other council leaders harbour reservations

Chronicle Live · Oct 14, 2022

City of Culture bid 'just the beginning of County Durham's journey' with much more to come

Although Durham narrowly missed out to Bradford for UK City of Culture 2025, councillors insist that big things are still coming to the county

Chronicle Live · Jun 3, 2022

City of Culture 2025: how to watch results live as County Durham battles it out with Wrexham, Southampton, and Bradford

Durham is battling it out with Bradford, Southampton and Wrexham to bring home the coveted honour - after being shortlisted as one of just four finalists in March.

Chronicle Live · May 31, 2022