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It's great to see so much of our work having fed into this ground breaking Act. But now we must see: 💪 strengthening of its safeguards to help future-proof devolution 🗳️a more diverse local government, to bolster our democracy so decisions made for us are made by us.

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Accountability matters: Securing the future of devolution | IPPR

👉 IPPR North have long been pushing for proper, locally rooted accountability for mayoral authorities. The Act is confirmed to include Local Scrutiny Committees, ensuring that growing mayoral powers are matched by appropriate oversight. www.ippr.org/articles/acc...

ippr.org

England’s new mayors will join a group of highly visible leaders. But large-scale mayoral authorities are unfamiliar in England, and they will need to esta

The evolution of devolution: How the English devolution and community empowerment bill can go further | IPPR

👉Bringing forward fiscal devolution was one of our key asks of the government. Visitor levy was the first step, and as we heard in March's Mais Lecture, the CX is working on a roadmap to devolve a share of income tax to the North. A huge win.👏 www.ippr.org/articles/the...

ippr.org

Political and economic power is still too concentrated in Westminster. This bill is a welcome demonstration of the government’s commitment to moving ahead

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⚖️And in other breaking news!📜 The English Devolution Bill (now Act!) is now law! It's a welcome demonstration of the government’s commitment to the devolution agenda and a prosperous North...🧵

Section 21 eviction - Shelter England

Very shocking (but also not shocking) to know people who YESTERDAY got section 21'd... #section21 If that was you, please check what you received was legally valid - you can find more about how to do this here: england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advi...

england.shelter.org.uk

Find out what a section 21 eviction is and the process private landlords must follow to end an assured shorthold tenancy (AST).

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Well yes! *talks to everyone about Sandpipers being my favourite bird*

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So what now then❓ If the government is serious about tackling affordability and meeting its housing targets, it must back this reform with a major programme of social housebuilding, the only way to deliver genuinely secure, affordable homes for lower‑income renters. 🏡 #rentersrightsact #housing

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...But it doesn’t fix the biggest problem facing renters in the North: the cost!💰 👀 Rents have been rising far faster than wages, pushing more households towards poverty and homelessness.

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🎉Ending no‑fault evictions and strengthening standards will give the millions of private renters across the North of England more security, while making it easier to push back against unfair rent hikes.👏

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Shelter @sheltercharity.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Today marks the Renter's Rights Act coming into force!🚨 It is a landmark, long‑overdue reset after years of imbalance between tenants and landlords...

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Reposted by India Gerritsen

Everyone, no matter their background, needs a safe and stable home to build a healthy life. With the Renters’ Rights Act, we’ve seen what is possible when renters and housing campaigners come together and fight for change 👇 england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advi...

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Reposted by India Gerritsen

IPPR North @ipprnorth.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

🏠 How do we fix the housing crisis? 🔧 🏗️Government says it’ll build 1.5m homes this parliament. But IPPR North research shows housing challenges differ across regions. We need a place‑led approach, not just more supply. @indiafhg.bsky.social explains why👇

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Reposted by India Gerritsen

IPPR North @ipprnorth.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

IPPR North's @indiafhg.bsky.social reacts to the National Audit Office's report released today on Northern Powerhouse Rail:

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India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Very welcome news! The metro is pretty expensive (£6.70 for a return) so savings here will definitely add up 👏 youtube.com/shorts/ObgL1...

youtube.com

We're cutting Metro fares - North East Combined Authority - 26.01.26

YouTube video by North East Combined Authority

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India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

The North East is a very transient place, we're always hopping over bridges and boundaries. Very welcome transport news to ensure better connectivity for everyone around the region - which is crucial for regional growth www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @heidialexander.bsky.social and Kim McGuiness

bbc.co.uk

Leamside Line agreement between Gateshead and County Durham signed

The Leamside Line's reopening is set to progress as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail initiative.

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Reposted by India Gerritsen

IPPR North @ipprnorth.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Great to see IPPR North research on disparities in transport spending on the North, London, and the rest of the country showcased on @itvpeston.bsky.social last night. The difference in spending truly is stark. Read the full report here: lnkd.in/etg4w27f

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Reposted by India Gerritsen

IPPR North @ipprnorth.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

📊ONS employment figures for the North East released today paint a stark image of the region - but they don't tell the whole story. @indiafhg.bsky.social, Newcastle-based researcher at IPPR North explains why👇👇

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India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

👏🏻 The long awaited MVAWG strategy is finally here!👏🏻 I will collect my thoughts once I've had a chance to sit down and properly read it! I've seen mixed opinions. What's everyone's thoughts so far? #mvawg #vawgstrategy #vawg

Sarah Owen MP @sarahowen.org.uk · 18/12/2025

Reposted by India Gerritsen

They literally couldn’t be bothered to even show up to discuss the VAWG strategy today. bsky.app/profile/sara...

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India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

New update on the government's train station builds...🚆🏘️ What's everyone's thoughts?

India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Very interesting article on NE housing & devolution. Key stat? 👉Across our 7 authorities, around 60,000 households are waiting for social housing. Even in the best-case scenario, this SAHP funding would meet only 12 – 13% of current demand.

India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

And on this note.. If you've not read Caroline Criado Perez's book "Invisible Women: Exposing data bias in a world designed for men" I highly recommend!

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India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Hot take: having a 1,300 housing portfolio amidst a housing & homelessness crisis is not a brag.

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India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

I think it reached Newcastle a long time ago... Although I agree, people, especially down South are still surprised we have an issue and think it's a personal failing because "but it's so cheap!?" erm, no. Great that we're getting some coverage!

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Now it's time for a panel on child poverty in Scotland. Great that we have some panellists with lived experience too. @ipprscotland.bsky.social

Photograph of five panelists, 2 women, 3 men with a sign that reads IPPR Scotland 10th anniversary conference

Now we're onto Scottish democracy. Very interested to hear on people's opinions on democracy from a devolved government...

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Hearing from First Minister @johnswinney.bsky.social - He's ticking the boxes for me talking about the negative impacts of Thatcherism.

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I'm up further North today for the 10th Anniversary Conference in Edinburgh for @ipprscotland.bsky.social 's birthday 🎂🎉 Today we're hearing about all the big things- poverty, democracy, economy and net zero.

India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Great day so far at the Crisis NE regional homelessness conference! #homelessness #crisis #regionalhomelessconference #northeast

Was great to be on the RIBA panel at Labour Conference #LC25 on behalf of @ipprnorth.bsky.social. I discussed what we want to see taken into account in the 1.5m homes target

Photograph of 6 people on a table with microphones, discussing housing

Photograph of 3 people on a table with microphones, discussing housing

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SEN Suspensions — Arlen Pettitt - Policy | Content | Comms

Lastly, you can read @arlenpettitt.bsky.social 's report, recommendations & his moving personal foreword here (sending love to your son Arlen!): 👇 www.arlenpettitt.co.uk/sen-suspensi...

arlenpettitt.co.uk

🧠As someone with neurodivergence myself, I managed to succeed in school being the more reserved 'neurotypical' passing type, but you shouldn't have to present neurotypical to not be penalised.

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😦What really stands out for me - is these are children as young as 5 years old. And suspension rates only increase with age. Children need to be supported right from the outset & able to flourish as themselves, not forced into neurotypical boxes.📦🙅‍♀️

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We can see the NE is: 👉 slightly more likely to refuse an initial assessment for an EHCP 👉North Tyneside most likely in the NE with 46.1% of initial assessments refused 👉more likely to miss the 20wk deadline for decisions This means kids without a plan are more likely to have unmet needs

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📜⚖️Arlen also highlights EHCPs (Education, Health & Care Plans) - a legal document setting out a young person’s needs, and what should be done to accommodate them.

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The highest proportion of SEN suspensions is in South Tyneside (where I'm from) at 88.9%, and the lowest is Gateshead at 73.3%...

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2) In the North East, the % of suspensions of pupils in state-funded primary schools in receipt of SEN support, was higher than the English average 🔍When we look at local authority break downs for the NE we can see...

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1) Across England, the number of suspensions in state-funded primaries has increased from 49,600 in 2014/15 to 84,200 in 2022/23 (a 69.7% increase)! But in the North East Combined Authority region, a 103% increase has been seen!😱

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India Gerritsen @indiafhg.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Opened this morning's work inbox to a special email from @arlenpettitt.bsky.social on his new report "Set Up To Fail" outlining regional inequality in the use of school suspensions for children, especially those with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Let's have a look...🔍

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It's a strange feeling being back in the same university lecture theatre you sat doing your degree years ago... But that's where I'm at, to listen to THE @michaelmarmot.bsky.social! @insightsnortheast.bsky.social 💊 🏥 🩻 🧠 🫁 🫀🫆🩸🦠🦷🦾🦻🏻 #publichealth #marmot

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Well well well, I seem to attract becoming an advert for increased transportation spending: ➡️ NCL to Liverpool requires 3 trains on a Sunday ➡️ 1st train "power shortage issues" ➡️ Connection missed. ➡️No direct train to LV from Leeds for another hour. ➡️Next train to LV via MCR overcrowded chaos

🚂 On route to Liverpool for the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social Conference. I'm writing my speech for tomorrow's RIBA panel. I'll be speaking on what else the government needs to consider when it comes to their 1.5 million homes target🏠 (&... for those who are curious, it's a soy caramel flat white 🌝💃🏻☕)

A blurry photograph of the view outside the speeding train window. In view is a coffee cup, a laptop, notepad and pens.

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As always, sending lots of love to everyone who is currently personally impacted by these events and rhetoric. 💔♥️

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We need proper policies that will invest funds into left behind areas, eradicate poverty, and tackle inequality head on.