May 28, 2025 at 5:07 AM
The government may soon decide on a National Audit Office probe into Teesworks and STDC, amid transparency concerns and £560mn in public funds
Rayner expected to decide soon on new Teesworks probe
The government may soon decide on a National Audit Office probe into Teesworks and STDC, amid transparency concerns and £560mn in public funds.
northeastbylines.co.uk
January 10, 2025 at 10:04 PM
The government may soon decide on a National Audit Office probe into Teesworks and STDC, amid transparency concerns and £560mn in public funds
Darlington Greens join calls for NAO probe into Ben Houchen’s TVCA and STDC
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Darlington Greens join calls for NAO probe into Ben Houchen’s TVCA and STDC
Green group leader Councillor Matthew Snedker has submitted a motion to Darlington Borough Council, calling for the government to put in place the statutory arrangements necessary for the NAO to inves...
northeastbylines.co.uk
September 21, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Darlington Greens join calls for NAO probe into Ben Houchen’s TVCA and STDC
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Councillors in Tees Valley are attempting to remove Mayor Lord Ben Houchen from his position as chair of South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) because of a possible conflict of interest | Peter Morris
Councillors move to oust Houchen as STDC chair
Councillors in Tees Valley are attempting to remove Mayor Lord Ben Houchen from his position as chair of South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) because of a possible conflict of interest
northeastbylines.co.uk
September 24, 2024 at 9:25 PM
Councillors in Tees Valley are attempting to remove Mayor Lord Ben Houchen from his position as chair of South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) because of a possible conflict of interest | Peter Morris
🔥Councillors in Tees Valley are attempting to remove Mayor Lord Ben Houchen from his position as chair of South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) because of a possible conflict of interest.
Councillors move to oust Houchen as STDC chair
Councillors in Tees Valley are attempting to remove Mayor Lord Ben Houchen from his position as chair of South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) because of a possible conflict of interest
northeastbylines.co.uk
September 30, 2024 at 3:51 PM
🔥Councillors in Tees Valley are attempting to remove Mayor Lord Ben Houchen from his position as chair of South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) because of a possible conflict of interest.
Ben Houchen’s STDC pushed for a Redcar Park & Ride, but delays, land deals, and ecological damage raise questions about its purpose.
Will Ben Houchen ever stop concreting over Teesside?
Ben Houchen’s STDC pushed for a Redcar Park & Ride, but delays, land deals, and ecological damage raise questions about its purpose.
northeastbylines.co.uk
February 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Ben Houchen’s STDC pushed for a Redcar Park & Ride, but delays, land deals, and ecological damage raise questions about its purpose.
Backbench councillors continue to be denied the right to scrutinise the activities of South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) and Teesworks Ltd | Peter Morris
Tees Valley Combined Authority digs in on scrutiny
Backbench councillors continue to be denied the right to scrutinise the activities of South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) and Teesworks Ltd
northeastbylines.co.uk
September 21, 2024 at 8:45 AM
Backbench councillors continue to be denied the right to scrutinise the activities of South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) and Teesworks Ltd | Peter Morris
Left: Laura Kuenssberg, "The most senior elected Conservative in the country in office at the moment, Lord Houcen, Ben, the Major of Teesside"
Right: "The government may soon decide on a National Audit Office probe into Teesworks and STDC, amid transparency concerns and £560mn in public funds"
Right: "The government may soon decide on a National Audit Office probe into Teesworks and STDC, amid transparency concerns and £560mn in public funds"
January 12, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Left: Laura Kuenssberg, "The most senior elected Conservative in the country in office at the moment, Lord Houcen, Ben, the Major of Teesside"
Right: "The government may soon decide on a National Audit Office probe into Teesworks and STDC, amid transparency concerns and £560mn in public funds"
Right: "The government may soon decide on a National Audit Office probe into Teesworks and STDC, amid transparency concerns and £560mn in public funds"
New storm over Houchen and Teesworks
Houchen accused of “giving away our children’s future” by former STDC board member
Houchen accused of “giving away our children’s future” by former STDC board member
New storm over Houchen and Teesworks
Houchen accused of “giving away our children’s future” by former STDC board member
northeastbylines.co.uk
April 27, 2024 at 12:27 PM
New storm over Houchen and Teesworks
Houchen accused of “giving away our children’s future” by former STDC board member
Houchen accused of “giving away our children’s future” by former STDC board member
Ben Houchen must quit as chair of Tees Valley MDCs to comply with new government guidance on avoiding conflicts of interest
Houchen must quit as STDC chair to comply with legal guidance
Ben Houchen must quit as chair of Tees Valley MDCs to comply with new government guidance on avoiding conflicts of interest
northeastbylines.co.uk
April 5, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Ben Houchen must quit as chair of Tees Valley MDCs to comply with new government guidance on avoiding conflicts of interest
@mrjamesob.bsky.social why is Lord Ben Houchen, Metro Mayor of Tees Valley, not being asked about the ongoing problems in his area?
www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
Private Eye | Teesside: Plot twisters
THERE are dysfunctional public bodies and then there’s Lord (Ben) Houchen’s Tees Valley (TVCA) Authority and its wholly owned South Tees Development Corporation (STDC).
www.private-eye.co.uk
August 28, 2026 at 10:25 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social why is Lord Ben Houchen, Metro Mayor of Tees Valley, not being asked about the ongoing problems in his area?
www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
The STDC is broken beyond repair as Finance Chief quits
A routine South Tees Development Corporation audit meeting erupted as interim finance chief Jo Moore announced her exit
northeastbylines.co.uk/business/the...
A routine South Tees Development Corporation audit meeting erupted as interim finance chief Jo Moore announced her exit
northeastbylines.co.uk/business/the...
The STDC is broken beyond repair as Finance Chief quits
A routine South Tees Development Corporation audit meeting erupted as interim finance chief Jo Moore announced her exit.
northeastbylines.co.uk
February 23, 2026 at 10:49 AM
The STDC is broken beyond repair as Finance Chief quits
A routine South Tees Development Corporation audit meeting erupted as interim finance chief Jo Moore announced her exit
northeastbylines.co.uk/business/the...
A routine South Tees Development Corporation audit meeting erupted as interim finance chief Jo Moore announced her exit
northeastbylines.co.uk/business/the...
Both Labour and the Troes have failed to investigate the shenanigans at Teesworks
So it's down to the Green Party to do the heavy lifting
James Waterson for @northeastbylines.co.uk
Darlington Greens join calls for NAO probe into Ben Houchen’s TVCA and STDC northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
So it's down to the Green Party to do the heavy lifting
James Waterson for @northeastbylines.co.uk
Darlington Greens join calls for NAO probe into Ben Houchen’s TVCA and STDC northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Darlington Greens join calls for NAO probe into Ben Houchen’s TVCA and STDC
Green group leader Councillor Matthew Snedker has submitted a motion to Darlington Borough Council, calling for the government to put in place the statutory arrangements necessary for the NAO to inves...
northeastbylines.co.uk
September 21, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Both Labour and the Troes have failed to investigate the shenanigans at Teesworks
So it's down to the Green Party to do the heavy lifting
James Waterson for @northeastbylines.co.uk
Darlington Greens join calls for NAO probe into Ben Houchen’s TVCA and STDC northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
So it's down to the Green Party to do the heavy lifting
James Waterson for @northeastbylines.co.uk
Darlington Greens join calls for NAO probe into Ben Houchen’s TVCA and STDC northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Hi #BenHouchen fans
"Houchen must quit as STDC chair to comply with legal Order."
The UK government has had enough of his shenanigans.
Read more from Peter Morris courtesy of @northeastbylines.co.uk
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
"Houchen must quit as STDC chair to comply with legal Order."
The UK government has had enough of his shenanigans.
Read more from Peter Morris courtesy of @northeastbylines.co.uk
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
Houchen must quit as STDC chair to comply with legal Order
Ben Houchen must quit as chair of Tees Valley MDCs to comply with new government guidance on avoiding conflicts of interest
northeastbylines.co.uk
April 5, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Hi #BenHouchen fans
"Houchen must quit as STDC chair to comply with legal Order."
The UK government has had enough of his shenanigans.
Read more from Peter Morris courtesy of @northeastbylines.co.uk
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
"Houchen must quit as STDC chair to comply with legal Order."
The UK government has had enough of his shenanigans.
Read more from Peter Morris courtesy of @northeastbylines.co.uk
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
The TVCA are allowing us to film the STDC Audit and Governance meeting on Friday where the Mazars report will be discussed. Watch this space.
December 4, 2024 at 6:44 PM
The TVCA are allowing us to film the STDC Audit and Governance meeting on Friday where the Mazars report will be discussed. Watch this space.
The Tees Valley Review raised this issue. We have also been questioning the TVCA and STDC over why Houchen has not complied with the request to step down as STDC chair. Finally the government has intervened.
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
Houchen must quit as STDC chair to comply with legal Order
Ben Houchen must quit as chair of Tees Valley MDCs to comply with new government guidance on avoiding conflicts of interest
northeastbylines.co.uk
April 5, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The Tees Valley Review raised this issue. We have also been questioning the TVCA and STDC over why Houchen has not complied with the request to step down as STDC chair. Finally the government has intervened.
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
One very key q:
If the STDC or the airport default on their loans, who is on the hook?
Is it the councils in one of the poorest parts of the country, or is it the govt, who would have to write off the debt?
A: nobody seems to know. Govt still hasn’t provided clarity
If the STDC or the airport default on their loans, who is on the hook?
Is it the councils in one of the poorest parts of the country, or is it the govt, who would have to write off the debt?
A: nobody seems to know. Govt still hasn’t provided clarity
December 18, 2025 at 9:37 AM
One very key q:
If the STDC or the airport default on their loans, who is on the hook?
Is it the councils in one of the poorest parts of the country, or is it the govt, who would have to write off the debt?
A: nobody seems to know. Govt still hasn’t provided clarity
If the STDC or the airport default on their loans, who is on the hook?
Is it the councils in one of the poorest parts of the country, or is it the govt, who would have to write off the debt?
A: nobody seems to know. Govt still hasn’t provided clarity
Nobody has ever done an inquiry into the airport and it cannot be FOId, due to an arcane share structure involving a charity. So its inner financial workings are opaque.
But the liabilities at STDC - and qs about who is on the hook - *had* been red flagged before, by the Tees Valley Review in 2024
But the liabilities at STDC - and qs about who is on the hook - *had* been red flagged before, by the Tees Valley Review in 2024
December 18, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Nobody has ever done an inquiry into the airport and it cannot be FOId, due to an arcane share structure involving a charity. So its inner financial workings are opaque.
But the liabilities at STDC - and qs about who is on the hook - *had* been red flagged before, by the Tees Valley Review in 2024
But the liabilities at STDC - and qs about who is on the hook - *had* been red flagged before, by the Tees Valley Review in 2024
Full story online and in the latest issue: www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
For the rest, including cartoons, Pseuds, Dumb Britain and all the other regulars, you’ll have to buy the magazine.
🧵3/3
For the rest, including cartoons, Pseuds, Dumb Britain and all the other regulars, you’ll have to buy the magazine.
🧵3/3
Private Eye | Teesside: Plot twisters
THERE are dysfunctional public bodies and then there’s Lord (Ben) Houchen’s Tees Valley (TVCA) Authority and its wholly owned South Tees Development Corporation (STDC).
www.private-eye.co.uk
August 24, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Full story online and in the latest issue: www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
For the rest, including cartoons, Pseuds, Dumb Britain and all the other regulars, you’ll have to buy the magazine.
🧵3/3
For the rest, including cartoons, Pseuds, Dumb Britain and all the other regulars, you’ll have to buy the magazine.
🧵3/3
Is Ben Houchen's TVCA holed below the waterline?
Nautical metaphors ahoy, as James Waterson investigates Teesside's sinking ship, courtesy of @northeastbylines.co.uk
Abandon ship: TVCA finance chief quits amid secret talks to write off airport and STDC debts northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Nautical metaphors ahoy, as James Waterson investigates Teesside's sinking ship, courtesy of @northeastbylines.co.uk
Abandon ship: TVCA finance chief quits amid secret talks to write off airport and STDC debts northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Abandon ship: TVCA finance chief quits amid secret talks to write off airport and STDC debts
Jo Moore managed to go from reassuring councillors she was staying to demonstrating why they needed the reassurance in the first place
northeastbylines.co.uk
July 15, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Is Ben Houchen's TVCA holed below the waterline?
Nautical metaphors ahoy, as James Waterson investigates Teesside's sinking ship, courtesy of @northeastbylines.co.uk
Abandon ship: TVCA finance chief quits amid secret talks to write off airport and STDC debts northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Nautical metaphors ahoy, as James Waterson investigates Teesside's sinking ship, courtesy of @northeastbylines.co.uk
Abandon ship: TVCA finance chief quits amid secret talks to write off airport and STDC debts northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
An Australian living in Los Angeles has spoken to 6 News, describing his experience escaping the wildfires that have killed at least 24 across California
WATCH HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTDC...
WATCH HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTDC...
Los Angeles resident describes escaping wildfires | 6 News
YouTube video by SIX News Australia
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2025 at 6:42 AM
An Australian living in Los Angeles has spoken to 6 News, describing his experience escaping the wildfires that have killed at least 24 across California
WATCH HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTDC...
WATCH HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTDC...
In latest @privateeyenews.bsky.social, the Teesside shambles goes on: missed payments from businessmen who’ve cashed in on regeneration for £100ms of taxpayer’s money, undocumented loans, 8 figure errors in public body accounts. Available to read online -
www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
Private Eye | Teesside: Plot twisters
THERE are dysfunctional public bodies and then there’s Lord (Ben) Houchen’s Tees Valley (TVCA) Authority and its wholly owned South Tees Development Corporation (STDC).
www.private-eye.co.uk
August 28, 2026 at 10:26 AM
In latest @privateeyenews.bsky.social, the Teesside shambles goes on: missed payments from businessmen who’ve cashed in on regeneration for £100ms of taxpayer’s money, undocumented loans, 8 figure errors in public body accounts. Available to read online -
www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back
Abandon ship: TVCA finance chief quits amid secret talks to write off airport and STDC debts
Jo Moore managed to go from reassuring councillors she was staying to demonstrating why they needed the reassurance in the first place
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Jo Moore managed to go from reassuring councillors she was staying to demonstrating why they needed the reassurance in the first place
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Abandon ship: TVCA finance chief quits amid secret talks to write off airport and STDC debts
Jo Moore managed to go from reassuring councillors she was staying to demonstrating why they needed the reassurance in the first place
northeastbylines.co.uk
July 15, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Abandon ship: TVCA finance chief quits amid secret talks to write off airport and STDC debts
Jo Moore managed to go from reassuring councillors she was staying to demonstrating why they needed the reassurance in the first place
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
Jo Moore managed to go from reassuring councillors she was staying to demonstrating why they needed the reassurance in the first place
northeastbylines.co.uk/news/politic...
South Tees Development Corporation confirms chief executive after shambolic process
After months of delays and procedural missteps, STDC has finally confirmed John Barnes as CEO just days before a legal deadline
@northeastbylines.co.uk
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
After months of delays and procedural missteps, STDC has finally confirmed John Barnes as CEO just days before a legal deadline
@northeastbylines.co.uk
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
South Tees Development Corporation confirms chief executive after shambolic process
After months of delays and procedural missteps, STDC has finally confirmed John Barnes as CEO just days before a legal deadline
northeastbylines.co.uk
June 16, 2025 at 8:49 AM
South Tees Development Corporation confirms chief executive after shambolic process
After months of delays and procedural missteps, STDC has finally confirmed John Barnes as CEO just days before a legal deadline
@northeastbylines.co.uk
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
After months of delays and procedural missteps, STDC has finally confirmed John Barnes as CEO just days before a legal deadline
@northeastbylines.co.uk
northeastbylines.co.uk/region/teess...
The Teesworks Freeport accounts are a disaster.
Auditors are refusing to sign them off.
STDC carries £420m in debt.
There are no formal contracts covering any of it.
This is an absolute free zones scandal, and the MSM won't touch it. Why? 🧵
europeanpowell.substack.com/p/the-deregu...
Auditors are refusing to sign them off.
STDC carries £420m in debt.
There are no formal contracts covering any of it.
This is an absolute free zones scandal, and the MSM won't touch it. Why? 🧵
europeanpowell.substack.com/p/the-deregu...
The Deregulated Free Zone Is What the Clearance Was For
The Teesworks accounts, the Anthropic data centre, and eight years of evidence that nobody in power wants to examine.
europeanpowell.substack.com
August 24, 2026 at 9:14 AM
The Teesworks Freeport accounts are a disaster.
Auditors are refusing to sign them off.
STDC carries £420m in debt.
There are no formal contracts covering any of it.
This is an absolute free zones scandal, and the MSM won't touch it. Why? 🧵
europeanpowell.substack.com/p/the-deregu...
Auditors are refusing to sign them off.
STDC carries £420m in debt.
There are no formal contracts covering any of it.
This is an absolute free zones scandal, and the MSM won't touch it. Why? 🧵
europeanpowell.substack.com/p/the-deregu...