From April, 50,000 council and housing association tenants will lose a percentage of their housing benefit, if they have a spare room in their house. It is designed to free up bigger houses for the families who need them - but in many areas, a shortage of smaller homes means moving is not an option.
Josef Craig, the Paralympic Champion and Young Sports Personality of the Year, has been in Jarrow today to unveil the newly-built Jarrow Community Pool.
He says that the pool will suit all abilities.
Teenage swimming star Josef Craig has officially opened the new Jarrow Community Pool today.
The new 4 million pound facility, which is attached to Jarrow School, was unveiled by the Paralympic champion at a ceremony this morning.
Josef Craig was then first to take a dip in the million pound pool.
The 15-year-old, who is originally from the North East, was recently honoured with an MBE and the Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
The last survivor of the Jarrow March, a famous protest against unemployment and poverty during the Great Depression, has died.
Con Shiels, who died on Boxing Day aged 96-years-old, was part of the crusade that saw around 200 unemployed men walk from Jarrow to London in 1936.
Carrying an 11,000-name petition, they did so to demand help from the government after the closure of their shipyard.
Mr Shiels, who was aged 20 at the time, joined his father and the other protesters for the final part of the marathon 300-mile journey.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted in South Tyneside. Officers were called to Percy Street in Jarrow after reports came in of two men fighting, with one man believed to be in possession of a knife.
A 38-year-old man was taken to hospital with wounds to his head and ear, and a 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is currently in police custody.
Northern Powergrid believe that power will be restored to hundreds of homes in the Jarrow and Hebburn areas by mid-afternoon.
They have managed to restore power to around two hundred homes in the last hour, but expect the remaining seven hundred to be affected until around three o'clock.
Northern Powergrid have confirmed that 942 homes in the Jarrow and Hebburn areas are currently without power.
They became aware of problems with the power supply around five o'clock this morning when an initial 2800 homes were thought to be without power.
Engineers have managed to partially restore power to the area, but there are still thought to be over nine hundred homes affected.
Northern Powergrid are still investigating what the source of the problem is and hopefully expect the power to be restored by 12 o'clock.
They have apologised for any inconvenience that the power cut has caused.
A 21-year-old man has been arrested after police received a report of vandalism in Jarrow in South Tyneside.
At 7.20am on Wednesday 12th September 2012, Northumbria Police received a report of a number of objects being graffitied around the Market Walk area including a car, a gas box and a mailbox which was painted gold to celebrate Josef Craig's gold medal at the Paralympic Games.
Police say a 21-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and is currently in police custody helping police with their enquiries.
Advance Warning - A19 Tyne Tunnel closed in both directions due to Royal Visit between A187 (Jarrow) and A185 (Willington)
Part of The Queen's Jubilee tour. Both the North and Southbound tunnels will be closed for around 15 minutes, at some point between 9.30 and 11:30. Lorries and other large vehicles should not use the tunnel after 09:30, and use one of the bridges instead.From 9:30 until 11:30 on 18th July.
Advance Warning - A185 Howard Street / Straker Street closed in both directions due to Royal Visit between B1297 Ellison Street (Jarrow) and Church Bank (Newcastle Upon Tyne)
Part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee tour. The A185 is closed either side of the Tyne Tunnel, which will itself be closed for around 15 minutes at some point between 09:30 and 11:30. Priory Road is also closed.From 9:30 until 11:30 on 18th July.
