A man walking his dog near Whitehaven in Cumbria. Approved plans for a new coal mine near the Cumbrian town will produce more emissions than any of the others currently open in the UK, a climate group has warned. 

The government has 'called' in the application for the UK's first deep coal mine in 30 years. Political Correspondent Tom Sheldrick examines what happens next. 

How will the public inquiry into the West Cumbria mine work?

Our Political Correspondent considers why the government has picked Teesside to lead the way, and whether the changes will make a big difference for the region.

Chancellor makes Teesside the poster child for ‘levelling up’ ambitions

Our Political Correspondent Tom Sheldrick crunches the numbers to look at claims of supply being taken away from our region and how well the rollout is going.

Has the North East had its fair share of coronavirus vaccinations?

Tom Sheldrick looks at how plans for the UK's first deep coal mine in 30 years have become a political hot potato, revealing much about the two main parties.

Why the west Cumbria mine matters in defining who Labour & the Tories are now

190221 - Interview with Nick Brown by Tom Sheldrick - Credit: ITV News 

The Newcastle East MP led the government's response to the foot-and-mouth crisis. He reflects on that, and comparisons with the current coronavirus pandemic.

Former Agriculture Minister Nick Brown defends foot-and-mouth response

As 'Covid-secure' local elections are confirmed for 6 May, our Political Correspondent looks at what's at stake in our region.

Plenty to play for in the North East, as local elections get the go-ahead

Our Political Correspondent Tom Sheldrick reflects on the year that nobody could have predicted.

Tom Sheldrick: How the pandemic overshadowed all in 2020

Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi leaves 10 Downing Street, central London

Mr Zahawi told political correspondent Tom Sheldrick, "no vaccine will be taken away from the North East" to inoculate people in the top four priority groups. 

No jabs will be taken from North East to vaccinate groups 1-4, says minister

Our Political Correspondent weighs opinion among a group of people from the North East who voted Tory for the first time at last December's general election.

One year on - how 'Red Wall' voters who switched to the Conservatives feel now

Our Political Correspondent Tom Sheldrick looks at the arguments around whether it's right for the region to be going into the toughest level of restrictions.

Is tier 3 fair on the North East?

Our Political Correspondent Tom Sheldrick blogs on why the government making a mess of explaining the stricter restrictions in our region matters.

Prime Minister's 'misspeak' risks undermining North East coronavirus rules again

The Baftas, followed by the Oscars, mark the glitzy culmination of the film award season. Except there has been little glitz, and little box office to speak of.

Baftas: What to expect, who to watch, and what next for the industry

The Duke of Sussex will return to a family raw with grief and still struggling with the fallout from the Oprah Winfrey interview.

The challenges Harry faces as he prepares to return for grandfather's funeral

The reasons for this eruption of violence are as complicated as they are numerous, writes UTV Political Editor Tracey Magee.

From Brexit to sectarian anger - what sparked violence in Northern Ireland?

This is a critical moment in tackling the violence men do to women, writes Julie Etchingham ahead of a special ITV Tonight programme.

Women's safety: 'We cannot let this moment go to waste'

Under-30s in the UK will be offered Pfizer or Moderna vaccines rather than the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine due to concerns over a very rare risk of blood clots.

What to consider if you're over 30 and offered the AstraZeneca vaccine

ITV News Economics Editor Joel Hills writes that there are two types of countries - those with vaccines and those who have to wait.

IMF decries 'vaccine nationalism' and urges wealthy countries to share stocks

The UK and European drug watchdogs are expected to publish their latest findings into a possible link between the AstraZeneca jab and blood clots.  

AstraZeneca vaccine: Is there a risk of blood clots?

Over the last year the waters of the Zambezi aren’t the only thing to have fallen off a cliff here – tourist numbers have too.

Tom Sheldrick

Political Correspondent, ITV Tyne Tees and ITV Border