Easington is a lovely village and Scarecrow Saturday is a true Bank Holiday tradition! It was great to join everyone to see the displays and to draw the raffle (and eat a few thousand calories in scones!).

Since my election in 2017 I have been proud to support the endeavours of hundreds of young people from across our area who have taken part in the NCS - National Citizen Service programmes.

Today marks the launch of a major joint campaign by Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston, the Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council, Mary Lanigan, and myself.

Today the Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay has signed into law the repeal of the European Communities Act 1972 with effect from 31 October. Under Boris Johnson, the Conservatives are committed to leaving the EU on that date, with or without a deal.

This summer is the hardest-working of my life as I get fully settled into my role as a Treasury minister, and I thought it would be worth setting out a bit more about my responsibilities.

I’ve welcomed the announcement by Boris Johnson that he will end the policy of automatic early release for criminals and build 10,000 more prison places. The first new prison in the £2.5bn programme will be HMP Full Sutton in Yorkshire.

It was great to be at the Riverside for the first home league game of the Woodgate era today! The second picture below shows the fantastic banner from Red Faction - Ultras Boro.

Today the Government has announced £41.7m to improve paediatric cardiac care in our region as part of a £1.8bn package of extra NHS investment.

The money will go to the specialist facilities in Newcastle that provide this level of care to children across the North East.

It's been brilliant to see everyone's enthusiasm for a freeport for Teesside following yesterday's announcement.

Thank you for all your kind messages over the last 48 hours - I really appreciate them. It’s been a very busy and productive first day in my new job, getting to meet the team of civil servants and fellow ministers.