Politics

This year’s local elections are just around the corner, and we will be turning the spotlight on all Sunderland’s candidates in the run-up to polling day on May 3.

A North East rail boss is finally to see for himself the faults and problems that have plagued Sunderland’s rundown station for years.

Council plans to demolish 10 empty homes are set for approval next week.

An £100m council bid from a UK Government funding pot could benefit plans to transform Sunderland’s train station, councillors have heard.

Ninety per cent of readers have backed proposals by Sunderland City Council to crush vehicles used for dumping rubbish.

New powers to seize and even crush vehicles used for fly-tipping on Wearside look set to be taken up by Sunderland City Council should proposals get the green light.

Foster carers in Sunderland are some of the lowest paid in the North East, city councillors have been told.

Surveillance powers have been used twice this year by council snoopers trying to root out illegal tobacco sellers.

Two-thirds of readers have backed the idea of MPs getting to vote over airstrikes in Syria.

A Liberal Democrat council candidate from Sunderland has been suspended by the party as it investigates allegations that she shared offensive posts on social media.

The Prime Minister has defended the air strikes carried out by the UK. USA and France on suspected chemical weapons sights in Syria as "right and legal".

The latest stage of a multi-million pound FA scheme to create new all-weather football pitches on Wearside could be given the go-ahead next week.

Hundreds of care home beds are unoccupied across Sunderland at any one time, a meeting has heard.

A Sunderland MP has backed a new policy by the Labour Party to fund free bus travel for people aged under 25.

Plans to build a new family home in a Durham garden have been approved despite concerns it could be turned into student accommodation.

There should be "mandatory minimum standards" for hospital food, Labour has said.