What Newcastle Labour Delivered
From 2011 to 2026, Newcastle Labour led Newcastle City Council through some of the most challenging years local government has faced.
Despite huge reductions in funding, Tory and Lib Dem austerity, a global pandemic and growing pressure on public services, Labour continued to invest in Newcastle, protect the most vulnerable and bring new jobs, homes and investment to our city.
Here are some of the things Newcastle Labour delivered for Newcastle.
Building homes and regenerating communities
The Rise, Scotswood - Labour helped drive forward the regeneration of Scotswood, transforming previously cleared land into a growing new neighbourhood with hundreds of new homes and further phases planned. Building more homes - Labour supported the construction of new council, affordable and private homes across Newcastle and brought previously neglected and brownfield sites back into use. Homes for older people - New specialist and affordable homes for older residents were delivered in communities across the city, including Lemington, Benwell and Newbiggin Hall. Forth Yards - Labour helped unlock the long-awaited regeneration of Forth Yards, securing major public investment to support thousands of new homes on one of Newcastle's most important brownfield sites.
Preventing homelessness
A world-leading approach to homelessness prevention - Newcastle developed an Active Inclusion approach which brought the council together with more than 100 organisations to identify people at risk and intervene before they became homeless. Between 2014 and 2020, more than 24,000 households were prevented from becoming homeless. World Habitat Gold Award - In 2020, Newcastle's homelessness prevention work received the prestigious World Habitat Gold Award, one of only two Gold Awards presented anywhere in the world that year.
Giving children the best possible start
Transforming Children's Services - Labour oversaw major improvements in Newcastle's Children's Services. By 2025, Ofsted continued to rate services Good overall, with services for children needing help and protection rated Outstanding. Investing in Newcastle's schools - Labour supported major rebuilding, refurbishment and expansion of schools across Newcastle, improving facilities and creating additional places as the city's population grew. Supporting children through the pandemic - When families faced unprecedented pressures during COVID-19, Newcastle stepped in with food and practical support for children and families, including thousands of meals during school holidays.
Tackling poverty and supporting working people
Making Newcastle a Real Living Wage Council - Labour introduced the Real Living Wage for the council's lowest-paid employees and Newcastle City Council later became an accredited Real Living Wage employer. Supporting people before they reach crisis - Through Active Inclusion, welfare rights, financial inclusion and homelessness prevention services, Labour developed an approach focused on identifying problems early and helping residents before they reached crisis point.
Bringing investment and jobs to Newcastle
Newcastle Helix - Labour helped transform the former brewery site into Newcastle Helix, a major innovation district bringing together businesses, researchers, Newcastle University and public services. Securing devolution for the North East - Newcastle Labour played its part in securing a major North East devolution deal, bringing new powers and billions of pounds of long-term investment to our region. Investing in our city centre - Labour oversaw and secured investment in streets and public spaces across Newcastle, including improvements around Grey Street, Northumberland Street and Ridley Place.
Making Newcastle greener
Declaring a Climate Emergency - In 2019, Newcastle declared a Climate Emergency and set an ambitious goal for Newcastle to become a net-zero city. Investing in greener buildings and homes - Labour secured tens of millions of pounds for decarbonisation, energy efficiency and measures to reduce emissions from public buildings and homes. Cleaner air - Working with neighbouring Gateshead, Newcastle introduced measures to tackle illegal levels of air pollution while keeping private cars outside the Clean Air Zone charging scheme and providing financial support to help businesses and drivers upgrade vehicles.
Standing with Newcastle through COVID
Citylife Line - Within days of the first national lockdown, Newcastle established Citylife Line to connect vulnerable and isolated residents with food, medicines and other essential support. Mobilising Newcastle's response - Hundreds of council staff were redeployed to essential services, while thousands of residents and community organisations came together to support their neighbours. The emergency response also helped develop Newcastle's Welfare and Wellbeing approach, providing a lasting way of connecting residents facing hardship with the support they need.