As the May 6 elections approach, Northumberland Labour is emphasising Labour’s national manifesto of secure, protect and rebuild.

Labour Group leader Susan Dungworth said: “Our manifesto a home, a job, a friend fits with the national manifesto. The local and the national manifestos are about putting people first.

“After this awful pandemic no one wants to go back to what we had before. Throughout the pandemic we have seen fantastic acts of kindness and communities coming together to support each other. Talking to people as we’ve been out and about, we know this is what people are now looking for now; a county and a country that prioritises having a decent roof over your head, a job that pays so you can support yourself and your family and a thriving community with help and support when you need it.

“We cannot go back to homelessness, a lack of housing, poor landlords, an ever increasing reliance on food banks and people feeling isolated and lonely. We want a county and a country which is a great place to grow up, grow old and live in.

“After a pandemic which has robbed so many families of their loved ones and had a devastating effect on individuals and the economy, we’ve got to do things differently.

“Labour will be working with businesses to secure the economy by providing help for business to get back on their feet. It will be making sure people – including our NHS workers – are paid fairly for the jobs they do and will work tirelessly, not only to rebuild the country, but to make it place that works for each and every person living here.

“Every vote cast on May 6 matters. I would urge people to make sure they vote, either by post or in person.”