TUC general secretary Paul Nowak has called on Labour to give working families in the north-east a “fresh start” after the region suffered one of the worst rises in child poverty under the Tories.

Speaking ahead of thousands meeting for the Durham Miners’ Gala today, he said working people in the north-east of England have been in desperate need of a new deal.

“Living standards have fallen and in-work poverty has soared under the Conservatives’ watch,” he said.