A protest will be held at Sunderland University tomorrow over plans to axe history, politics and language courses.

The University and College Union fears the focus on "professions facing" degrees could signal the start of a national trend away from humanities subjects in the newer universities.

The union says that subjects such as history, politics and modern foreign languages could become the preserve of elite universities.

The protest tomorrow night comes as Sunderland University hosts BBC Radio 4 political discussion show Any Questions.

Steve Cannon, branch secretary of UCU at the university, said: “Our members are very worried about this move towards narrow vocationalism. Local students shouldn’t lose the opportunity to learn history and politics at their local university.

“Staff are also very concerned that this decision was taken by the university’s board of governors without consultation with stakeholders such as staff and students. We were informed after the decision had been made.”

Sir David Bell, the university's chief executive, said: “We understand the concerns being expressed by students and staff, and respect their right to protest.

“We have made a commitment to look after our students to enable them to complete their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. The approach we are taking is consistent with our Student Protection Plan which was agreed by the Office for Students.

"We have also moved quickly to provide students with the information they need to inform their future choices.

"This has included face-to-face meetings, written communications and optional one-to-one discussions with members of staff."

BBC Sport

Leeds United moved back to within four points of Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion as Mateusz Klich's strike earned victory over lowly Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Klich guided a fine shot in off the far post in first-half injury time moments after Pablo Hernandez's low effort came back off the upright.

Image source, Getty

Boro, who have now lost three in a row and are winless in nine league games since beating Preston North End on New Year's Day, showed decent resolve and had their moments, the best of which saw Marcus Tavernier's curled shot hit the top of the bar after the break.

But Leeds showed the greater fluency and quality in an often frenetic match and created the better chances throughout, with Patrick Bamford, Stuart Dallas and Hernandez all denied by impressive Boro keeper Aynsley Pears on United's way to a third consecutive win.

Police describe the deaths of a 44-year-old man and 68-year-old woman as "tragic".

Detectives investigating the discovery of the bodies of two people in a house in Sunderland are treating one of the deaths as suspected murder.

The bodies of a 44-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were found at a house in Satley Gardens yesterday.

Police say that at this stage there is no third-party involvement and that they are currently treating the death of the woman as suspected murder.

Det Ch Insp Jane Fairlamb said: “This is a tragic case that has led to the deaths of a man and a woman.

“Their next of kin have been notified and are currently being supported by a team of specialist family liaison officers. Our thoughts go out to them at this awful time.

“Forensic teams have been at the address overnight and officers will continue to remain at the property throughout today to carry out a range of inquiries.

“I would like to reassure members of the community that there is no wider threat to the public and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this stage.

“The man and woman were known to each other and we are continuing to investigate the circumstances behind their deaths.”

Thick snow and wintry scenes can still be found in the North Pennines.

The first flights in nine years from Teesside Airport to Alicante in Spain are due to take off again in July.

The twice-weekly flights will be operated by Eastern Airways and add to six new UK destinations from the airport, announced last month.

Introducing new flights is part of a 10-year rescue plan for Teesside Airport which has seen passenger numbers dwindle from about a million a year to 140,000.

The airport was brought back into public ownership last year.

Image source, Getty Creative

John McGee asked a governor to "have a word" with a guard giving evidence in a trial.

James Cain, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Middlesbrough Council has approved a budget that will see council tax rise by just under 4% with no cuts to services, bosses say.

That's despite Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston's initial proposals for his first mayor’s budget.

His plans might have kept increases to council tax as low as 2%, but they came with £4.5m of unpopular cuts to services including weekly bin collections and lollipop patrols.

The independent mayor faced a possible fight to get his budget passed by the council.

But an agreement between the mayor and his Labour opponents earlier this month made last night’s outcome more or less certain.

A breakthrough came when Middlesbrough Labour group presented Mr Preston with an alternative budget.

Agreeing to Labour’s proposals meant dropping the unpopular cuts but, to make up the difference, residents will now face a 3.99% council tax rise, about £33 extra per year for the average Band D household.

The £260m complex is expected to have an arena, exhibition centre, hotel, shops and restaurants.

The South will close a series of concerts this summer, it has been announced.

The group, which includes former members of The Beautiful South, Alison Wheeler and Gaz Birtles, will play a selection of their hits including Song for Whoever, A Little Time, Rotterdam and Don’t Marry Her on 2 August, along with original music.

South Tyneside Council has already announced that the Sunday concerts in Bents Park in South Shields will open on 12 July with Ella Henderson, followed by Will Young on 19 July and Shalamar and The Fizz on 26 July.

The concerts are free but a limited number of priority tickets are available for £6, which guarantees earlier entry and access to bars and toilets.

Image source, Scott Choucino

BBC Tees
BBC Tees Sport

Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate said his side needs to do better after their 1-0 loss at home to Leeds United in the Championship last night.

"It was a lot better than the last two games, that's for sure," Woodgate said.

"I thought we matched them for large parts and if we play with that intensity, we'll pick up a lot more wins.

Image source, PA Media

"I'm very disappointed with the goal. Twenty seconds of the first half left - we shouldn't be playing square passes.

"You see the game out and go in 0-0. Leeds can be lethal at times, but we need to do better with that.

"The composure on the ball, the final pass wasn't good enough at times. We were pressing and chasing them down but when you get into possession you need to be cooler."

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man suffered serious injuries to his face, body and back in an attack in Whitley Bay on Sunday.

Northumbria Police said officers found the 27-year-old man at an address on Esplanade at about 04:00. He is in hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Two women, aged 27 and 28, and a 27-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder. A second man, 24, has been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent.

Det Insp Matthew Steel appealed for information, saying: "This was an incredibly serious assault that has left a man hospitalised with multiple injuries. This type of incident is totally unacceptable and we are committed to ensuring those responsible are dealt with robustly."

He also said the force is "aware of graphic images and speculations" about the attack circulating on social media and asked people to be "respectful and careful".

The release of a Sunderland shopkeeper who was due to be freed tomorrow after serving half his sentence for a terrorist offence has been blocked.

Mohammed Zahir was convicted in May 2018 after posting material supporting so called Islamic State on social media.

But emergency legislation to block the automatic early release of people convicted of terrorist offences has become law after receiving Royal Assent yesterday.

Image source, CTPNE

BBC Weather

Early cloud will clear to leave spells of sunshine today although with gusty north westerly winds.

But it will remain cold with one or two sleet and hill snow showers still possible.

Click here for more weather.

A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer after the Boro v Leeds match last night.

Middlesbrough lost by a single goal to leave them teetering on the brink of the relegation zone.

Three branches of Virgin Money in the North East have been named among 22 to be closed around the country as it also cuts 500 jobs.

The bank will shut its outlets at West Street in Gateshead (pictured), Durham Road in nearby Low Fell, and Prince Edward Road in South Shields.

Sixty posts will go at the firm's headquarters in Gosforth in Newcastle.

Image source, Google

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Leeds move back to within four points of Championship leaders West Brom thanks to Mateusz Klich's strike at Middlesbrough.

It blocks automatic release of convicted terror offenders and will affect about 50 prisoners.

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