South Stockton MP James Wharton has been appointed minister responsible for the Northern Powerhouse at the Department for Communities and Local Government.

First elected to parliament in 2010 Mr Wharton, aged 31, is a rising star in the Conservative's ranks and his North East constituency makes him an ideal choice to help drive through chancellor George Osborne's flagship plans to rebalance the national economy - by encouraging growth throughout the rest of the country – especially in Labour's industrial heartlands.

Mr Wharton was instrumental in calling for the Tees Valley City Deal which came into effect on 16 June 2014.