A North East business group has urged the Government to back the region in its upcoming comprehensive spending review.
The North East Chamber of Commerce - which represents about 2,000 firms - says the region could play a key role in helping to fulfil the Government's growth ambitions and has asked for a number of measures spanning business growth, international trade, infrastructure, skills and education and green innovation. Among its main requests are business rates reform, multi-year funding settlements and a revision of the Green Book guidance issued to the Treasury.
The membership organisation is also calling for investment to support business growth through the national industrial strategy and the region's two local growth plans, along with funding for programmes and integrated settlements for the region's combined authorities.
Among infrastructure requests are firm commitments to the reopening of the Leamside Line connecting Tyne and Wear and County Durham; the Northern Powerhouse Rail project linking cities in northern England; continued development of the North East Green Superport and Teesside Freeport, along with investment in the North East's road and rail network.
On employment, the Chamber welcome the Government's recent announcements from the Get Britain Working White Paper - including the North East's new pilot schemes to support young people and those with health conditions. It called for funding commitments beyond 2026 for the region's public, private and voluntary sectors.
In its letter to the Chancellor, the Chamber also called for Local Skills Improvement Plans to be funded beyond 2025 and for action to remedy underfunding in further education as well as simplification of the Growth and Skills Levy to create better access for smaller firms wanting training. And on international trade - which was said to be worth £29bn to the region in 2023 - there was a call for funding and support for SMEs to be able to grow capacity and capabilities.
John McCabe, Chamber chief executive, said: "The comprehensive spending review is a critical moment for the government to deliver on its ambition for economic growth and ensure the North East plays a central role in this mission. While we recognise the fiscal challenges at play, the opportunity, assets and innovation in our region make it a prime candidate to kickstart economic growth."
He added: “Devolution must remain at the heart of the government’s approach. By strengthening local decision-making, we can drive investment and create healthier, happier communities. On behalf of our members, the Chamber looks forward to playing a major role in turning the commitments of the spending review into positive, practical action in for the North East.”
The Government's comprehensive spending review is due to be published on June 11.
