The North East’s largest business organisation has urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to invest in the North East as a way of helping the UK out of its economic malaise.
The North East England Chamber of Commerce has written to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget on March 15, calling on him to commit to greater fiscal devolution and high-quality education which targets local skills needs. The Chamber has taken up the four Es of Mr Hunt’s recent economic plan - enterprise, education, employment and everywhere - but added three more: energy, exports and everyone.
Despite long-term economic challenges in the North East, the region has been punching above its weight in some areas, and last year was named as the top region in the UK for attracting inward investment. A devolution deal agreed between the Government and seven councils has also offered hope that local people can help drive improvements to the region’s economic fortunes.
