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North East firms are primed and ready to spearhead a resurgent regional economy in 2014, according to the region’s largest business membership organisation.
The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) today publishes its 2014 Manifesto, in which it sets key lobbying priorities to empower business, stimulate growth, create jobs and help the North East become an international gateway for industry.
NECC has pledged to continue championing the North East as a place to live, work and invest and is calling on the Government to back regional business ambition to drive the economy forward.
The Manifesto aims to build on the lobbying successes of 2013, which saw the Government commit to a host of key infrastructure projects in the region, including the creation of a motorway link from London to Tyneside.
There were also positive regional and national announcements on the freezing business rates at 2%, development friendly local plans, regional support for carbon capture and storage, doubling of export support to £50bn, the North Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership’s skills pilot and addressing the issue of NIC for young people.
Dave Laws, NECC President, said: “If 2013 was about repairing the foundations of our regional economy, then 2014 must be about using the progress we have made as a springboard for genuine economic growth.
“Successfully rejuvinating our economy requires local, regional and national organisations to pull together to recognise the potential within North East companies. Creating the conditions in which they thrive must be a top priority and NECC will campaign to ensure it remains at the forefront of national decision makers’ minds.
“The North East is on the up, we are going places and our public and private sectors are demonstrating that we are stronger together and a united force can get things done. The fact that GVA has grown well above the national average at a time of severe public sector cuts is a demonstration of what we’re capable of and that we mean business. We’re closing the gap on the rest of the UK and we’re doing it with our businesses leading the charge.
“Our final Quarterly Economic Survey, published next week, promises more excellent news and there has been fantastic feedback on NECC’s 50 Great Reasons campaign, which provides an amazing snapshot of what is great about our region.
“This Manifesto sets out the policy developments NECC members believe are most critical to enable this to happen. It includes the main changes in national policy needed to get the most from our businesses, but more specifically the changes needed in both central Government’s approach to the regional economy, and the actions of decision makers and public bodies operating within the North East.“
Following consultation with member businesses of all sizes, the 2014 Manifesto represents the actions that regional businesses have called for in order to ensure that the North East’s undoubted potential can finally be realised.
Key Manifesto 2014 priorities:
Champion North East business - We will:
- Address the regional effect following the Scottish independence referendum
- Support Local Enterprise Partnership
- Encourage councils to support business growth despite budget reductions
- Build on our Great Reasons campaign and back major North East events
Developing infrastructure we will:
- Push for delivery of A1 and A19 upgrades and A1 dualling feasibility study
- Campaign for international gateways at our ports and airports and call for excellent East Coast Main Line services under a new franchise
- Call for industrial carbon capture and storage scheme in Tees Valley
- Push for support for unconventional gas in the North East and request that planning and licensing for offshore wind on Dogger Bank
- Push fast rollout of rural broadband, ensuring that locations are prioritised
Supporting competitiveness We will:
- Support development of innovation centres of excellence
- Intensify support for repatriation of manufacturing to the North East as well as encourage greater business involvement in inward investment
- Push for better careers advice and encourage graduate attraction
- More incentives for businesses to employ and train young people
- Make the case for business investment following Regional Growth Fund
Removing barriers We will:
- Press business rates reform and extend exemptions to empty property rates
- Call for fuel duty and Air Passenger Duty reform
- Campaign for North East firms to compete for public sector contracts
- Encourage swift planning process giving the North East a competitive advantage for investment
Mr Laws added: “The Manifesto comes directly from the businesses we represent, covering one-third of the North East workforce, all localities in the region, all industrial sectors and all sizes of business, following widespread consultation.
“Our businesses are leading the recovery. Our exporters, manufacturers, engineers, contact centres, bakers, designers, retailers – the diverse business base that has helped us roll with the punches are the very ones who will drive forward growth, create jobs and make sure that 2014 is another great year for North East business.“