On 11 September, Mayor Kim McGuinness wrote to the Chancellor ahead of this year’s Autumn Budget, setting out the region’s priorities and making the case for investment, devolution and stronger public services across the North East.
In her submission to Government, the Mayor argued that regions should be given more control over decisions affecting their local economies and communities, backed by long-term investment and meaningful devolution.
The Mayor highlighted three immediate priorities:
- improving affordable local transport;
- giving the North East greater powers over skills and post-16 education to tackle high levels of young people not in education, employment or training; and
- delivering fiscal devolution so more money raised in the region can be reinvested locally.
The wider submission also set out proposals to support housebuilding, strengthen local government finances, invest in major transport projects including the Leamside Programme, boost the region’s green energy sector, attract inward investment and create a new £500 million North East Growth Fund.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “My immediate priorities are clear. First, we need to improve local transport so people can get around on a world-class public transport network that is affordable, integrated and easier to use.
“Second, every young person deserves the best opportunities in life. That means giving the North East greater control over skills and post-16 education, investing in apprenticeships and creating great jobs. It also means proper investment in support for young people in every community, including local youth provision, so that every young person has the chance to succeed.
“Third, we need fiscal devolution so that more of the wealth created in the North East stays in the North East and can be reinvested locally. Any new settlement must be fair and give our region the resources it needs to succeed and grow.
“Alongside investment in jobs, housing and growth, these changes would help us build a stronger, fairer region. My message to the Chancellor and Prime Minister is simple: back the North East with the right funding and investment, trust us to deliver, and give us the tools to unlock the opportunity and pride our communities deserve.”
The Mayor’s submission to the Chancellor includes further detail on the North East’s priorities, with proposals on transport, skills, housing, energy, investment and fiscal devolution.
Read the Mayor’s Budget submission and letter.