Millions of cheaper bus trips, thousands of new and safeguarded jobs, support for businesses and £1.87bn in new unlocked investment are detailed in a new annual performance report published by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (North East MSA).
The report highlights delivery on North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ plans for the region, detailing significant progress and investment right across the North East.
Highlights include:
- 100 million cheaper journeys using the Mayor’s Fares across bus, Metro, local rail and Ferry and thousands of free travel passes for young people leaving care.
- The creation of 1,900 new jobs and 600 jobs safeguarded.
- An Integrated Settlement for the region which unlocks £1.87bn of investment.
- Creation of the first region-wide ‘Child Poverty Action Plan’, backed by £28.6m of funding.
- Launch of the UK’s first AI Growth Zone in the region – expected to create more than 5,000 new jobs and bring in £30bn of investment.
- 95 new electric buses in operation across the North East and an additional 32 new EV charge points up and running.
- 1,905 baby boxes delivered to new families.
- 4,000 plus homes ready to be unlocked through brownfield housing programmes.
- Support for 121 SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises to make savings on their energy bills.
- Funding for formal qualifications for 68,000 residents.
- Over 3,000 households helped with energy saving advice, measures and installations.
- £70m North East Fund launched to support local businesses with £7m already invested across 21 local businesses.
- A new £104m package agreed to turbocharge the region’s creative sector – including funding for Crownworks and a new arena at Gateshead Quays.
- Publication of the mayor’s Plan for Green jobs which will create 25,000 additional green jobs by 2035.
- Work to extend the Metro to Washington and re-open the Leamside Line and £10.9m in funding to complete Northumberland Park Station on the Northumberland Line.
North East MSA Chief Executive Dr Henry Kippin said:
“The Annual Performance Report is a great way to show clearly what has been delivered so far across the North East and how this work is benefitting local people and businesses. It also shows how devolution is giving the region greater ability to shape its own future, with powers and investment being used to change lives locally and accelerate growth for the whole of the UK.”
The Annual Delivery Report brings together achievements and practical examples from across North East MSA activity. This includes work linked to major priorities such as the Child Poverty Prevention Programme, the New Deal for North East Workers, and the Mayor’s ambition to create new green jobs, as well as action on transport and bus reform – helping show how regional powers and investment are being used to support opportunity, better jobs, stronger communities and better-connected places.
The annual performance report was discussed at a meeting of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority Cabinet on Tuesday 9 June 2026.
Read the Annual Performance Report here.