DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg has pledged his support for the “heroes of industry in the North-East” as the Government attempts to rebalance the region’s economy.

Speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo on the launch of the Fighting Back series, Mr Clegg admitted that the country faced tough times.

But he claimed that the private sector is showing signs that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“I am delighted that The Northern Echo has taken the initiative and given me the opportunity to celebrate the heroes of industry in the North- East,” said Mr Clegg.

“These are not easy times, but businesses in this region and across the country are showing us that there is a brighter future ahead.

“Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been created in the UK over the past six months, and the Government is determined to create the right environment for the private sector in the North-East to thrive: creating jobs, developing skills and ensuring that the whole of the UK has the opportunity to share in the country’s future prosperity.”

This month’s Fighting Back focuses on Middlesbrough, the UK town which is widely regarded as the worst equipped to survive savage public sector spending cuts.

However, that assessment tells only part of the story – some firms in traditional industries, and the emerging digital sector, are thriving.

Mr Clegg said: “The coalition Government is determined to end our economy’s reliance on a single square mile in London and ensure growth is balanced across all the sectors and regions of the British economy.

“I look forward to reading in The Northern Echo about the region’s business success stories, and I hope that some of the initiative and ambition of these firms is replicated across the country.”

However, a report by research group the Centre for Cities said that the recovery will be unevenly spread across the country.

Leeds, Milton Keynes and Bristol were among those areas bouncing back, but some places, including Middlesbrough and Sunderland, need extra help to create jobs.

Centre for Cities chief executive Alexandra Jones said: “It’s time these places had new financial freedoms such as full control over the local business rate, and new powers to raise money. They could also benefit from having London- style mayors.

“These cities will need realistic plans of action to ride out the spending cuts and create jobs – but they will also need additional financial support from central Government.”