THE North East England Chamber of Commerce has laid bare the challenges regional businesses face and what is needed to support them, a month before the Chancellor delivers the Budget on March 3.
In its Budget submission the Chamber highlighted that the region has been under some of the most stringent and long-lasting Covid-related restrictions which had put huge strain on sectors such as aviation, retail, leisure and hospitality.
- The Northern Echo's message to Rishi Sunak: It's time to put your money where your mouth is
- Leaders ask Chancellor to 'get serious' about North East
It set out the expectation the Chancellor would maintain vital Covid support measures and highlights a series of urgent issues that require investment including transport and broadband infrastructure.
Jonathan Walker, Chamber director of policy, said: “Prior to the pandemic, the economic, wealth and wellbeing gaps between the North East and other parts of the country were unacceptable. Covid-19 has only worsened this situation, with the Government’s stated goal of ‘levelling up’ regions such as ours never seeming so important and urgent.
“This Budget must contain measures that will prevent unnecessary business failures and protect jobs until a recovery can be sustained. We need to see significant extension of the Job Retention Scheme, with a tapered reduction of support as restrictions are lifted, an extension of business rates support and continued backing of coronavirus loan schemes."
The Chamber letter said there should be rapid deployment of localised funding through councils for areas that remain in the highest Covid-related Tiers. It also called for a full review of the range of Government support to ensure it no longer excludes large numbers of small businesses.
Further demands include Government specifically mandating all departments and arms-length bodies to place rebalancing at the heart of their spending decisions.
The Chamber also stressed the importance of continuing talks with North East authorities about further devolution and the relocation of senior civil service roles to the region.
The regeneration of the region’s housing stock and refocussing of town centres are also Chamber priorities to support the North East’s position as a vibrant place to live and work.
Mr Walker said: "Our mission is not just to repair the damage done to our economy in recent months. It is to come back stronger."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here