GORDON Brown will never be able to do enough to satisfy all of us.

With health and education still in desperate need of investment, a transport system branded the worst in Europe, and manufacturing in the doldrums, the Chancellor has a long queue of people at his door with begging bowls.

After this newspaper's long-term campaign to bring NHS waiting times in line with Europe - particularly with regard to heart bypass surgery - we welcome the massive investment in health which is widely anticipated in today's pre-Budget statement.

The time for a radical overhaul of the health system in our country is long overdue.

But Mr Brown must also recognise this region's need for help to save its ailing manufacturing industry.

The strength of the pound against the euro, coupled with the destabilising effects of the September 11 atrocities, has piled further pressure on the North-East's manufacturers.

Hardly a week goes by without The Northern Echo having the sad duty to report further job cuts and this week sees the closure of the Sanyo factory at Newton Aycliffe, with the loss of 284 jobs.

The North-East is famous for making things - we have a flexible workforce capable of competing with any in the world - but growth and innovation must be encouraged by Government investment in enterprise.

Yet again we call on the Government to see that it can no longer blindly stand by the woefully out-of-date Barnett Formula which discriminates against the North-East when it comes to Government funding being allocated.

Decades ago, when the formula was devised, Scotland was in need of particular help. Now it is the North-East - the Prime Minister's own backyard - which must be the priority.

It is a call we have made time and time again and will go on making because the Government's position is untenable - the Barnett Formula was meant for another economic era

Today is the perfect opportunity for the Chancellor to display the kind of flexibility which he expects of industry.

Adapt to the times, Mr Brown - adapt to the times.