One North East

Labour claims we want to “scrap” One and cut funding.

While we would transfer powers to different bodies this will not impact on overall available funding. Instead, it will be better targeted to meet local needs.

It has also been suggested I should not have called for One to suspend its recruitment of a new chairman, a post paying over £80,000pa for a three-day week. I am not trying to subvert One’s work as it currently exists, but it would be sensible to hold back on filling the position until after the General Election.

This will save public funds, which might otherwise be spent securing our regional economy.

Finally, your headline gave the impression that Sir John Hall was backing plans to abolish One. Sir John has agreed to lend his experience and expertise to a new Tees Valley Shadow Local Enterprise Partnership.

We hope in time this body or its successor will take over some of the activities which One currently runs from Tyneside.

As for his view on the abolition or otherwise of One, I am not aware he has publicly spoken out on either side of the debate.

James Wharton, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Stockton South.