A brush with the laws

• Tags:
• business rates
• Draft Legislative Programme
• flexible working
• skills policy reform

Posted by Ross Smith on May 28, 2008 12:12 PM

I've just got back from a meeting with the Regional Minister Nick Brown, who was discussing the Government's Draft Legislative Programme with representatives of business in the North East.

Some crucial decisions affecting the regional economy will be made in the next Parliamentary year, including reform of skills policy and new regional economic development structures.

Meanwhile, proposed laws on flexible working and the option for business rate supplements will also be of great concern to many employers.

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A port in a storm

Posted by Ross Smith on February 22, 2008 10:12 AM

It's hardly surprising that there's a lot of focus on what the future holds for Northern Rock and what the impact will be on the North East economy. It's an incredibly important business that we believe will continue to have a strong future here. But there's a danger that we start to convince ourselves and people in other regions that it is the only business in the North East and the key to our entire future.

But stand in most parts of the North East these days and throw a handful of gravel in the air and you'll probably hit half a dozen successful, growing companies. One of those is PD Teesport, which yesterday received the welcome news that its expansion has been given planning permission, paving the way for 5,500 new jobs.

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Here's the good news...

Posted by Ross Smith on September 21, 2007 10:37 AM

The recent events surrounding Northern Rock, coupled with the news the £500m Energy Technologies Institute won’t be coming to the North East, you might expect am air of ‘doom and gloom’ to hang over the region’s economy.

So here’s the reasons why we should not lose the optimism and ambition that have characterised the region in recent years:

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The Tyne of our lives

Posted by Ross Smith on September 10, 2007 2:27 PM

The radical transformation in Newcastle in the last two decades has laid the foundations for a bright economic future, according to my colleague Simon Hanson who has analysed the Tyneside renaissance for a new report on the state of the UK's major cities.

But he points out that Newcastle will not achieve its full potential unless certain factors that could constrain its growth are dealt with.

Transport is a critical issue - and Simon highlights the need to bring the Tyne and Wear Metro up to 21st century standards to keep the city moving.

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Power to the people

Posted by Ross Smith on September 6, 2007 8:28 AM

A delegation from the North East is today making a crucial presentation on the region's bid to house the Energy Technologies Institute - a new Government research centre being set up for renewable energy development.

The North East Chamber of Commerce has thrown its backing behind the bid. Sustainable energy will undoubtedly be a huge business opportunity for years to come, so having such a pretigious centre in the region can only be good news for the region's economy.

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A-Level playing field

Posted by Ross Smith on August 16, 2007 12:11 PM

Today is a vital day for the future of thousands of teenagers across the North East as they find out their A-level results. These youngsters are among the cream of the region's crop, and we should all be proud of our high achievers.

What would be a tragedy is if large numbers are now lost to the region that nurtured them. So it's incumbent on the region's businesses to ensure we make the most of that talent, whether that be now, or after they develop their skills further at university.

For too long there's been talk of a 'brain drain' in the North East. Such is the changing nature of our economic landscape, with growing numbers of hi-tech and creative businesses, that should no longer be the case. Those 18-year-olds toasting their success today could be the backbone of a soaring North East economy in a decade's time. Let's make sure that's the case.

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Kelly's zeroes

Posted by Ross Smith on July 25, 2007 10:11 AM

The £10,000,000,000 investment in the railways announced by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly yesterday should prompt some concern among businesses in the North East.

That's because she is signalling that passengers will have to provide a hefty slice of that cash - and recent history suggests it is businesses that will be hardest hit.

The type of tickets needed by business travellers can be seen as an easy target because most people who use them simply stick them down on an expenses claim. But these rising costs are just one more thing which makes running a business 300 miles from London that little bit harder.

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The review from the afternoon

Posted by Ross Smith on July 17, 2007 4:39 PM

Among those of us who dwell in the murky world of regional policy, waiting for this afternoon's Review of Sub-National Economic Development has had us on the edge of our seats for days. Perhaps we should get out more.

But now it has finally arrived, the result is not disappointing. Bringing responsibility for economic and planning strategy together is so obviously sensible, one wonders why they didn't do it in the first place - but better late than never.

One NorthEast did a good job with the Regional Economic Strategy, so it seems the right body to carry this out.

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Not in our best interest

Posted by Ross Smith on July 5, 2007 3:43 PM

It's disappointing, though not exactly unexpected, to see interest rates raised once again today - the fifth time in the space of a year.

It's understandable that the MPC has decided to do this - there are enough inflationary pressures in the economy to prompt its members to act.

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The Gord Squad

Posted by Ross Smith on June 28, 2007 7:21 PM

(Ok, so I pinched that title from a newspaper headline, but what the heck...)

Gordon Brown's new structure for Government contains some interesting changes - including some positive-sounding ones. The new Ministry of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform should have a clearer focus than the sprawling DTI, while the creation of a new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills will hopefully put increased emphasis on the need for top-end skills.

It would seem catchy acronyms aren't Mr Brown's forte, alas.

The danger with cabinet re-shuffles is that there is a hiatus over important issues while incoming Secretaries of State get to grips with their new departments. It's to be hoped Hazel Blears at Communities and Local Government is able to reach a swift decision on new unitary councils in Northumberland and County Durham, while Ruth Kellly at Transport comes to a quick understanding of the infrastructure improvements we need in the North East.

As ever, at the North East Chamber of Commerce we're ready and willing to explain to them the priorities of business in the region. Any bets on who will be the first cabinet minister (not counting David Miliband) to visit the North East in their new role?

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Dear Mr Brown

Posted by Ross Smith on June 27, 2007 6:55 AM

If it doesn't steal Gordon Brown's thunder too much, I'll start the North East Chamber of Commerce's new blog on the day he becomes Prime Minister.

It's an appropriate time to start, as we've today sent him an open letter on behalf of our 4,500 members, which sets out our ambitions for this region, and how we believe his Government can support us in achieving them.

Anyone who has followed NECC's lobbying over recent times will not be surprised to see that transport upgrades and skills appear near the top of our priorities. We've also asked Mr Brown to investigate ways to prevent interest rate rises having an adverse impact on investment, and how the planning system can do more to support development.

In the short term, Mr Brown faces some tough decisions on the future of the regional spatial strategy and re-structuring of local government in Northumberland and County Durham.

Although we no longer have a PM from our region, we see no reason why the region's case to Downing Street should carry any less weight. The UK economy needs a successful North East - otherwise it will fail to reach its full potential.

We've made impressive strides in this region in recent years. We're looking forward to hearing how Mr Brown will support our ambitions to go even further and faster in the years to come.

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