Member Article

Lord Adonis to head North East LEP review

The North East’s Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) has commissioned a review into the region’s economy.

Lord Adonis, the Labour transport secretary, will lead the report into required improvements for the North East and aims to turn the local economy around.

Plans to turn the North East into a strong economic force will be headed by a panel made up of regional business leaders and experts, including the chief executive of Northumbrian Water, Heidi Mottram, former editor-in-chief of the Observer, Will Hutton, and the Right Rev. Justin Welby, the Bishop of Durham.

Six months will be spent examining issues in the area, before the results are presented to Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, who has put his support behind the scheme.

He said: “There is enormous potential for growth in the North East …The region has a proud history of manufacturing and sectors like this are an important part of the North East’s economic future too.

Mr Clegg explained the need to emphasise areas in the UK outside of London. He commented: “For too long the UK economy has been focused on the City of London, ignoring the potential powerhouses of North-East cities. This region is a place where business can thrive, where things are built and made, I want to see much more of this.”

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) responded to the plans announced on Monday.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive of NECC said: “I would urge businesses to support the North Eastern LEP and get behind this economic review. It is our opportunity to be ambitious and have a major say in shaping the future economic priorities of the North East.

“NECC supports and applauds the aims of the review, but it is important that it is completed and ready to be put into action as soon as possible. In the meantime the LEP is involved in other important initiatives such as the Growing Places fund and maximising the potential of the Enterprise Zone.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .