Chamber applauds strategy’s backing for North East talent, infrastructure and innovation
Date published:
In reacting, Rhiannon Bearne, deputy chief executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce, stated:
“The North East Chamber of Commerce welcomes the new Ten Year Modern Industrial Strategy as a major step forward in delivering clear-sighted, long-term commitment to our region’s unique industrial assets. From our established strengths, in advanced manufacturing and life sciences, to our emerging leadership in clean energy and creative clusters, it is clear that the voice of North East enterprise has been heard loud and clear by the heart of government.
“The alignment with the emerging local growth plan priorities for both the North East and Tees Valley Combined Authority areas appears strong. We are particularly pleased to see confirmed investment for local innovation partnerships in the North East Combined Authority area and support for the creative investment zone in Tees Valley worth £160m over ten years. The government’s emphasis on using institutional levers like the National Wealth Fund and the Office for Investment to unlock the private leverage necessary for large-scale change and growth is also welcome. Across our nearly 2,000 members business stands ready to respond. Putting skills front and centre – the human capital which drives growth and enterprise – at the heart of the Strategy is also great news for the North East and our wealth of talent.
“Underpinning this the government appears to have tackled a key foundational issue for business – seeking to reduce energy costs and tackle grid infrastructure, a change we have called for consistently as part of our plan for a stronger, fairer North East.
“We must now move quickly from theory to reality. Our members and the skilled and passionate people they employ are keen to see projects like the Leamside Line – connecting Gateshead and County Durham – and the Crown Works Studio in Sunderland move forward at pace and the Carbon Cluster including the exciting Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage project in Teesside up and running as soon as possible.
“We look forward to remaining at the heart of the debate and helping government and enterprise turn the Strategy into action.”
Following the announcement of the Spending Review on Wednesday 11 June 2025 and the Infrastructure Strategy on Thursday 19 June 2025, the Government today, Monday 23 June 2025, published its 10-Year Modern Industrial Strategy.