Chamber response to King’s Speech
Date published:
Chamber chief executive John McCabe said:
“There were number of strong signals in today’s King’s Speech that have the potential to set an important legislative agenda ahead.
“Our members will be pleased to see a greater commitment to devolution. Further, faster devolution presents a key opportunity for the whole of the North East area. Having more decisions made locally with more control over funding will help to drive the stronger, fairer growth to which we all aspire.
“The government’s proposed focus on planning reform is also very welcome. Planning delays are a key barrier for our businesses looking to invest and deliver: reforms to support growth and, crucially, housing will unlock investment and activity. The commitment to Local Growth Plans which will feed into a national industrial strategy could put in place a framework to accelerate investment and unleash pent-up demand.
“To really deliver for the North East we need to see a focus within the industrial strategy on growing the green sector by recognising the key role this region can play as an enabler of national growth and deliverer of the net zero transition. The establishment of Great British Energy and the sustainable aviation fuel bill could present an important opportunity to grow the North East’s energy sector, for example.
“The proposed commitment to reforming the Apprenticeship Levy is welcome. This was one of the Chamber’s key election calls: we will consult with our members on the detail of the new Growth and Skills Levy once it is available. We will join this up with conversations about the New Deal for Working People and the employment reforms this is likely to entail. Our members know good work, work that is secure and well-paid, is central to a more inclusive North East. They look forward to being part of the conversation.
“Now’s the time for the region’s businesses, charities and its public sector to work in partnership with government and with the region’s mayors to deliver on a stronger, fairer North East.”