Labour leader vows to get North East building again at Chamber event
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Some of the region’s leading businesses and organisations met with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at the Chamber’s sold-out President’s Lunch last week.
During his live televised speech, Starmer told Chamber members that he will work with the region’s businesses to get the North East building again, as he called for a “renewal” of the region.
He said his party “understands the potential that lies in regions like this”, and added that the job of government is to “provide the businesses, communities and people of this nation with the conditions to succeed. A fundamental deal, that we serve the country, while you drive it forward.”
Starmer visited Sunderland-based business Clearly Drinks before addressing over 200 of the region’s most influential businesses at the Chamber event at Wynyard Hall, Billingham.
John McCabe, Chamber chief executive, said: “We’re grateful Sir Keir reached out to the region’s businesses at such a critical time for our economy. Our Chamber’s priority is the creation of a stronger, fairer North East, and active engagement between business and politics is crucial in achieving this.
“Our members were encouraged to hear him speak positively on long-term plans for transport, as well as skills, net zero, and a modern industrial strategy.
“The businesses Sir Keir met show this region can, and should, be integral to national economic renewal. Investment in the North East is a down payment on future growth.”
During his speech, Sir Keir outlined his three-step plan which would benefit North East businesses and grow the region’s economy.
He said: “Step one – we will get the North East building again. We will take on the blockers that hold a veto over British aspiration. Wherever Labour finds barriers to British success – we will bulldoze through them.
“Step two – a new direction for skills. Because a future must be trained as well as built. £120bn worth of economic output could be lost by 2030 if the needs of businesses are not met. We will transform our further education system, and provide more connections to Local Skills Improvement Plans.
“Finally, step three – a modern industrial strategy. We will provide the institution, the incentives and above all, the stability you need to invest in our future.
“You need a government that gets involved. That rolls up it sleeves and works together to invest in the crucial infrastructure the North East desperately needs.
“The battery gigafactories that will protect electric car-manufacturing in Sunderland, the hydrogen and carbon capture technology that can provide an industrial future for Teesside, and the ports that can finally handle large industrial parts, so the East Coast can lead the world in offshore wind.
“This is what the King’s speech should be about. A national mission to get Britain building again and grow our country from the grassroots.”
He added: “Britain needs a plan to expand the country’s productive capabilities, but at the same time, to change who benefits.
“A Britain where growth comes from regions like this and serves regions like this. With infrastructure built more quickly, young people’s potential backed, the jobs of the future in your town. A Britain with its future back.”
Starmer took questions from Chamber members on creating good, long-term policies that deliver for the country, clean energy and offshore wind, and ensuring that the voice of business in the North East continues to play its part in shaping future strategy. He also presented the Chamber with the UK Chamber of the Year 2023 award.
Chamber president and Newcastle Building Society chief executive Andrew Haigh shared regional challenges during his speech, and highlighted the huge potential around future investments in the North East.
Liz Bromley, chief executive officer at NCG, shared the importance of employers and educators working together for regional success, and the work North East colleges have been doing to create employment opportunities for students.
The President’s Lunch took place on 3 November and was sponsored by NCG as well as our large business associate sponsor, Learning Curve Group.
Image caption: (l-r) Andrew Haigh, Chamber president and chief executive at Newcastle Building Society; Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party; Liz Bromley, chief executive officer, NCG; and Brenda McLeish OBE DL, CEO at Learning Curve Group.