Unlocking the North East: Progress so far
Date published:
Although it is still early days since our latest Policy Plan 2025-2027, ‘Unlocking the North East’, below is an attempt to summarise our progress, so far, on the six Policy Pillars in the plan:
Unlocking the North East Economy: Progress So Far Across the Six Policy Pillars
As the North East Chamber of Commerce’s Policy Plan 2025–2027 begins to bed in, early momentum is already visible across each of its six pillars. While much of the work is still in its foundational stages, the first months have seen purposeful partnership-building, sharpened advocacy, and clear alignment between businesses, educators and public bodies. Below is a brief update on progress to date across all six pillars.
1. Securing Quality Jobs of the Future
Delivery continues to strengthen around employer-driven skills. Local Skills Improvement Plans are helping colleges shape provision around real labour-market demand, while the Chamber has been vocal—particularly ahead of the 2025 Autumn Budget—in calling for Apprenticeship Levy reform and expansion of programmes such as Made Smarter. Work has also started on designing a regional social value framework, and recent Chamber events have focused on economic inactivity and mid-life MOT initiatives, signalling a joined-up approach to boosting participation and career longevity.
2. Capitalising on the Net Zero Journey
Momentum is building across the region’s clean-energy clusters. The Chamber has begun engagement sessions with businesses in renewables, hydrogen and carbon capture, with peer-to-peer low-carbon learning networks now in development. Efforts to strengthen the circular economy are also underway through regional case-study sharing. Meanwhile, sustained advocacy continues on grid capacity upgrades—long acknowledged as a barrier to unlocking major private-sector investment—as well as speeding up connections and pushing for incentives for green innovation.
3. Connecting the North East, Physically and Digitally
Transport and digital infrastructure remain high priorities, and the Chamber has continued to champion major schemes including the Leamside Line, the Washington Metro Loop and Teesside station upgrades. Alongside this, its role within digital-skills partnerships under the LSIP framework is helping to spotlight cross-sector digital capability gaps. Advocacy for full-fibre and 5G rollout remains central, with early collaboration underway with local authorities to tackle persistent rural connectivity challenges.
4. Championing an Internationally Trading North East
Internationalisation work is accelerating, with networks now being built between exporters, universities and public institutions to help strengthen global partnerships. The Chamber is also working closely with the Department for Business and Trade and the British Chambers of Commerce on digital trade training and SME export readiness. Advocacy for frictionless trade continues, informed by renewed national discussions on EU relations and emerging new trade agreements.
5. Creating the Conditions for a Healthier, Happier North East
A strong health-and-productivity agenda has taken shape. Coordination is underway with combined authorities and NHS trusts on workplace-wellbeing programmes such as SHINE and Move Forward, and the Chamber itself has achieved SHNE accreditation. Early work on a cross-sector wellbeing campaign aims to highlight the connection between health, skills and productivity. In parallel, the Chamber continues to draw attention in policy forums to the impact of child poverty on education and economic performance.
6. Driving Inclusive Growth through Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
The Chamber’s Social Equity Forum—already active—has become a central convening point for businesses seeking to embed EDI practices. The regional rollout of the Workplace Equity Commission’s recommendations is progressing, supported by employer case studies. EDI is also being further embedded into the Chamber’s own operations and advocacy, signalling a commitment to modelling the change it seeks across the regional economy.