THE North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) has called on the Government to back regional business with investment in order to increase contributions from the North East to UK PLC.
Weak growth over the last three years has led the region’s largest business membership organisation to caution against cuts to areas with the potential to provide economic stimulus, and instead prioritise funding towards areas with the potential to unlock economic growth.
“The North East’s capacity for development should be a big competitive advantage for the region,” said NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham.
“While we welcome planning reforms, the impact has been limited.
“Local authorities have faced heavy cutbacks and prioritised planning and development to bear some of these cuts, affecting performance and undermining the effect of Government policy.”