Newcastle and Gateshead have secured one of England’s first City Deals following detailed negotiations with the government and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.
The agreement gives local leaders important new tools to unlock investment, support development and create employment. It is a significant step forward in our efforts to secure greater local influence over Newcastle’s economic future.
Since returning to lead Newcastle City Council last year, Labour has been determined to win new powers and resources for our city rather than wait for decisions to be taken in Whitehall.
Newcastle’s ambitions require long-term investment as well as immediate help for residents and employers. We are using the council’s land, planning responsibilities and relationships with regional and national partners to turn major proposals into deliverable projects.
The City Deal will help us unlock stalled development and support the infrastructure needed to attract further investment. However, our ambitions go beyond new buildings and headline financial figures. Regeneration must also create employment, apprenticeships and skills opportunities that are accessible to people across Newcastle.
For residents, the most important questions will be how many jobs are created, whether local people can gain the skills needed to compete for them and whether the investment strengthens the wider city economy.
This agreement is the beginning of a long-term programme. We will work with our partners to move from today’s announcement to delivery, monitor the use of public investment and ensure Newcastle receives lasting value from the deal.
We will also continue pressing the government for further powers and investment. Newcastle has the talent, institutions and ambition required to succeed, and decisions about our economic future should increasingly be made here in the North East.
Labour Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Forbes said:
“This landmark agreement shows what Newcastle can achieve when we make an ambitious case for our city. Labour has fought to secure new powers and investment because we want to create good jobs, unlock development and ensure local people benefit from Newcastle’s growth.”