• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

Prominent North East figures join call for positive devolution debate

Screen Shot 2015-12-07 at 16.11.54More than 50 leading figures from the worlds of business, charity and academia have offered their support to North East Says Yes! campaign in the two weeks since its launch.

North East Says Yes!, a campaign to generate ideas to get the most from the Northern Powerhouse initiative and the North East Devolution Deal, which was agreed between the Government and seven North East council leaders, and is about to be the subject of a major public consultation, has been warmly received by leading figures in the region’s business community, third sector and academic institutions.

The group recognises that North East Devolution, together with the Northern Powerhouse, represent a major turning point in the affairs of the region and a major new opportunity which we should seek to exploit to the maximum.

Supporters of North East Says Yes!; including former North East MEP Mo O’Toole, Centre for Life Trust Chairman and former senior economic advisor to the treasury Alastair Balls, Dr Joanna Berry of Durham University’s Business School, and Entrepreneurs’ Forum Chairman Nigel Mills, have lent their public support to the Devolution Deal and have been invited to contribute articles to northeastsaysyes.org, an online platform specially built for the campaign.

The campaign’s co-founder Jeremy Middleton said: “It’s great to see the support North Easy Says Yes! has already attracted, and the diverse range of backgrounds its supporters come from. When the North East gets devolved powers they can’t just be handed from Westminster politicians to local politicians, power has to be shared with the people, in a way that has the backing of our whole community.”

Co-founder Alastair Balls said: “Devolution is a real opportunity for the North East to reach its full potential. To get the most from the Northern Powerhouse and devolved powers we need people from every background, every political persuasion, and every sector to contribute good, positive ideas.”

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By admin