How the North East can build back better after coronavirus

In the final part of our series for the Passionate People, Passionate Places campaign, we ask business, political and charity leaders on how the region can return better after the coronavirus outbreak

“The last few weeks have really reminded us of what 'quality of life' really means. Sometimes you have to lose something to appreciate its full value. Here in the North East we know how to face challenging times but we also appreciate that we have so much human potential and such a great region in which to live. How many of the North East diaspora who thought the bright lights were in London or other major commercial centres have yearned to be back in here during lockdown? How many will decide to return permanently bringing their determination and flair home with them? If more working from home is an essential part of the ‘new normal’ – let us all ensure that ‘home’ is the North East.”

James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East England Chamber of Commerce

“We've suffered under investment for too long. It's time to change that. Companies want to shorten their supply chains, so let's support local firms to do that. Let's get large companies to relocate here, bringing well paid jobs. Let's work with our universities and colleges to get people the skills to build a strong low carbon and digital economy. Millions of people have been working from home, and big companies I'm talking to are realising they don't need expensive offices in London. And with more virtual meetings now, being close to Heathrow is less important. With investment, we can have the fastest, cleanest transport system in the country. I'm pushing Government to get the hundreds of millions of pounds they promised in the Budget. We can extend the Metro, connect our towns with superbus routes, and roll out a massive uptake of e-bikes. The North East has beautiful coast and country, and vibrant cities. You can live in a house with a garden, instead of a postage stamp in London. Our internet infrastructure is better. We can do skilled service jobs here, and export via the internet. Let's develop a thriving local cultural sector, and make this the best place to live, study and work. It's a bold plan, but that's what we need.

North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll

“Going back to the old way of doing things won’t work. During lockdown, we’ve seen innovative companies in the North East transition quickly from A to B, expanding markets and growing their customer base. While other businesses are poised, desperate to open, start trading and getting Newcastle buzzing again. As a city we too have the same opportunity to transition. The key lies in making the city centre as attractive as possible – both the offer and the environment. What’s needed is new, convenient ways to travel into and around the city - and making sure change happens quickly. Change creates opportunities…let’s collaborate, be ambitious and think big!”

NE1 chief executive Adrian Waddell

“The coronavirus recovery is an opportunity for the North East to rebuild better than before. Yesterday I took part in the clap for key workers, as I, and millions of others have every week during the lockdown. Coronavirus has shown how underappreciated our key workers have been over the past decade. The North East has an above average number of key workers and 37% of the workforce in Newcastle are classed as key workers. Coronavirus has proven that they are not low skilled, just low paid, and the recovery is an opportunity to give them a pay rise. We must rebuild our regional economy with high skill, high wage green jobs for the future. Before lockdown, I led a debate in parliament on electric battery recycling and why the North East would be perfect for research and recycling plants, there are now talks of ‘gigafactorys’ and hydrogen powered bus fleets. The EU is planning a €350bn green recovery plan, the UK should do the same. These are the opportunities of tomorrow and the North East can lead the world! In the North East, we are known as a passionate people and our friendliness and solidarity has shone through, throughout lockdown we have done a fantastic job of supporting each other, particularly the most vulnerable members of our communities. Newcastle City Council spoke to 97% of the city’s most vulnerable people by the first week of May and provided the support and care that they need. Moving forward we need to keep checking in on our friends and family and reach out to anybody that find themselves isolated and lonely.”

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central

“We all know our region is the best place to start, run and grow a business. The way businesses have responded to the challenges of the coronavirus and the innovation shown is testament to this. Let’s keep shouting about how bloody brilliant our region is and drive a new entrepreneurial revolution.”

Simon Hanson, North East development manager, Federation of Small Businesses

“Coronavirus doesn’t have to equal mass unemployment and a poorer, meaner country. We can do what the post-war generation did: grow our way out of this crisis and build a better life for everyone. At the heart of regional economic strategy must be good jobs. Jobs in a reborn UK manufacturing sector. Jobs in a social care sector finally getting some respect. Jobs in the green tech of the future with a just transition for workers. Let’s rebuild our region through hard work, determination and investment in all our futures – not cuts to spending, deregulation and tax breaks for millionaires and bosses.”

Beth Farhat, TUC Northern secretary

“It is ironic that one of the effects of the lockdown has been to make us appreciate even more how beautiful parts of our region are and how warm our people and communities can be. So when this is over – and it will end – I hope the next Government will invest in the regeneration of our seaside and coastal towns, to continue the good work that has been done in some areas, like mine, and to give everyone, whether from the region or further afield, the opportunity to enjoy our heritage and environment.”

Sir Alan Campbell, MP for Tynemouth

“As we move from crisis response into recovery we have an opportunity to create a more equitable and inclusive society. Over the past few months, staff at Changing Lives have been supporting people in hostels, refuges, prisons and while doing outreach, helping to alleviate the pressure on the NHS. Like so many other essential key workers, these are the people who have been traditionally paid the least, who we now rely on more than ever as they deliver front line services. The level of skill needed, the patience, the understanding and trauma faced is greater than most of us would ever imagine we would face in our day to day work. As charity leaders we must challenge this head on in the new world to ensure much greater equity and recognition across all sectors and all organisations. If we want the ‘new normal’ to be inclusive and challenge inequality, we must also – quickly - find ways of listening and learning from people who are most marginalised; we need to allow in those who might not previously have been included in leading change.”

Stephen Bell, CEO of Changing Lives

“The crisis has seen our communities come together to support each other in a really powerful way. We need to keep that community support network in place and build on it going forward to truly transform the lives of those facing food poverty and isolation. Educational disadvantage is a huge challenge for our region too. The outcomes gap between children from poorer and wealthier backgrounds was already growing before the crisis and the closure of schools seriously risk stretching it further. A catch-up premium has cross party support in our region and we should supercharge efforts to ensure every pupil in our region is given the tools and the support to ensure they can thrive.”

Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North

“Recovering from Coronavirus will be an enormous task over many months - even years - but it also gives us a golden opportunity to create a better, fairer city with improved quality of life. We are already taking a radical approach to transport by introducing more opportunities to cycle and walk which will move us forward in achieving our ambition to be a carbon neutral city by 2030. We have worked tirelessly throughout this crisis to protect all businesses in the city. By doing so we have built the foundations for our economic recovery; an approach that will allow us to accelerate our progress towards a green economy and provide new, modern opportunities for our residents, including those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic."

Newcastle Council leader Nick Forbes

“One of the things the Coronavirus Pandemic has shown us in the North East is that the technology now available allows many people to work much closer to home than previously thought. We should look to fracture Government departments and encourage large businesses to move hundreds of jobs to towns in regions such as ours. This would help to breathe life back into our local economy. To do so we must ensure that transport and digital infrastructure is brought up to standard

Ian Lavery, MP for Wansbeck

“Already in North Tyneside we have seen some great examples of businesses changing their business models so they can adapt to the challenges. In the coming weeks and months ahead North Tyneside Council will be supporting and working with businesses, big and small, to help them adapt, through our Restarting Business in North Tyneside campaign, in partnership with the North Tyneside Business Forum. Having seen the incredible community spirit of North Tyneside during our response to the pandemic I am confident that together we can build back better. ”

North Tyneside mayor Norma Redfearn

“There are many opportunities for the North East to position itself as a region able to cope and recover with downturns and position itself as a place that can lead the ‘new normal’ ways of working and re-establish growth. The opportunities for green growth are particularly important to realise as people have now become accustomed to travelling less and causing less pollution, supporting their local communities, and developing more secure, local supply chains. As a region with a large manufacturing sector, ensuring the best access to markets for goods produced in the region will be ever more critical. As the North East is one of the few places in the country without a Strategic Rail Freight connection, remedying that would increase local competitiveness and improve our low carbon credentials by removing more traffic from the road network. The crisis has created opportunities for new markets to be exploited, not just in diversifying into supplying new products to support the healthcare sector, but also in producing components and parts that would otherwise have been sourced from abroad. We have also seen encouraging signs of more firms collaborating and innovating, for example at NETPark. Direct grants to support businesses to retool and retrain to meet and retain these markets would sustain or grow many businesses. The Government needs to accelerate the Shared Prosperity Fund as a replacement to EU funding in order to overcome deep-rooted economic weaknesses and national economic imbalances. SPF or an additional grant funding programme is needed at a level that is proportionate to meet the existing growth needs and address any longer-term sectoral issues. In the longer-term, the Government needs to recognise the diverse roles of local authorities in supporting society, businesses and local economies and ensure that councils have fair levels of funding for all their activities, including infrastructure.”

Durham County Council leader Simon Henig

“The lockdown created a situation where many of our members, some for the first time, resorted to using such web-based communication tools as Zoom and LinkedIn. While there will always be a need for face to face meetings, many realise how effective these methods are – allowing them to easily connect and network with other businesses and customers worldwide. I believe the continuing use of these applications can help business in this region break free from geographical constraints and promote their skills and lower cost base to win new business and create more jobs.”

Jonathan Lamb, chief executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum

“Inequality has long scarred our regional economy; coronavirus has deepened these scars. The recovery for areas where small businesses rely heavily on tourism such as my gorgeous home of South Shields will be difficult but not impossible. I have long argued for a bold and radical rethink of our town centre, so it becomes more of a creative space where people gather and socialise as opposed to just shop. That coupled with the right training opportunities, transport infrastructure, employment opportunities in much needed housebuilding programmes and a more favourable environment cultivated by the Government for manufacturers would ensure that our local economy not only recovers but actually thrives post pandemic.

Emma Lewell-Buck, MP for South Shields

“We've been working hard to support businesses through this crisis, and actively lobbying Government to bring further measures forward to help sectors such as tourism. Tourism is a major economic driver in Northumberland, contributing over £1bn and attracting over 10m visitors last year. We know that given the current circumstances this will be greatly reduced this year. However we are continuing to work with our tourism businesses to ensure that, when the time is right, visitors will be welcomed back. We've already invested significantly in a new digital offer for tourism in Northumberland, as well as developing a new brand and marketing campaign. This matters more than ever and is critical to our recovery, and we're poised and ready to go to ensure that Northumberland continues to be a destination of choice. We're determined that our county's tourism economy will come back better and stronger, and working with partners and businesses, we'll do everything we can to promote all that is great about Northumberland."

Peter Jackson, leader of Northumberland County Council

“The Passionate People, Passionate Places campaign is about broadcasting what the North East has to offer to the widest possible audience. When the current sad and almost surreal situation comes to an end, we need as a region to be ready to capitalise on what will surely be a national yearning, to get out there! And from my perspective there is no better place in the whole of the country, to do just that.”

Ian Mearns, MP for Gateshead

“Investing in transport infrastructure will make a huge difference in helping Blyth Valley and the region recover economically from coronavirus. Detailed survey work is now under way to restore passenger rail services on the Northumberland Line. This will provide connections into Newcastle and onto the Metro network from three stations in my constituency at Blyth Bebside, Newsham and Seaton Delaval. I am also pushing for an improved service from Cramlington rail station on the East Coast Main Line. The combination of these schemes will vastly improve accessibility and opportunities with the Northumberland Line expected to result in economic benefits of up £470m.”

Ian Levy, MP for Blyth Valley

“We need: Metro improvements; money for small businesses including shops to reopen; more money for our schools; more investment in public services; more parks for children/youth clubs for older children; more social housing/improvements to existing social housing; and investment in libraries and community centres – a great source of leisure.”

Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow

“The Coronavirus pandemic has been hugely challenging for the North East. Alongside the tragic human cost of the virus, we now face a difficult period for the economy, manufacturing, and jobs. If we are to come out of this period stronger than before, the Government needs to properly invest in the region – and that is especially the case when it comes to transport. Thousands of people without cars rely on public transport for their jobs and their social lives, and whilst providers slowly build back up to pre-crisis levels, they will need sustained support from Government. In the longer term, it’s essential that the Metro is extended to Washington (and other places) in order to meet the future needs of the region and allow access to major employers such as Nissan and IAMP.”

Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Sunderland West

“There is much to celebrate about the North East; it’s a fantastic place to live, work and visit, and the Passionate People, Passionate Places campaign encapsulates our pride in our region. We have high ambitions to continually boost our economy, attract investment, enable businesses to thrive and our residents to prosper. From our flourishing tourism industry and tight-knit communities, to rich history and heritage and game-changing industrial developments, our region has so much to offer and this campaign will enable us to collectively tell our story to the wider world.”

Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council

“Sunderland is reinventing itself, with more than £100m being invested in Riverside Sunderland, a new urban quarter that will kick off the transformation of the city centre. Coupled with a wider programme of regeneration at the heart of the city, and in surrounding communities including the arrival of new leisure destinations at our seaside resort, Seaburn, we really believe that ours is a city that will grow its reputation as a place to visit and enjoy. With stunning parkland and beaches, along with a transforming city centre and a range of fantastic visitor attractions from the National Glass Centre, to the Museum and Winter Gardens, there’s something for people of all ages and interests. As more families take the opportunity to explore what’s on their doorstep, we’re looking forward to welcoming them to Sunderland.

Sunderland Council leader Graeme Miller

“Once the Covid-19 crisis is over, I believe that it is vital that we build on the wonderful, heartwarming, solidarity shown by so many people towards our key workers and the vulnerable members of our communities. In the City of Durham, community groups (both established and new), businesses and individuals have played a vital part in providing meals, PPE equipment, friendship and so much more. I have been so proud of these projects, from local schools creating and donating PPE, community associations supporting their villages, local businesses providing free food to key workers and food banks, to individuals fetching supplies for their neighbours. I've also had the pleasure of working with our local Labour Party branches in raising money to support some of our most vulnerable people. This community spirit is something we should be proud of and look to build on. Another aspect of this crisis is that families have realised that being together and looking after their mental and physical health is so important. People have done this by enjoying our countryside, finding new hobbies, or even just making time for each other. It is vital that as we go forward, we cherish and develop these newfound activities and passions. In order for this to happen we must do two things. Firstly, develop and properly fund our voluntary and community sector who already provide much needed health and wellbeing services in local communities. Coronavirus has shown the value of these sectors and the support for them in society. We must build on this momentum. Secondly, as many of us have been working from home or been furloughed, the importance of balancing work and home life has been highlighted. We must address this issue by re-examining our current working practices and recognise the value of a shorter, more flexible working week, that prioritises the needs of the worker. While it is important that we all contribute to society according to our skillset, we must move away from the idea that people live to work. People need time to enjoy life. Coronavirus has shattered many aspects of our society, but rather than destroy our communities it has strengthened them. We should add to this foundation and rebuild society around these ideals of togetherness and solidarity. In the North East we have always had a strong community spirit, yet we have lacked the investment in these communities. We have learned a lot about inequality during this pandemic, and the Government has spoken a lot about ‘levelling up’ the region. Well now is their chance and I’ll be pushing for a better deal for our communities and workers.”

City of Durham MP Mary Foy

“It’s important now more than ever that we work collaboratively with our neighbours to promote key investment opportunities across the North East to a wider audience. Strong partnerships are essential for the region’s economic recovery after the coronavirus outbreak, so we can support local people and create more and better jobs.We’re continuing to grow and build for the future with partner's support. A full planning application has been submitted for a £260m arena, conference and exhibition centre which is being hailed as the flagship recovery scheme for the region in terms of regeneration and jobs. If agreed, it will create over 1100 jobs with an additional 650 created during construction phase.”

Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon