Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“Today’s Budget confirmed the biggest transfer of powers and resources from Westminster to the North East in a generation. The Chancellor has listened to my calls to back our region with a new integrated settlement, which means we as local leaders can invest in the priorities that matter to people in the North East.
“The Government is backing our plans to create manufacturing jobs in the North East, with investment in our car industry and potential in electric vehicles.
“I’m pleased the Treasury has listened to my calls to save the £25m investment in the Crown Works Studios, so we can unlock 8000 jobs and build a creative powerhouse on the banks of the River Wear. That means jobs for people in a range of industries, from hairdressers, electricians, make up artists, to set designers and script writers.
“Taken with new powers to help people back into work, the Budget means new jobs, new training, new homes and new opportunities for people in the North East.
“The first Labour Budget in 14 years will unravel Tory decay, give us the tools to tackle child poverty and put us on course to make the North East the home of real opportunity."