Creating more jobs, businesses, apprenticeships, in the North East, and reducing taxes on the lower paid

We are creating more jobs in the North East
·       Employment is up in the North East by 74,000 since 2010. That’s 74,000 more people who are earning a regular wage and are better able to provide for their families.
·       Unemployment is down in the North East by 35 per cent since 2010. That’s fewer people out of work and more who now can get on in life and have the confidence to plan for the future.
·       In 2016 there were 24,410 more small businesses in the North East compared to 2010 – providing more people with the safety and security of work. We are backing businesses and creating jobs.

We are cutting tax so families are more financially secure

·       Over 1 million more people have more money to take home each month because we have cut their income tax. The typical taxpayer is better off by £905 and 56,000 people will have been taken out of income tax altogether by April 2017.
·       Freezing fuel duty saving drivers in the North East money at the fuel pump. Freezing fuel duty for the seventh successive year, which will save the average driver in the North East £10 every time they fill up the car.

We are helping young people get the skills they need to succeed

·       38,210 apprenticeships started in the North East in 2015/16– meaning thousands of young people can gain the skills they need to get on in life.
·       46,000 more children attend good or outstanding schools in the North East since 2010.
·       We are providing over £140 million in education funding for disadvantaged children in the North East – so they can get a decent start in life. In 2016/17, schools in the North East will receive over £140 million Pupil Premium funding.

We are securing the best healthcare in the North East 

·       There are now 1,100 more hospital doctors looking after patients in the North East than under Labour, ensuring that people receive the care they deserve.

We are investing in the North East

·       Investing up to £556 million to boost productivity and promote growth and jobs across the North of England. The government’s investment in infrastructure will result in an increase of £556 million to Local Enterprise Partnerships in the North of England.
·       Building the Northern Powerhouse. The Government has today set out our strategic vision and next steps to boost productivity in the North – focussing on skills, connectivity, innovation and trade. We will:
o   Work with Northern city regions to explore options for improving Early Years outcomes, attract and retain high quality teachers, improve schools and grow capacity.
o   Support Northern city regions to work with employers and providers to promote uptake of high quality local apprenticeships, and ensure careers advice is employer-led, integrated and meets local needs.
o   Work with Northern city regions to develop innovative proposals for attracting skilled workers.
o   Upgrade the A66 across the Pennines to dual carriageway to improve east-west connectivity, and work to improve the A69 in the short and longer term.
o   Support enhanced collaboration between universities and businesses in the North to develop a business incubator and commercialise research.  

·       Boosting important causes in the North East with the money from LIBOR fines. The Government will use LIBOR fines to provide nearly £1,462,093 funding for good causes across the North East. 

 

o   Great North Air Ambulance Service Charity - £1 million

o   Finchale - £462,093

 

·       Doubling rural rate relief to support small business in rural areas. To remove the inconsistency between rural rate relief and small business rate relief, we will double the rural rate relief to 100 per cent from April- benefitting 210 properties in the North East. 

 

·       Boosting science, research and innovation in the North East. Our £2 billion R&D funding package will provide new opportunities to the North East’s thriving universities and research centres.