NORTH-EAST industry leaders and politicians attended a meeting to discuss how policy can help businesses be more competitive.

Led by Hartlepool MP Iain Wright, chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, the group looked at how firms and, in particular, the manufacturing sector can be supported by the Government’s emerging Industrial Strategy.

Mr Wright said: “With the UK in the process of leaving the EU, it is now more important than ever to have a strong voice for local businesses and means by which they can connect with policy makers.”

The event, organised by Invicta Public Affairs and hosted by Newcastle-based law firm Muckle, included businesses from around the North-East, such as Emergya Wind Technology, the North East Automotive Alliance, Komatsu UK, Banks Group and Nifco UK.

The companies were able to provide insights on how energy policy can best support manufacturing in the region while also balancing the need to protect supply and meet national carbon reduction targets agreed by Government.

Chi Onwurah, Newcastle Central MP and Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, said: “The UK’s Industrial Strategy should include a vision for the kind of economy we want – and that must include successful manufacturing industries with sustainable competitive energy supply.

“The roundtable was extremely useful in developing the policy approaches which can enable that.”

Andrew Davison, Partner at Muckle and head of their energy team, added: “We were delighted to host the meeting.

“We are working with a number of businesses regarding energy generation and efficiency.

“It is important we work with opinion-formers and business leaders in the region to help get the changes we need in policy.”

The discussion will feed into the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee’s wider examination of the Government’s Industrial Strategy.