THESE are very early days in David Cameron's second term in power but we are cautiously encouraged by the early moves towards the North-East.

Putting the likeable, Middlesbrough-born Greg Clark in charge of the Department for Communities and Local Government was a good start. After the divisive Eric Pickles, the only way is up.

We have also welcomed the promotion of Stockton South Conservative MP James Wharton as the minister leading the Government's Northern Powerhouse initiative.

In our Jobs and Business pull-out tomorrow (Wednesday), Mr Wharton insists the North-East will play a crucial role in delivering the promises of the Northern Powerhouse.

We hope that proves to be the case because, as things stand, the Northern Powerhouse is little more than a vague label as far as the North-East is concerned.

In the North-West and Greater Manchester, it has substance. In our region, the meat is not yet on the bare bones of a plan which is meant to address the prosperity gap between the north and south of the country.

There is much for Mr Wharton to do. Firstly, he must work with key figures and organisations to specify the devolved decision-making powers the North-East really needs to maximise its potential. If the North-East is going to be critical of the vagueness of the Northern Powerhouse, then the North-East cannot be vague about the powers it wants.

Then, Mr Wharton must make sure that the North-East's two main regeneration bodies, Tees Valley Unlimited and the North-East Local Enterprise Partnership, are truly working together for the good of the whole region.

A powerhouse can only be successful if it generates real power – and uses it to produce results.