Can the North East ever hope to close the North- South divide? Does the region even have the ability to try? Former Labour minister Nick Brown makes the case for the North

THE largest single question facing our region is its employment base. I want for our region a broad choice of well-paid private-sector jobs so that we can enjoy levels of prosperity similar to the South East of England.

The need to grow, deepen and broaden the North East private-sector employment base is the biggest challenge we face. There isn’t much disagreement about this between the political parties. The issue is how to go about it.

The difference of view is between advocates of the economic development approach that was adopted by the last Labour government and advocates of the new localism approach that is adopted by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

There is also a difference of opinion within the Labour Party between those who want to accept the Conservative government’s structures and build a whole new localism on top, and those like me, who want a leaner, more fit-for-purpose structure focused on strengthening our region’s economy.

Our fellow citizens do not want to be overgoverned by a ‘jobs-for-the-boys’ plethora of committees, working groups, co-ordinating bodies, consultative exercises that go on forever and never do anything. The North East Regional Assembly referendum sent a clear message to the political class.

What is wanted and needed is a front-facing organisation that can help to deliver the jobs and prosperity we need. The tragedy of all this is that we used to have the North East Regional Development Agency, which the Conservatives and Liberals abolished when they came to power in 2010.

The single Development Agency has been replaced by a large number of initiatives, incorporating Local Enterprise Partnerships, Combined Authorities, Leadership Boards, Enterprise Zones, City Deals, Regional Growth Funds and Local Growth Deals. All the while, Westminster ultimately holds the purse strings.

In any event we have spent the last four years quarrelling over structures, so much so that the means have become an end in itself. This talking a bold game and never playing it is what puts people off politics.

Grandiose claims about thousands of jobs to be created at some time in the future are met with cynical disbelief by our fellow citizens.

The more so since the people making the claims can never say where the individual jobs will actually be.

The government has also recently announced the money to be allocated to local areas through its Local Growth Fund. The North East has done relatively well, however, the point North East Labour MPs consistently make is that this is nowhere near enough money to make the substantial progress necessary for the region to catch up with the South in terms of jobs and pay. In the North East the recent announcement is expected to create 4,000 jobs. These are of course welcome, however, it does not put us on course to create the 60,000 extra privatesector jobs in the region by 2024, which is what is required.

The Labour Party front bench recently announced their proposed regional development policy, should they win the next general election. This is essentially an acceptance of the current government’s structures, but with commitments for greater devolution and the retention of business rates.

North East Labour MPs have recently met the Labour Party front bench to make the case for the region. We have repeated the view that our constituents aren’t impressed by lofty initiatives and grandiose promises – what they want, and what we need, are for well-paying sustainable jobs for our region.

The North East is a special case and Labour MPs made it clear to the Labour Party front bench that we expect more from a Labour government than a lot of warm words and a continuation of the Tory policy for the region.

North East MPs also recently had our latest in a series of meetings with Greg Clark, MP, the minister for cities. With the Local Enterprise Partnership and the new North East Combined Authority in attendance, we explained how the government’s structures make it difficult for MPs, as well as for business people in the region to lobby for the projects that will bring jobs. Following this meeting a commitment has been made to work to set up better engagement structures.

This is at least a step in the right direction.

One further point – the need for a regional minister. Governance is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each has retained its ministerial presence. The ministers act as leaders and advocates for their areas. I saw at first hand how effective this could be under the last Labour government.

We made the system work for us and we could do again. The need for effective action is now.