THE Northern Powerhouse minister has said devolution deals can make different parts of the North-East “brothers in arms” – as he made an embarrassing gaffe by referring to the River Wear as the Tyne.

MP Jake Berry, Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth Minister, was speaking on the issue as he visited County Durham and Sunderland yesterday.

The minister visited the New Wear Crossing in Sunderland as well as NetPark, in Sedgefield, where he also heard about regeneration projects in Durham city.

Mr Berry said devolution deals in the Tees Valley and North of the Tyne, the details of which are expected to be announced before long, would leave County Durham in a “good position”.

He said: “It leaves Durham in a very good position to continue with its success.

“Devolution is not the only game in town.

“What we’ve seen with the Tees Valley and North of the Tyne, if that is completed, that all the areas around the devolved mayors get the benefit.

“It’s not setting North of the Tyne or Tees Valley against Durham, it’s making them brothers in arms.”

He added: “No areas of the North will be left behind in the Northern Powerhouse.”

Seven North-East councils had been in talks to secure a devolution deal but following decisions by Durham, Sunderland Gateshead and South Tyneside not to progress, a scheme with Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumbria looks set go ahead.

As Mr Berry hailed the New Wear Crossing, which represents an £82.5m government investment, the minister slipped up by referring to it as a bridge over the Tyne.

He said: “We are about two years into the construction of this iconic structure but it’s not just about new buildings and new roads, it’s actually about the message it sends to everyone who lives here.

“The historic, first time for 40 years crossing of the Tyne will not just help Sunderland but will also release growth all along this south bank.”

On his first official visit to County Durham, the minister heard about Durham County Council’s and Business Durham’s work in generating new jobs in the area and private sector work.

The Lancashire MP visited NetPark, which aims to provide a supportive environment to accelerate the growth of innovative high tech companies in global markets.

The local authority also highlighted its work with the private sector, including the “de-risking” of the building of the Freemans Reach project in Durham, which resulted in the safeguarding of 1,200 jobs at National Savings and Investments Ltd and HM Passport Office, and the nearby Milburngate House redevelopment, an £160million investment.