QUALITY of life in the North-East could be improved if the Government accepts recommendations set out in a new report.

The North-East Assembly has looked at tourism, skills and training, small business survival and business sites and premises, in a bid to find ways of encouraging development in the region.

It is the assembly's second report and makes proposals to Government and regional development agency One NorthEast to overhaul bankruptcy laws, to enable smaller firms to restart after going bust, and to address the stigma of failure attached to the North-East.

To enable the region to capitalise on tourism, the assembly wants the Government to make resources available to put the North-East on the tourism map and for One NorthEast to encourage more companies to build bigger hotels and leisure facilities.

It would like to see the regional development agency working with local learning and skills councils to promote a culture of lifelong learning among adults and wants funding for training.

For small businesses, the report said trading conditions should be improved so more people are encouraged to become their own bosses.

The assembly would like One NorthEast to assess the provision of business sites and premises and introduce programmes to ensure a range of large and small are available to meet demands.

Bob Gibson, chairman of the North-East Assembly, said: "I believe the assembly is making a valuable contribution to improving accountability and regional governance in the North-East.

"Recommendations flowing from it require positive action by central government, as well as by a range of partners collaboratively at the regional level."