CIVIC leaders and business chiefs have given evidence to the Parliamentary select committee tasked with scrutinising the Government’s Brexit plans.

The Exiting the EU Committee was in the region to look at what the implications of withdrawal are for the North-East.

Among the issues covered were what Brexit means in terms of opportunities and challenges, and what the North East wants the Government to prioritise in the process.

Committee chairman Hilary Benn said: “The committee was formed about a month ago and we have been taking evidence in London, but we decided early we wanted to travel around because Brexit is going to affect every part of the country, everybody’s lives and businesses.

“Given Sunderland and the North-East exports a lot to the European Union, there are a wide range of businesses, the economy has seen a lot of change and regional development funding is so important, we thought we would come up here first.”

The evidence gathered will form part of the Government’s inquiry into the UK’s negotiating objectives for withdrawal from the EU.

Richard Baker, head of strategy and policy at North-East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Ongoing access to the Single Market and priority recognition within a new visa/immigration system is of widespread importance and vital for the growth of the North-East’s smart specialisation sectors.

“There should be increased support for trade missions, particularly with a regional or Northern Powerhouse flavour, and for businesses attending international trade shows.

“The region’s business voice and economic interests should be heard in the Brexit negotiations and the expertise of North-East business leaders utilised.”

The committee also heard from John Elliot, executive chairman, EBAC and representative of Business for Britain in the North-East; Ross Smith, director of policy at the North-East England Chamber of Commerce (NECC).

During the hearing in the Council Chamber at Sunderland City Council, the committee took oral evidence from Councillor Paul Watson, the leader of the Wearside authority, and North-East Combined Authority chairman.

He said: “It gave us the opportunity to expand on some of the things that clearly were in the thoughts of the MPs.

“For a long time we’ve asked to have a voice in the discussion and the debate and this was an important opportunity to do just that.”