AS part of The Northern Echo's new Level Up North-East campaign, we asked Tees Valley Mayoral candidate Jessie Joe Jacobs what she believes is needed from Government to truly level up our region.

Sustained and Committed infrastructure Funds

"Places like Teesside can't be made political pawns given sweets at election time, instead we need permanent allocated funds for transport networks, new green industries, training and jobs via a northern infrastructure bank.

"I don’t want the future of Teesside to be at whim of who is blue eyed boy or girl in a political party. I along with the other mayors of the north will lobby for a genuine Northern powerhouse, with the powers and resources to bring about genuine change."

Genuine investment in the jobs of the future

"We need a £1billion green industry fund to support the bringing of an electric car battery and fast charging tech gigafactory to Teesside and support an expansion and solar and wind farms.

"That should be supported by funds for employment and skills support to train people for the new future-proofed jobs, with green skills apprentices, technical education and training courses.

Funding for new green homes

"We must be given more control and funds to develop low carbon affordable houses for rent and to buy. It is shameful that key workers and carers are living in damp and shoddy accommodation.

"We need a concerted effort to build new houses to high standards and low carbon to help challenge the climate emergency and invest in retro-fitting existing houses to be more efficient, using less power and making them cheaper to run."