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Embracing the Electric Car Market

On Friday Nick visited Romag in Consett, County Durham, to see a solar car parking canopy it has developed, which could be used to charge electric cars while they are parked, using the sun’s rays.
“I am really inspired by what I have seen this afternoon. I do feel the North- East could become a [...]

Strong Support for Nick’s Work for the Region

As part of the Government’s drive for greater regional accountability, a Regional Select Committee of MPs for the North East has recently been established. As part of their first meeting in Gateshead today, they quizzed regional business leaders on the Government’s response to the economic downturn. There was strong support for Nick’s work as Regional [...]

Advancing Opportunity in the Regions: The Future of the North East

The following is Nick Brown’s introduction to the Smith Institute publication “Advancing Opportunity in the Regions: The Future of the North East”, which was published today.  The complete publication can be found here.
During the last two decades, no English region has done more to help itself than the North East. Comparative studies of the English [...]

Minister Visits Booming Port

Coverage in the Shields Gazette of Nick’s visit to Port of Tyne last week is available here.

Speech to the North East Economic Forum

WHEN WE MET A YEAR A GO IN THE LEGEND’S ROOM AT MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB, I USED THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE CONFERENCE TO SET OUT MY AIMS AND AMBITIONS AS THE NEW MINISTER FOR THE NORTH EAST AND TO SAY WHAT I HAD ALREADY DONE.
WHAT I WANT TO DO TODAY IS TO REPORT BACK [...]

New National and Regional Economic Councils

Last week the Prime Minister announced changes to the structure of the Government to better equip the country to face the world banking crisis. As the Minister for the North East, I am looking forward to the opportunity to put the interests of our region at the very heart of Government.
We must work together for the [...]

£300m Investment Programme for the Metro

This summer marks the first anniversary of my appointment as Minister for the North East. It’s been a productive year. Making the case for job opportunities to be based within the region, for the area to build on its reputation as the UK’s centre and leader in green technologies, and doing what I can to [...]

Improving Local Government in the Region

As part of my role as Government Minister for the North East I’ve had the chance over the past year to see how much the region has changed and how forward-looking our new economic base is.  
I’ve visited the New and Renewable Energy Centre out at Blyth – one of the world’s leaders in the fight [...]

Ensuring a Future for Northern Rock

The global credit squeeze is having an effect right across the developed world. In this context, the Government must not take risks with our country’s banking system – that is why the Government has been supporting Northern Rock since last autumn. The objectives are to protect the hard-fought-for economic stability of our country and to [...]

A Strategy to Make Our Region the Healthiest in the Country

Last Friday I had the privilege to speak at a conference of health care professionals at the launch of the North East’s first ever health and well-being strategy.
The strategy’s vision is for our region to have the best and fairest health and well-being, and to be recognised for its outstanding quality of life. It aims [...]