The Chancellor delivered his budget. He continues to insist he is doing ‘whatever it takes’ but again failed to set out a recovery plan that deals with the North East’s unique challenges. The pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on our region. Over one third of children in Newcastle East are now living in poverty, unemployment is rising, and health inequality is widening. The Conservative’s way forward was a freeport proposal but we’re not getting one. I continue to urge the Government to tackle the systemic causes of child poverty in Newcastle, deliver a proper plan for quality jobs and challenge the growing health inequalities between people born in the North East and in London.