One North East will not be "run down" states Vince Cable

May 28 2010 by William Green, The Journal

BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable has no intention to “run down” the region’s development agency, The Journal has been told.

Liberal Democrat MP Ian Swales has revealed the future of One North East came up during a meeting with Mr Cable this week.

The developments come as the Journal’s Case for the North East campaign has highlighted how the region is much stronger with a united voice.

Fears had been raised that the regional development agency would be scrapped by the new coalition Government.

But Redcar MP Ian Swales said Business Secretary Vince Cable had spoken warmly about the agency. “He did give very positive words about One North East and confirmed it was not the intention to run down One North East.

“He did mention other development agencies in other parts of the country that are closing,” said Mr Swales.

Mr Swales said regional development agencies in other parts of the country did not do the same economic work as One North East.

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has also promised not to “ride roughshod” over support for the region’s development agency.

But funding for One North East could face further cuts with the country entering an “age of austerity”, signalled the Tory Cabinet Minister.

The Liberal-Conservative Government has put forward proposals to establish “local economic partnerships” led by councils and business.

But they could be set up on a regional basis if there is sufficient backing for such a system.