We really are all in this together

The work of the Adonis commission has received a largely universal welcome. The report, published last week, sets out a strong, clear and ambitious economic manifesto for the north east, seeking to secure at least 60,000 new private sector jobs. 'More and Better Jobs' is at the heart of the ambition and it is important to note both characteristics; more employment growth is badly needed, and better jobs, seeking to tackle head on the challenge of low pay in the region with the lowest and falling levels of household income in the country.

The review is a clear call to arms for politicians, employers and stakeholders in the region to work together. The lack of a clear, strong regional voice is blamed for the decision to locate the Green Investment Bank in Edinburgh; a single bid backed by a powerful whole Scotland lobby against four local pitches from the north east. The move toward a combined authority, overseeing investment in skills and transport, will clearly be a positive move in presenting that united front and, as such, has more chance of being heard in Westminster and there is much more likelihood of this being effective if that combined local authority voice includes business and stakeholders too.

At the launch of the report, at the sparkling new Vantec distribution centre in Sunderland, there was a real sense of that unity, that there is a collective ambition as articulated in the report, a common purpose to secure growth and prosperity in the region - it is a small region and people here can see and feel very clearly the impact of the failure to do that so far. We really are all in this together.

A report is just that though, a report; albeit with good quality analysis, very intelligent and innovative recommendations. The key challenge, as always, will be implementation. In that the common purpose in the region will be vital, but so will the response of central government.

There are many recommendations that are wholly owned by the region, many are, appreciatively dependent upon a positive response from government. Some of that is happening already, the devolution of transport and skills funding being examples, although many would argue that we could do with more pace and more quantum. There are areas of potential opportunity that still require further action from government, not least getting energy policy right, clear and certain to enable vital investment in offshore wind to progress and create jobs.

There was, for many, a feeling of déjà vu welcoming the report. Cohesion and prioritisation was the mantra of One NorthEast and the key areas for progress look very familiar to the last Regional Economic Strategy. The region has lost three years and it has been a damaging period. That is hugely regrettable. We all now need to get behind this plan and recover from those lost and damaging years as quickly and as strongly as we can.

Kevin Rowan

Regional Secretary

Northern TUC