Call to run a project in York, North Yorkshire & East Riding to support managers and individuals to aid progression within the workplace for those with mental and physical health concerns.
The Exchequer Secretary, Simon Clarke MP, visits Tees Valley today (13 September 2019) to explore how the Treasury can ensure towns and cities across the country enjoy the opportunities ahead as the UK leaves the EU.
On the third stop of a nationwide tour, he will discuss ambitious plans to boost jobs and growth with Middlesbrough mayor, Andy Preston.
In last week’s Spending Round, the Chancellor Sajid Javid announced additional funding for the £3.6 billion Towns Fund, and Middlesbrough, Darlington, Redcar, Hartlepool and Thornaby have all been shortlisted to benefit.
Mr Clarke will also attend a roundtable on sustainable plastics, providing an opportunity for local business leaders to voice their ideas on the design of a world-leading plastic packaging tax and other ways to tackle plastic pollution and waste.
The minister will also tour a plastic recycling company to see how waste management can operate in practice. Tees Valley has a long standing plastics industry, and the government wants to see businesses like these leading the way in developing sustainable solutions to plastic waste.
Speaking ahead of the trip, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Simon Clarke, said:
We are committed to boost areas like my home region of Tees Valley, through huge investment for transport, businesses and jobs and by supporting the clean-up of the former SSI site.
I look forward to hearing innovative ideas on how to boost growth in the Tees Valley – as we look to the future with a new optimism, in part boosted by this potential multimillion pound investment from the Towns Fund.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said:
Any money is great, especially a lot of money.
We’ve got big, bold plans to make great things happen here, and the Towns Fund will really help with that.
Mr Clarke is championing 45 places across the Northern Powerhouse, which could now benefit from the government’s commitment to level up all regions by boosting productivity, skills and living standards.
Since 2015, Tees Valley has been benefitting from £450 million of additional government funding from its devolution deal. In addition to £75.5 million from the Transforming Cities Fund to boost transport across the region.
Responding to today’s report by the National Audit Office (NAO), Susan Acland-Hood, the CEO of HM Courts & Tribunals Service said:
We are pleased the NAO has recognised the progress we have made towards a more accessible and efficient justice system. More than 300,000 people have now used our online services, and two new service centres are making it easier and quicker for all to access help.
This is an ambitious and challenging programme but it is already making a significant difference. We will continue to listen and learn, working closely with our stakeholders to improve and ensure reform delivers the full benefits to all those who use our justice system.
Within this progress update report, the NAO makes four recommendations:
The implementation of these recommendations, which are already being acted upon, will help HMCTS to continue to strengthen the way it delivers the reform programme.
Published 13 September 2019
The Prime Minister will today reaffirm his pledge to give even more powers to people, businesses and political leaders across Northern regions.
In a speech in South Yorkshire, he is expected to reiterate that he remains committed to delivering the Sheffield City Region Deal – and to opening up negotiations with Leeds and West Yorkshire.
The government will also create a new Northern Powerhouse growth body to drive forward the region’s economy, and with the powers to bring together major organisations working in the region.
A Chair will be appointed to head up the body, working closely with the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse. Speaking to local business leaders, mayors and councillors, the Prime Minister is expected to say:
It is time that we gave more people a say over the places where they live, and it is time that we gave you the proper ability to run things your way.
We are going to maximise the power of the north. And we are going to make sure that it is people here who are in control over the things that matter to them.
On entering Downing Street, the Prime Minister made it his priority to level up and unlock the potential of every corner of the UK – not just London and the South East.
Last week on a visit to Yorkshire, he reaffirmed his commitment to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail. The first step will be the Manchester to Leeds route, with detailed plans published this autumn, following the review into HS2.
The new route is expected to cut journey times significantly and provide additional capacity for people across the region.
Today the Prime Minister will reaffirm that one of his top domestic priorities will be to give more powers to local leaders to ensure communities are in control over the things that matter to them, such as transport, infrastructure and housing.
He will conclude his speech by saying:
If we succeed in levelling up opportunity across our country, and if we truly put the power in your hands, then I believe you will do for the North – and for our whole country – what the railways did two centuries ago.
That is the true potential of this Northern Powerhouse Partnership. And this is a Government that will back you to deliver it.