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21st Nov 2016

Looking ahead to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

Looking ahead to Wednesday this week when the Chancellor gives his Autumn Statement it presents a great opportunity to make clear that the North East of England is open for business.

Since the abolition of air passenger duty (APD) in Scotland, airports across the border have become much more attractive to the tourist and business markets alike. It’s important that we send a strong message to the international community that we’re serious about facilitating business travel to, and investment in the region. Reducing or scrapping APD for business travellers, altogether, would be a step forward.

The benefits of the Government’s flagship High-speed infrastructure projects seem remote to us in the North East. Given the timescales and geographical reach of the plans, it is difficult to envisage economic improvements in the North of the country. The Chancellor should give reassurances that business across the UK will reap rewards from its investment programmes.