NE1 Chief jubilant as North Eastern MP appointed Minister for Levelling Up

The Chief Executive of Newcastle's Business Improvement District NE1 has praised the appointment of Greg Clark as Minister for Levelling Up as Boris Johnson resigns.

A huge re-shuffle is underway after more than 50 MPs quit their roles in Government to force the Prime Minister out.

One of those new appointments is Greg Clark as Minister for Levelling Up.

Levelling Up is the government scheme that looks to award funds and investment to local projects championed by MPs in their region.

Mr Clark has served as the MP for Tunbridge Wells since 2005 but was born and raised in Middlesbrough.

The MP attended school on Teeside and is the son of a milkman and Sainsbury's worker.

It is Mr Clark's links to the North East that has left NE1 Ltd Chief Exec Stephen Patterson positive for the future.

He said: “What is of vital importance for the city and the region is that we have an effective Government, capable of making decisions and following through with commitments given to date.

"The appointment of Greg Clark as Minister for Levelling Up is a positive move. Born in Middlesbrough, he served previously as Minister for the Department for Communities and Local Government, and more recently as the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

"It is a brief he is familiar with, and one I trust he will be up to speed and running with post haste. With the cost-of-living crisis and the need for the economy to bounce back from the pandemic, we need certainty and progressive policies that quickly address the most pressing issues at hand.”

Geordies will be familiar with the NE1 company, seeing their logo and branding at many points throughout the city.

The group represent over 1,400 businesses in the Newcastle city centre and work in their best investments to secure investment and amplify needs.