HC Deb 18 December 2003 vol 415 c1006W
Mr. Hepburn

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department is taking to promote wealth creation in the North East. [144736]

John Healey

All areas of the UK are benefiting from a stable macroeconomic framework, and the measures to promote entrepreneurship and set out in the pre-Budget report.

Regulatory and VAT reforms could benefit 15,700 businesses in the North East: Better access to advice and finance could assist up to 33,000 SMEs in the North East; 72,000 people have been helped into work in the North East by the New Deal.

There has also been an indicative allocation rise, from £227 million in this year to £240 million in 2005–06, for the North East regional development agency to promote wealth creation in the North East.