FEATURE
Talking business – prime minister Rishi Sunak chats to Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in the Darlington Economic Campus .
“ We will continue to work together to maximise the benefits of the freeport and bring the best of innovation and global connectivity to the region .”
Train tour – local MP Paul Howell gave Rishi Sunak a tour of Hitachi Rail ’ s factory in Newton Aycliffe earlier this year . unwavering in his support for the Tory mayor ’ s flagship policy .
“ Teesside Airport is , of course , important for the region and clearly people are voting with their feet , with passengers almost tripling year-on-year for carriers such as Ryanair , who now operate from the airport ,” he insists .
Before he goes , we ask the prime minister for a parting message for the Teesside business community .
Oh , and we couldn ’ t help slipping in a cheeky question about whether he ’ s come across Tees Business magazine .
“ Firstly , I want to thank the Teesside business community for the incredible work they ’ ve done throughout the pandemic and in the years since , when we ’ ve felt the economic knock-on effects of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine ,” he replies .
“ I want them to know that this government is on their side . I demonstrated that throughout my time as chancellor and I continue to do so as prime minister , whether that ’ s through our £ 13.6bn package of support for business rates to support vital high streets and small businesses , or through our Energy Bill Relief Scheme , which is already providing £ 18bn of support for businesses , schools , charities , and others through the unprecedented spike in energy costs .
“ On regional business publications , it will come as no surprise that I think they play a huge role for any local business community , and I ’ m glad that I ’ ve been able to contribute to Tees Business as it continues that important work .”
With that , Rishi Sunak ’ s moved on to other pressing matters , knowing that the polls suggest he has a mountain – or even a red wall – to climb if he ’ s to win the next general election . And he ’ ll be acutely aware that the Tees Valley is crucial to his chances of hanging on at the top .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 27