MPs call for backing for Revolution

Jun 12 2009 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

NORTH-EAST MPs have called on the Government to back the Great North Revolution.

Launched this week by the Evening Gazette, our sister paper The Journal and the Confederation of British Industry, the campaign to transform the economy of the region has already prompted one to table a Parliamentary motion, which quickly gained support yesterday.

Among the first signatories to the Early Day Motion from Blaydon MP Dave Anderson, was Stockton South colleague Dari Taylor, who has championed new energy technologies on Teesside.

“The North-east is leading, by research and development, the manufacturing opportunities of biofuels and bioethanol, IT and carbon capture,” she said. “These are critical developments that will define tomorrow's growth economy in the Northern region.

“The talented scientists who lead these various manufacturing opportunities are highly thought of within industrial and government circles.

“There's little doubt that within a growth economy, they will develop for the North-east, tomorrow's high-tech and energy based economy.”

New energy is among the five most promising areas of economic development identified by the CBI - this area alone could create and preserve thousands of jobs by building on the region’s existing expertise in off-shore, chemical and heavy industrial sectors.

Other key areas are healthcare, digital media and creative industries, low carbon transport, and new materials and processes.

Mr Anderson said: “I was very pleased to see the launch of the campaign and immediately thought it was right to table a Commons motion in order to build up awareness on all sides of the House.”

The Great North debate is taking place on line at nebusiness.co.uk/revolution where you can also view the Revolutionaries video starring the campaign’s enigmatic android NE31.