UK2070 Commission launches regional inequality task force on Teesside

A Teesside task force has been set up to support the UK2070 Commission – an independent inquiry into regional inequalities in the UK.

The UK2070 Teesside Task Force will support the commission’s long-term aspirations for a major increase in the number and quality of job opportunities in the North East.

It will look in particular at the potential of freeports, steel, hydrogen and the wider net-zero agenda to boost opportunity for people living across the Tees Valley.

Chaired by Lord Kerslake, the UK2070 Commission is making a call for evidence from all interested parties on four key issues:

• The key issues facing Teesside: economic, social, environmental and political
• The main opportunities for the Teesside area;
• The resource and institutional requirements to tackle the problems and release the opportunities;
• What successful projects and initiatives have been developed in Teesside that might be replicated.

Submissions should be made by December 4 2020 with the findings of the commission being submitted to Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and the Combined Authority, and Government by spring 2021.

Lord Kerslake said: “I am delighted to make this announcement today with Mayor Houchen on formation of the UK2070 Teesside Task Force.

“This is the first of a series of UK2070 task forces that will focus on places.

“The commission welcomes the opportunity to understand and learn from the Teesside task force programme.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “It is absolutely essential that we boost the Tees Valley’s economy, that’s why I have put freeports, green steel making, clean and carbon capture technologies at the centre of my plan for jobs, a plan that is delivering good quality well paid jobs for people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool right now.

“I welcome the UK2070 Commission Teesside Task Force’s focus on our region and I look forward to telling them about my plans to create jobs.

“As we continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we secure the investment that will create the jobs we all want to see come to our region so that local people can have more money in their pocket for them and their families.”