The OECD predict the U.K. will have the biggest economic downturn and that is before brexit

There's no reason for it to involve tax increases, growstuff, taxation doesn't fund spending, don't forget.

Any money created to invest in the NE (and other regions) would come back to the government anyway through taxation. The only money that wouldn't come back straight away would be any that was saved, and, sadly, profits of large companies squirrelled away in tax havens or 'assigned' to parent companies not registered in the UK. (Which would be a compelling reason for using local companies/UK registered companies). There must be large scale infrastructure projects, such as the Metro extension and dualling the A1 past Newcastle, which would feed the investment back into the local economies by way of wages and services. There should also be green projects, too such as expansion of green energy sources, insulation programmes, fitting solar panels to housing.

Not to mention investment in health and social care...

It would all put money into the local economies and, as I said, would most of it come winging back to the treasury through taxation.

Of course, that was what Roosevelt did to revive the US economy in the 1930s with his New Deal.

It has been shown time and time again that it is money from the state which drives growth and prosperity. See Mariana Mazzucato...

Something radical will have to be done else, between Covid and no deal Brexit there will be millions out of work.

I fear you are right gillybob. It would cost billions to level up the North East, as promised. It depends how many votes the Conservatives think it will win in four years. It would involve tax increases for the English shire Conservatives and I've heard it's already causing tension.

You've become a political pawn.

I really hope that your business can hang on.

It’s terrifying Whitewave.

I have 5 quotes out for work right now. All are telling me that they are very happy with the price and that they are just waiting for the “go ahead” from the powers that be ........ it seems that everyone in industry is kind of holding their breath and reluctant to take that leap of faith .

I have already seen a few small businesses fold and to be honest we are hanging on by the skin of our teeth . I know of at least 3 large employers who will be making large scale redundancies once the furlough scheme ends .

I’m sorry to bring Brexit into this thread but this, together with Covid will see the North East and some other industrial areas decimated . All very depressing .

As you say, many European countries including ourselves, have a mountain to climb, where the economy is concerned over the coming years.