Ben Houchen: My advice to the Prime Minister. Go green for more jobs in the Red Wall – and double down on levelling up.
The fourth piece in a ConHome series this week on the Prime Minister’s Reset Moment – and what should follow from it.
Ben Houchen: The North Sea must be at the heart of Britain’s net zero revolution
By offering strategic support to new industries, the Government can honour its promise to ‘level up’ the nation and turn the UK into a global leader.
Ben Houchen: Freeports are a key priority for the North
Creating these low tax zones, where importing and exporting are made easy, wouldn’t just mean new jobs. It would show a long term commitment to our new supporters.
Ben Houchen: The Conservatives are the party of towns
The image of large swathes of the north, as a post-industrial wasteland, filled with abandoned Victorian terraces, isn’t just wrong and offensive. It’s actively dangerous.
Ben Houchen: Which candidate will show leadership on free ports?
From South Carolina to Singapore, and from Dubai to Dalian, growth is supercharged by creating areas inside a country, which fall outside of its customs border.
Ben Houchen: Free Ports would allow leaving the EU to boost the most deprived regions of the UK
The new Shared Prosperity Fund, which will replace EU funding into the regions, is a great opportunity to put areas like mine back in control.
Ben Houchen: An “Amazon Tax” won’t save the high street
Shopping online will remain a popular choice. But reforming Business Rates is the best way of helping hostelries and independent retailers.
Ben Houchen: Brexit. We need Project Fearless – and it starts with freeports. Let’s kick off with one in Teesside.
Yesterday, I wrote to the Chancellor with the support of 50 of the biggest and most established businesses in the Tees Valley, to call for a pilot scheme.
Ben Houchen: Why I will not increase the Council Tax in Tees Valley
Our local Labour councils already charge an arm and a leg, and I will never add to that burden. Sometimes the best powers are the ones you don’t use.
Ben Houchen: How I will promote economic growth in Tees Valley
Brexit will provide new opportunities for the north-east to export across the world.
Ben Houchen: Say it loudly, say it proudly – the North East is winning
Why does Labour always run the region down?