Steph McGovern

way more optimistic than I have in the past about this sense of we are open for business because that is how we're going to solve these problems.

That's how we're going to get growth in the region is if we get that investment to do business.

And I, you know, I'm not stupid.

I obviously know that, like, there has to be more than, you know, some canapes in number 11.

But it's it, but it does feel like there's, you know, I remember the Northern Powerhouse and all the plans for that, which just that, you know, the...

And again, that was lots of us being told.

Even when the BBC moved north, I remember this whole thing where I met with the then-DG of the BBC for this breakfast and there was all stuff around that.

But I just...

I don't know.

This has just felt like for the first time in ages, just a bit of optimism about this genuine collaboration.

However, I think you're right.

I get why business is mad, because everything that so far the government's done to try and bring in more money is being at the expense of business.

You know, we constantly talk about employment costs, employment rights.

about um the the business rates about the national insurance contributions all of these different things are really hammering the businesses that give all these young people their first jobs that you know it all feeds into itself so and we still haven't got on top of skills and we so yes i'm not but i just yeah i just i i felt like for the first time in ages

that there was a sense of we are going to bring tangible things and it's not just going to be, I've said the word tangible too much in this episode, and it's not just going to be hot air.

On the love of the North East, obviously Keir Starmer's been here as well.

Less bothered about that.

But Nigel Farage has practically moved in.

I mean, he's here all the flipping time.

Yes.