Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Caterpillar in Peterlee with our North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness. As part of Labour’s mission, I’m dedicated to promoting a strong partnership between business and government, which is essential for securing new investment, driving growth, and creating jobs in East Durham.

Caterpillar plays a crucial role in our local economy, employing around 900 people in my constituency. Labour understands that every town and city across the country has a significant role to play in our economy’s success. That’s why we are committed to transferring power from Westminster to our regions, empowering communities like ours to shape their own futures.

The government has promised to decentralise decision-making, putting power into the hands of those who know their areas best. I am hopeful that with more decisions being made here in the North East, we can attract more businesses, investment, and jobs to our region.